Texas Fraternity Hangs ‘No Means Yes, Yes Means Anal’ Sign

Members of the Phi Delta Theta chapter at Texas Tech University are facing scrutiny and disciplinary action after making and displaying a sign that condoned rape.

The news of this incident first broke on Total Frat Move. While the original post has since been removed, it displayed two photos: one of a sign that stated “No means yes, yes means anal,” and the second a photo of whatever the heck a “vagina sprinkler” is. (Spoiler: It's basically a cardboard woman with her legs spread with a sprinkler somehow attached. I can't make this stuff up. You can see the photo here. It's pretty NSFW)

Sean Wagner, Associate Executive Vice President of Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity in Oxford, OH released a statement regarding the incident, that reads in part:

We are deeply concerned by the images provided from the event. Phi Delta Theta has zero-tolerance for any behavior that promotes misogyny or promotes a sexually hostile environment. This action directly contradicts the values of Phi Delta Theta and anyone found to be directly involved in the severely misguided decision will be held accountable.

Well, I'm glad that you have that zero-tolerance policy, and I'm glad that there's something being done about it. But, beyond that, this helps to highlight a bigger problem with society as a whole. Who is raising their sons to think that things and messages like these are okay? What guy, college-aged or not, looks at this and thinks, "Yeah, that's a really good idea. Totally in good taste. Rape jokes are funny." The answer is far too many.

This is not okay. It's beyond not okay. It's furthering the rape culture that has permeated our society for far too long. I can't even fathom the mentality of the person who put this together and displayed it for all to see.

It's disgraceful. When we wonder out loud why there is such a high rate of sexual assault on and around college campuses, we can look to examples like this. This is why. Because a) there are men out there who think these thoughts and act on them, and b) there are people out there who, while they don't necessarily think that these things are okay, see them and turn a blind eye. That's not okay. And before you say it, I know, "not all men". I'm not saying that it's all men, I'm saying that it's enough men that this is something that needs to be addressed and talked about more often than it is.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, there are resources and services available to you through the YWCA West Central Michigan. If you are in immediate danger or feel unsafe, you can call the YWCA 24-Hour Confidential Crisis Line 616.776.RAPE (616.776.7273). If you have been assaulted, please call 911 immediately.