Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Viva.

The PMDD Self-Care Kit
The Self-Care Kit is a bag of tools to draw from when PMDD strikes (or whenever you need a little extra attention). You design it yourself, so it's filled with all the things that bring you comfort. It helps you remember what to do for yourself when everything stops working and the PMDD shit hits the fan. The great thing is, it's ready and waiting for you. All you have to do is remember to use it!
By Cheeky Minx8 years ago in Viva
Honest Thoughts on The "Me Too" Movement (and Why It Backfired)
When I first saw the now famous “Me Too” movement pop up on my twitter feed, it made me surprisingly happy. As a survivor of sexual violence, and one who had already come forward on social media and spoken out against their abuse, I was excited for others to feel the feeling of freedom that I felt. In November of 2016, I was sexually assaulted. By now I have come to terms with this, but I kept my assault a secret for nearly four months. I told people slowly, one-by-one, starting with the few people that I trusted, until one day I stepped forward publicly; posting a collection of poetry detailing my assault and the mental health crisis that followed. I posted this on the six month anniversary of my assault, and the amount of positivity I received brought me a newfound feeling of hope and happiness that had been absent from my life for quite a long time. Me Too was, as I hoped, the opportunity for more survivors to speak about their experiences and ultimately end the stigma while furthering their own healing.
By Bryna G.8 years ago in Viva
Worst Gifts for Your Vagina
As most gynecologists will tell you, your vagina is both extremely tough and extremely delicate. It can bear childbirth, but it can't bear having too many outside pollutants in there. Vaginal health is a crucial part of women's health, and sadly, a lot of people out there are more concerned about profit than they are about safety.
By Mackenzie Z. Kennedy8 years ago in Viva
Why Did She Stay?
I want to tackle and answer the one question many people ask when they find out a friend, a relative, or a loved one was in an abusive relationship: Why did she/he stay? Now, I'm no expert, I'm no psychologist, but I am one woman out of many with a story to tell.
By Sophia Rosado8 years ago in Viva
Me Too
I'm encouraged and deeply saddened by the trending, "me too" on social media. I'm encouraged because victims spoke out in an unusual setting but the point is, they spoke out. I cannot stress enough the importance of breaking the silence but it doesn't end with breaking the silence. I'm going to share a little part of my story that I hope helps you see why breaking the silence is so important but going beyond that as well is vital to ending the problem.
By Taylor Carnes8 years ago in Viva
When I Was Pinched in the Mission
Back in school, I had gone to get my dinner, and I was walking down the street at night sticking close to a group of people. Out of nowhere, some idiot pinched me in between the legs. I mean pinched. Right there. Pulled on me, and pinched. This is sexual harassment at its finest. I yelled at him, swinging my grocery bag at his chest three times. I then cornered somebody, a male somebody, yelling at the person to look out for somebody smaller than he was because some idiot had pinched me. I was surrounded but I escaped that situation rather quickly, and I was yelling at them really loud. I had beef, green beans, and cheese in my bag as my only weapon.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in Viva
He's Mean To You?
I've heard it so many times in my life, and I'm sure that you've heard it too. Maybe not in these words, but you've definitely heard it. If he's mean to you, then he likes you... If he treats you like shit, then he MUST be into you. But where the fuck did this come from? When did we develop this notion that if a boy is mean to you, then he likes you. In my opinion, it starts really early on, when we're so small that we are indoctrinated into this bullshit way of thinking.
By Shana Nizeul8 years ago in Viva
An Uncomfortable Topic
Now that 2018 has arrived and in the light of the new year, I wanted to write and hopefully educate on a topic that most people find uncomfortable: periods and the waste produced by period products.
By [email protected]8 years ago in Viva
How Effective is the Morning After Pill?
The "morning after pill" has become one of the most controversial forms of birth control, primarily because it's been called both ineffective and a form of abortion. However, anyone who's really researched reproductive health can tell you that the morning after pill does not cause abortions, nor is it totally ineffective.
By Mackenzie Z. Kennedy8 years ago in Viva
That Day....
I was sitting on the hard gym floor next to my best friend waiting to learn and start our school's D.A.R.E program that day.
By Krystal Howard8 years ago in Viva
What to Say Before You Move Out
There were things that never really made sense to me. Just as anyone else, I too wanted to "fly" the nest once I turned 18. I was a poor excuse of a student when I reached my senior year in high school. However, by chance or fate I had managed to get a scholarship at a school that was four hours away from my hometown. When I got the letter in the mail, I couldn't believe it. Growing up in a small town, where everyone was either pregnant, dropping out, or selling drugs, to me this was huge. I still remember the exact words I told my mother, as I showed her the letter. She was proud, the kind of proud that makes her talk about it for hours over the phone to our grandparents, aunts, and uncles in Mexico.
By Ashley Murga8 years ago in Viva
Wonder Women
Picture this: A woman. She's tall. Aloof. Cold. She's considered "one of the boys" because she can hit hard and is also the only girl present. Her makeup is perfectly done and her hair falls in curls, yet she's a tomboy. She hardly speaks. Her personality consists of fighting techniques and being the "pretty one." This is the stereotypical strong female character.
By Doni York8 years ago in Viva