For women, going to the gym is often an uncomfortable experience. Around 56% of 1,107 women surveyed by Run Repeat in 2021 had first-hand experiences of unwanted attention, commentary or physical contact in the gym. The #gymcreep trend that garnered widespread attention and participation on TikTok is a testament to the prevalence of gender-based harassment in gyms. Women on TikTok documented and exposed men who followed women around gyms or inappropriately touched them.

Experiencing harassment negatively affects gym usage: 14% of the women surveyed who experienced harassment firsthand stopped going to the gym, 20% changed their gym routines to avoid certain areas and 20% changed their clothes or appearance.

These facts should raise concerns because exercise is important for physical and mental well-being. When gyms are uncomfortable places for women, women are left without welcoming spaces to exercise. Women need comfortable, harassment-free gym spaces. This is especially true for undergraduate women. Low levels of physical activity are associated with increased anxiety. Stressed-out undergraduate women need spaces to workout to maintain their mental and physical health.

It is time for William Jewell College to consider how it can better accommodate women seeking spaces to exercise. Currently, the school has one 24-hour gym that is open to all students. Many women, myself included, avoid the gym out of fear of harassment. For myself, this is not due to any experiences of harassment on campus but an aversion I have developed from interactions with men in gyms off-campus.

One popular solution to the problems faced by women in gyms has been to create women-only gym spaces. Designing separate spaces for women in gyms is intended to protect them from the predominant perpetrators of harassment: men. In women-only spaces, women can exercise without fear of uncomfortable staring, inappropriate touching and unwelcome recommendations or compliments. Instead, women get to enjoy the company of other women, which may also provide opportunities for camaraderie and new friendships.

Women-only gym spaces have a few flaws. First, these spaces often limit women to a certain set of training equipment or training classes designed for women. Many find these limitations frustrating and exclusive. Second, women-only gym spaces sometimes limit access to only cisgendered women. As a result, these spaces fail to accommodate non-cisgender people, who are also common victims of harassment.

Despite these flaws, a solution like women-only gym spaces would prove beneficial at William Jewell College. The college could designate a few hours on two or three days a week for woman-identifying and non-cisgendered students. This solution would grant both women and non-cisgendered people on campus exclusive access to all available gym equipment, free from the risk of harassment. Although some may argue these would merely be gym hours that exclude cisgendered men, the fact that women and non-cisgendered people are the common targets of harassment by cisgendered men makes the exclusionary period acceptable. 

Enforcement may raise additional concerns. How would the College enforce this policy given the complicated politics surrounding gender identities? Enforcement, however, may not be necessary. By simply designating certain hours as “women and non-cisgendered only,” women and non-cisgendered people would know of specific times when other women and non-cisgendered people would also be in the gym. There is comfort in numbers, and such comfort may help to encourage students with these identities to utilize the gym. Furthermore, cisgendered men may respect the policy and avoid using the gym during these hours without enforcement.

Another solution to the problems faced by women in gyms would be the creation of a supportive fitness organization for women and non-cisgendered people. For example, CHAARG is an up-and-coming national organization that has established health and wellness communities for undergraduate women at numerous United States colleges. The organization provides weekly fitness classes and connects members with small groups to help women grow confident in their fitness journey. This organization, or organizations like it, would provide women with training and support systems to help them feel more comfortable in gyms.

CHAARG has its own flaws. The organization requires interested students to pay $35 to $155 per semester, quarter or year (depending on the university) to become a member. The organization does provide accessibility support for students in need, which may help those who cannot afford such fees. Additionally, the organization does not portray itself as expressly inclusive of non-cisgendered people. According to CHAARG’s terms and conditions, the organization “does not categorically deny membership to an individual, based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, or the presence of a disability.” Importantly, gender identity is excluded from this list.

A fitness organization like this would benefit the College by providing students new to fitness with training and support. Instead of CHAARG, students could create a more accessible and inclusive organization. The organization could utilize fitness expertise within the student body by offering student-led fitness classes. Also, opening the organization up to all students would extend training and support to any fitness training newbie on campus. The organization would help to prevent the embarrassment many feel when using gyms without prior training or experience.

William Jewell College could encourage better health on campus by designating specific hours in the gym for women-identifying and non-cisgendered students. The college would also benefit from a student-led fitness organization. Both solutions address the harassment and embarrassment that continue to deter students from the gym. If adopted, the College would take significant steps towards recognizing and responding to the challenges faced by women, cisgendered people and those who lack fitness training on campus.

Many young men today are facing a crisis of masculinity, which has prompted many to turn to the internet as a source of escape, validation and community. These keyboard warriors have spawned across all social media platforms, from Reddit to TikTok, and have established movements that decry feminism and validate sexist opinions. Dubbed the “manosphere,” this online world blames women for the challenges men face and is a cesspool of toxic masculinity, victim complexes and overall dehumanization of women and non-cisgendered-heterosexual men. 

These strange, disturbing subcommunities include all types of misogynist rhetoric, all of which share the sentiment of male victimhood. Many of these communities, such as incels and self-proclaimed “men’s rights activists,” criticize modern feminism as an institution that has decreased male power within society and thereby victimizes men. 

These videos by manosphere influencers, such as Andrew Tate, are almost humorous in their over-the-top rhetoric and content, but it’s also shockingly scary that these influencers are shaping young boys and men. The impact goes beyond just spreading offensive misogynist ideas. There is a link between the “manosphere” and right-wing extremism. There are several instances in which young men who were radicalized by online rhetoric inflicted real-world violence upon victims, often women. In 2020, a San Bernadino man, who was a prominent men’s rights activist online, murdered two people when targeting a female judge.

Podcasting has become a popular medium for men’s rights activists to spread superficial “hustle” culture and misogynist ideas. If you tune into these podcasts, such as “Fresh and Fit,” hosted by Walter “Fresh” Weeks and Myron “Fit” Gaines, you can get generic financial and fitness tips— with a side of sexism. “Fresh and Fit” often invite female guests, many of whom are models and sex workers, to humiliate them and insist that they “deserve less” because of their work. They even published a book, “Why Women Deserve Less,” which, if you couldn’t tell from the title, is about why women should earn less and are using men for money. 

Even one of the most popular shows on the podcast charts, “The Joe Rogan Experience,” is part of this manosphere. Although Joe Rogan’s podcast is more tame than the constant barrage of sexism spewed by other podcasts, he has made several sexist and racist remarks in the past, comparing a Black neighborhood to “Planet of the Apes,” lamenting about white male victimhood and laughing as a guest bragged about conducting quid pro quo sexual assault. He has also invited problematic guests, such as the leader of the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist hate group that participated in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, who claimed that his feature on “The Joe Rogan Experience” boosted recruitment numbers. Joe Rogan has been rewarded for his problematic behavior, attracting a mostly white, male audience with a $100 million deal with Spotify.

As an avid podcast listener and feminist, I know the absurdity of these types of podcasts is ridiculous but also harmful. Of course, it is nothing new that extremist and harmful ideas are present on social media; however, it is frustrating when they enter the mainstream. If you want to protest the popularity of manosphere podcasts, there are plenty of other good listening options to support. Here are some of my favorite podcasts that celebrate female empowerment and gender inclusivity to help you escape the nastiness of the manosphere.

Stuff Mom Never Told You

I’ve been a longtime listener of this podcast, and the hosts Anney Reese and Samantha McVey use intersectional feminism to examine culture, history and science. This podcast highlights the experiences and stories of women and other marginalized groups. One of my favorite things about this podcast is that it features stories I’ve never heard about, such as the story of Sissiertta Jones, the first Black woman to headline a concert at Carnegie Hall.

Call Her Daddy

This is another podcast that I’ve been a fan of for a long time . The show has faced controversy in the past for perpetuating sexist stereotypes and offensive comments, but it has undergone a transformation for the better and its new content is much more inclusive. “Call Her Daddy” is the most listened-to podcast by women, and the host, Alex Cooper, has shattered the glass ceiling in podcasting by signing a $60 million 3-year deal with Spotify. Cooper interviews female celebrities and shares her own experiences regarding dating, navigating female friendships and the overall experiences of being a woman in her 20s. This podcast uses comedy to break down the stigma around sexuality and mental health. Cooper has also tackled serious topics such as sexual harassment, homophobia and online bullying through her interviews and personal stories.

The Mel Robbins Podcast 

The host, Mel Robbins, is a famous and accomplished writer whose advice and self-help books, “The Five Second Rule”’ and “The High Five Habit,” have led her to become a New York Times bestseller and have one of the most watched TED Talks ever. Robbins interviews a variety of guests spanning from medical professionals to psychologists to discuss relatable topics such as relationships, mental health and procrastination in an honest way and gives science-backed tips to her listeners. Robbins’s honesty and vulnerability in sharing her experiences is refreshing. Her wisdom on overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating your 20s and healing have helped me immensely.

Binchtopia

Hosts Eliza McLamb and Julia Hava are both young podcast hosts who are hilarious and have really insightful views on culture, politics and society. They use sociological and psychological perspectives on a variety of topics ranging from serious ones, such as reproductive rights and diet culture, to much lighter ones, such as horse girls and furries. This podcast is one of my recent favorites, and I find their commentary both hilarious and educational. Their discussion about the Manosphere inspired this article, so you should definitely check it out! 

Why Won’t You Date Me

Nicole Byer is the host of this podcast and a self-professed “perpetual singleton.” Byer’s podcast is refreshingly sex-positive and invites her friends and fellow comedians to share their crazy dating stories. I was introduced to “Why Won’t You Date Me” through her interview on “Call Her Daddy,” and I was drawn to Byer’s wit and personality. Women of color are underrepresented in the podcasting sphere, and this podcast is breaking old norms by openly talking about dating as a Black woman.

I hope this list of podcasts inspires you to give them a listen and boost female-led podcasting. There are so many great options to escape the podcast manosphere – and expand your worldview in the process! 

Established in 2020, the Gender Inclusivity and Feminism Team (GIFT) at William Jewell College is a student-led organization that aims to promote a safe and positive culture pertaining to gender identity and related issues.

The organization focuses its efforts and funds into providing physical resources as well as a space for serious discussion about equality. Although GIFT specifies itself to be an organization inspired by traditional feminism, they aspire to expand this definition to support all gender identities through their events and advocacy.

“Jewell prides itself in being an inclusive and diverse campus; however, that does not mean that the community is without issues. It is for this reason that it is so important to have organizations like GIFT on campus. We want to help students feel comfortable with discussing and pursuing their gender identities, but first, we have to offer them a safe, [and] even encouraging, space for that,” junior Alexis Harper, who serves as GIFT’s Events Chair, said.

As one of the organization’s largest tasks, the leadership works with students, staff and faculty to distribute free menstrual products in all the campus’ restrooms and emergency condoms in all the dorms. New this year, GIFT is hoping to partner with the Student Senate and Student Health Center to ensure that a consistent supply of products are available to the community, rather than relying on donations alone.

GIFT also hosts regular events — snacks included — to discuss topics like gender identity portrayal in the media and family dynamics surrounding traditional gender roles. As an example, GIFT holds a Halloween movie night every year in late-October, raffling out sex-positive “Sweet & Spicy” gift bags following the post-movie discussion.

“The Halloween movie night is one of our most popular discussion events, especially because of the items we give out,” Harper said. “The importance of this event is to not only create interest in GIFT and discuss these important issues, but to also destigmatize taboo ideas that are associated with sex and intimacy especially in the case of non-heteronormative relations. Of course, we keep everything in the raffle anonymous to protect the winners’ privacy; [however,] we hope that giving students the opportunity to win sex toys will pave the way for future sex-positive conversations, perhaps with a partner or trusted friend.”

GIFT — like other student organizations and clubs — experienced a low-point during the 2021-22 academic year as the COVID-19 pandemic peaked. However, with the ability to host more social and promotional events, the organization is seeing a steady increase in student interest this year, according to Harper. For students looking to participate in GIFT’s events or services, there are no official membership requirements or commitments to follow.

The organization’s cabinet consists of five equally important roles with Azadeh Rafizadeh, professor of mathematics, designated as their faculty sponsor. This year, the following students are serving at GIFT’s leadership:

• junior Alexis Harper as Events Chair;
• sophomore Kaelyn Cox as Project Management Chair;
• junior Jolia Bernal as Engagement Chair;
• first-year Koda Payton as Communications Chair; and 
• junior Liz Payton as Finance Chair.

Students can get involved in GIFT by reaching out to the clubs leadership by sending an email to giftcabinet@wjclan.jewell.edu, following @wjc.gift on Instagram, or by attending any of the upcoming events.

oSTEM at William Jewell College is a student-led organization intent on supporting and providing resources for STEM-orientated LGBTQIA+ students.

oSTEM, an abbreviated term for Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, is an internationally recognized nonprofit association with over 100 affiliated college and university chapters. The association –founded in 2009 as the first society to specifically support LGBTQIA+ STEM students — hosts national and regional conferences to bring awareness to diversity in science while also funding scholarships and mentorship programs for members.

oSTEM at Jewell was previously inactive due to changes in campus community and culture; however, the organization was reactivated mid-semester as interest regenerated.

Liz Payton, acting president for oSTEM and biochemistry major, said that she saw oSTEM at Jewell as an opportunity where she could navigate her own identity and also support others with similar insecurities about pursuing fields that are historically known to lack diversity.

After student leaders from several other inclusion-focused groups encouraged her to restart the organization in late January, Payton and her friend created an oSTEM Instagram account. By mid-February, Student Life took notice of the new Instagram page and reached out to begin the process of officially reinstating oSTEM at Jewell.

Specific to oSTEM and its mission, Payton explained the ways in which false biological sciences have been used to shut down conversations pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity.

“There is no disputing that science and related fields have been used as a tool to harm minority communities and push a narrative of superiority and power in the past,” Payton said. “Despite the progress we have made away from this power dynamic, we are still seeing a lack of diversity in STEM.”

Taking advice from Dr. Rodney Smith, vice president of access and engagement, oSTEM at Jewell said a large part of their purpose is in inspiring future generations by laying the groundwork for inclusion in the present.

With LGBTQIA+ identities still underrepresented in occupational fields, oSTEM at Jewell hopes to look into reducing barriers for students who plan to attend graduate school or otherwise work in STEM-related careers.

“We are wanting to look at ways to reduce barriers for students as they move towards STEM careers or graduate school, and that would include skill-building workshops such as how to make a good STEM resume or ways to work on social confidence and presentation skill,” Payton said. “In this initiative, we will also help students look for potential research opportunities and other ways to increase their technical skills.”

oSTEM at Jewell further plans to eventually tackle issues like workplace stigma or hostility. Payton notes, however, that outside experts will need to lead the conversation on such serious topics.

“The overarching theme here is really just education and support,” Payton said. “We want students to know that they are valid in their own identities and [that] they belong in the STEM community and we want to provide some pathways [to help students] reach acceptance of themselves.” 

While oSTEM at Jewell is primarily an organization focused on the LGBTQIA+ STEM community, the club welcomes non-STEM majors as well. According to the organization’s current guidelines, non-STEM majors cannot be considered official members, but they are nonetheless welcomed at meetings to support friends or contribute to the conversation.

Rose Reynolds, associate professor and chair of biology, is the faculty sponsor for oSTEM at Jewell. Reynolds also sponsored the previous chapter of oSTEM several years ago.

A temporary cabinet will serve for the remainder of this semester and will be responsible for structuring the club and facilitating the upcoming elections of the permanent cabinet. The organization plans to elect an official cabinet for the 2021-22 academic year after becoming more established and stable.

“We want the process to be as transparent and democratic as possible so we felt that immediately asking oSTEM members to vote for a permanent cabinet would be unfair, especially as we are still trying to recruit members,” Payton said. 

As the organization is still trying to cultivate interest among the Jewell community, the temporary cabinet is not operating under harshly defined roles yet. Instead, each member is working together to meet the immediate needs of the organization. Once the permanent cabinet is elected, the stipulated cabinet roles as set aside in oSTEM’s constitution will become the guiding practice for the cabinet members. 

These roles include President, Director of Finances and Director of Membership. Though not decided upon yet, the cabinet is discussing adding the specific role of a Director of Marketing or Public Relations. 

However, Payton said that part of denoting the responsibilities of the cabinet positions will depend on the actual implementation of leadership and the personalities behind them.

“It is a fluid process with a lot of learning involved, so I think it would be wrong to rigidly fixate upon the roles indefinitely,” Payton said. “We trust that the previous oSTEM group worked out an efficient way to handle the logistics of the organization, and we decided to keep their leadership structure and just build upon it as needed.”

The emphasis on fluidity and reflection is especially important given the difficult conditions of restarting a club during a pandemic wherein oSTEM at Jewell is rendered unable to effectively host recruiting events under Operation Safe Campus. Payton said that the club will take a risk-benefit assessment approach in hosting meetings next fall.

“With such serious topics like gender and sexual identity, it can be difficult for people to express themselves in front of others,” Payton said. “On top of that, expressing themselves in a Zoom call may be even harder. Face-to-face meetings seem to be the more comfortable option to engage in such dialogue, but we also want to ensure that students are physically safe during the pandemic.” 

Potentially interested students can follow the club on Instagram (@jewell_ostem). More information about oSTEM chapters can be found on oSTEM’s official site.