I’ve been writing this column for a year now, and I think it’s high time I introduce myself. My name’s Robyn, but I’m also affectionately referred to as “that one girl who writes those sex articles.”
Here’s a brief bio: I’m a journalism junior here at UF, minoring in theories and politics of sexuality. When I’m not writing about dicks for the newspaper, I enjoy watching cute animal videos, taking naps and eating brunch. My favorite beverage is whiskey sour, I take my coffee black and I enjoy skinny dipping in the warmer months.
So, why the sex column? Sex and sexuality are huge parts of everyone’s lives, even if you’re not having it, and I think it merits some serious discussion. Plus, sex and journalism have a huge commonality — they’re all about connecting with other people.
That’s where you guys come in. I want to connect with you. No, not in the way you’re thinking — get your minds out of the gutter. This semester, I’m hoping to get more feedback from you on what you want me to cover.
I’ve gotten a fair amount of feedback in the past. Someone once commented on an article, “Can you write about anything other than sex or does your life consist solely of getting plowed?”
In response, no. I take breaks for food, showers and writing this weekly column.
I went to a party one night and someone thanked me for writing an article that convinced him to buy lube and a vibrator. I get recognized on a fairly regular basis because of this column. I can also credit my weekly articles for a fair number of Facebook friend requests and date invitations.
Once, I went to a party — by far, I get the most comments when I’m surrounded by drunk people — where someone yelled across the room that I should write about anal sex.
To be fair, I haven’t covered that topic yet because writing about anal sex, much like having it, isn’t something that you just wake up and do on a whim.
One of the questions I’m asked most often is, “How do you come up with article ideas?”
Normally, I write about things my friends or I have experienced recently or timely subjects mentioned in other news outlets. This year, though, I want to take a different route.
I want to write about what you want to know. So, I’m asking for your input. Put on your thinking caps and send in all your wild ideas, burning questions, comments and criticisms to opinions@alligator.org. I’ll use your submissions as inspiration for future columns.
I do have a few requests, however. Please refrain from emails like, “You should write about this dick.” That doesn’t work on Tinder, and it’s not going to work here, either. The ideal submission would be something relatable to the masses, along the lines of, “Can you write about having phone sex? My boyfriend and I are long-distance and are looking for ways to spice up the relationship.”
I hope that by doing this, we can start a productive discourse about sex. I look forward to the next few months and to writing columns that are more relatable to reader interests.
Thanks for reading the Alligator and this column, and thanks in advance for the conversations I hope we have in the future.
Now get cracking on those emails. In the meantime, go America, go Gators and go home with a 10.
Robyn Smith is a UF journalism junior. Her column appears on Fridays.
[A version of this story ran on page 6 on 1/16/2015 under the headline “Gators, let me be your dirty Dear Abby"]
