Students talk about why they stripped down for The Statesman

"Being an AIDS Peer Educator, I'm a strong advocate for any type of education around sex and relationships. Whether it's raising awareness, education on how to use a female condom or what it means to have a healthy relationship, you can bet I'll be willing to talk about it. Being part of The Statesman's Sex Issue is a great way to have fun and spread knowledge. Several years down the road we'll all still be talking about how we stripped down and had some fun."

"I learned about the photoshoot from a friend who did it my freshman year. I grew up with him in my town and when I saw it, I thought it was awesome. I was really excited to do it, but when I got there I was really nervous. Within minutes I was having a lot of fun. The Sex Issue is a great way to demonstrate how we are comfortable with our body and promoting safe sex."

"I've never done anything like this and it's my senior year. So I wanted to do something out of my comfort zone and to let everyone know it's okay to express your sexuality without judgement."

"When I started at Stony Brook I was a very different person than I am now. I had no confidence, I was really in a bad place. I always saw the student leaders featured in the Statesman as this unattainable thing. They were so put together and amazing. I got to know a few and they gave me courage to apply myself and get through all the struggle I had. For me, this photo shoot was kind of like my "after" picture. And I'm happy to share that with the Stony Brook community that has become my family and my home."

"I've enjoyed reading the issue in the past and I admired the people who modeled in previous years, I thought 'Wow, that takes a lot of balls.' And I've experienced a lot of changes with my body in the past and just wanted to express my confidence and feel beautiful in front of a camera."

"I think today we live in such a sexualized society and it is really easy to allow outside forces to make you feel uncomfortable or threatened in your own skin. Sometimes it does not come easily, but being comfortable with your own body and being able to own it is something really powerful. That's what the Sex and Relationship issue should represent. Being happy with who you are and what you look like."

"I posed to show all women on campus that they should be proud of their sexuality."

"Well honestly I was (and still kind of am) super insecure about my body because I've always been too skinny, and wanted to make a change but never had the drive to. So when I saw that I could apply to model, it was the kick I needed to eat better and take care of myself. It's also something my freshman self never would've done and I'm all about trying new things so it seemed like a win win all around."

"I modeled for the Sex and Relationships issue this year in a very overt attempt to feel more positive about my body. A year ago, I had a salpingectomy (a fancy way of saying I lost one of my Fallopian tubes), and even though I like to think I'm a stoic powerhouse of a woman, the physical and emotional scars I've been left with have really marred my sex life and my image of myself. This is me reclaiming my body and putting it out there, scars and all, for everyone to see. It's me accepting that no, I'll never be perfect, but maybe that's what makes me attractive after all!"