The Daily Campus Life section issued a survey to more than 1,000 students over social media and email to get a sense for UConn students’ feelings on partners, sexual health and sexual orientation as part of a special Valentines Day issue on love, sex and romance. 65% of respondents were female and 33% were male. This issue explores the freedom that comes from talking about all aspects of sex, love and relationships.


The Valentine’s Day Issue: Love, sex and romance
“What’s Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year!”
Leslie Knope certainly said it best. Since being introduced by the television series “Parks and Rec,” Galentine’s Day has been growing in popularity. Simply put, Feb. 13 is a day to celebrate your platonic lady friends, before all the consumerist pomp and circumstance of Valentine’s Day. Honoring our non-romantic relationships is often just as important, if not moreso, than cozying up with our significant others. In Leslie Knope tradition, Galentine’s is celebrated with a breakfast or brunch, but since this year the date falls on a Thursday, why not show your girls how much they mean to you with a few amazing cocktails? Save the leftovers for your V-day plans, and never forget the code — uteruses before duderuses.
“What’s Galentine’s Day? Oh, it’s only the best day of the year,” Leslie Knope, the protagonist in NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” said in the titular episode, “Galentine’s Day.”
Even if you haven’t watched “Parks and Rec,” you’ve probably heard of Leslie’s self-proclaimed, female-centric holiday. In the Season 2 episode, Leslie designated Feb. 13 as an unofficial holiday in response to Valentine’s Day to celebrate women and female friendships, even more so than an ordinary day. It is one of the best examples of how Leslie’s feminist outlook manifested in the show and permeated in ways beyond the screen. Even if the series ended a few years ago, Leslie (played by the equally awesome Amy Poehler), would be happy to know that women all over the world are still carrying on the tradition of cherishing themselves and their female friendships.
There’s a reason why even books that aren’t in the romance genre still have love and relationships present in them, in whatever form. Despite what people may grumble and mumble about a disdain for romance in general or some pretentiousness about romantic literature or “chick lit,” it’s a part of life and books are better for it. There’s something so heartwarming about pretty prose, love interests and well-developed relationships, romantic or platonic. I don’t read contemporary literature as much as I do the other genres, but when I do, I am reminded of the importance of representation and relatability for readers of all identities. Whether you are looking to commemorate Valentine’s Day curled up with a good book or want to celebrate love in the name of friendship and family, here are some Galentine’s Day reads. Many of them also have cinematic adaptations that I approve of, so feel free to check those out as well.
With Valentine’s Day landing on a Friday this year, there’s no excuse why you and your significant other can’t celebrate if you want to. Even if you didn’t make big plans, you can still enjoy some of these simple yet exciting date ideas. No matter how you end up celebrating, just remember that it’s always the thought and effort that your date will appreciate when you go out!
The Benton Museum welcomed students into the galleries Thursday evening for the spring semester’s inaugural First Thursday. Students and community members gathered in the Benton’s largest gallery to participate in some fun and relaxing activities.
Ah yes, the day after Valentine’s Day. The day in which feelings are almost entirely defined by your relationship status.
For those unfamiliar with the side-hoe (SH) debate, here’s a scenario that will explain its origins and purpose.
Whether you’re in love, looking for love, are perfectly happy being single or anything in between, it’s no coincidence Valentine’s Day falls on a Thursday this year. It’s like Cupid wants us to be drunk.
Though Valentine’s Day is typically thought of as an American holiday celebrating romantic love, people throughout the world celebrate love in all its forms in many unique ways. Take a look to see how people across the globe might be celebrating today. Though Valentine’s Day is typically thought of as an American holiday celebrating romantic love, people throughout the world celebrate love in all its forms in many unique ways. Take a look to see how people across the globe might be celebrating today.
Oh yes, Valentine’s Day, or the single person’s most dreaded holiday that only continues to remind them of their perpetual loneliness. Forget if you’ve never been in a relationship before – then there’s definitely no hope for you.
Viagra is expensive. Your sexy playlist feels a little old. Lacy panties fall apart after, like, three wears and bondage has become blase`. What’s a not-so-horny couple to do? Turn to food, of course, as all solutions should be.
Romantic comedies are a classic genre and, of course, a great genre to read or watch this Valentine’s Day. But have you ever wondered what the first romantic comedy was, or where the genre came from?
Have you ever entered a new relationship and experienced that overwhelming feeling of affection for your new partner? While falling in love may feel similar, what you’re really feeling is the honeymoon phase.
So you’re dating someone or crushing hard and you want to show them how you feel. How do you do that in a way that will sweep them off their feet or make them blush?
Relationship anxiety is not a new concept; you’ve probably heard the phrase thrown around before. But you’ve probably only heard it when people talk about trust issues, fear of commitment or fear of letting someone get close to you.
There’s something timeless and nostalgic about the romantic comedy genre of movies, affectionately coined as “rom-coms.”
For many single people like me, Valentine’s Day brings a disheartening sense of shame and disappointment. Feb. 14 comes around and you’re still single. Again.
This Valentine’s Day, for anyone feeling reminiscent of the cringey yet simpler times or trying to remember why love used to be fun in the first place, I encourage you to read (or re-read) one of of these Sarah Dessen classics.
The recipes below incorporate flavors like chocolate, strawberry and cinnamon to give your dessert a Valentine’s Day-inspired flavor that you can make yourself. Additionally, many of these recipes can be great gifts for your significant other, friends or family, and making these treats yourself will definitely show them that you care.
Galentine’s Day was created on the NBC show “Parks and Recreation,” which ran a respectable seven season run from 2009 to 2015.
The Daily Campus Life section issued a survey to more than 1,000 students over social media and email to get a sense for UConn students’ feelings on partners, sexual health and sexual orientation as part of a special Valentines Day issue on love, sex and romance.
Love letters have not lost their place in society. On the contrary, they become more invaluable with every sent emoji.
Putting on music during sex is a risky move. The wrong songs will throw the mood off. But the right songs? The right songs turn good sex into great sex.
Spending this Valentine’s Day newly single? Whether you’re crying, raging or just trying to get over your ex, these are your go-to songs.
Most people know it as the naughty book you found in your hippie aunt’s house, and that it’s mainly comprised of a list of ludicrously athletic-looking sexual positions. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
The plethora of experts and scholars who work on the UConn campus are rarely utilitzed by students other than during classes. But these minds can tell us more than math, engineering and chemistry — especially Dr. Ryan Watson, who tried to answer our questions.
This recipe allows you to get your hands dirty and learn about your partner’s likes and dislikes. Skip Blaze, stay in and make your own personal pizzas.
Planning for a date night in college is hard, which means planning for Valentine’s Day can be hell.
There are many great questions mankind is looking for answers to. Do aliens exist? Is there an afterlife? How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop? While many men and women have tried, and failed, I’ve decided to try to solve one of society’s most puzzling questions: Should you be friends with your ex?