Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.

Dear reader,

On Nov. 13, 2018, the first official Fifty Shades of Shay column was published. Since then, through the open-mindedness of The Collegian and its readers, the column has been able to entertain and engross students of Colorado State University. More importantly, Fifty Shades of Shay has been able to educate its readers — which is exactly what it was made to do. 

I’d like to start by saying thank you — thank you for clicking my links and reading my articles. Thank you for finding both the humor and education that my articles strive for. Most importantly, thank you for supporting Fifty Shades of Shay. I have built this sex column in a way that The Collegian has never seen before, and it has blossomed into a hidden gem of the paper. 

I do not, and will not, apologize for Fifty Shades of Shay.

I’ve received many personal messages in response to some of my sex columns — people thanking me for exploring a stigmatized topic relating to sex, agreeing with my perspectives or appreciating the inclusivity that my writing brings to the community. These messages make me feel like my work is worth it and what I write actually matters.

I’ve also received backlash, criticism and downright rude comments.

I want to be crystal clear about something. I’m incredibly proud of Fifty Shades of Shay. This sex column is both entertaining and educational to many of its readers, as well as generally well-received by the majority of The Collegian audience — but I understand it’s not for everyone.

Fifty Shades of Shay is not for everyone because sex columns, in general, are not for everyone. If you are a person who is easily squeamish, follows a certain religion very strongly, has no interest in expanding their knowledge surrounding sexuality or finds any mentioning of sex taboo, just don’t read the articles.

It’s frustrating to see that some people are only reading the columns to twist my words to fit their own personal agenda because it deters people who might actually benefit from reading it. It doesn’t help anyone to judge my whole article by just the title provided and comment hate on these articles.

I do not, and will not, apologize for Fifty Shades of Shay.

It would be one thing if I was receiving constructive criticism or debate in the comment sections of my articles about statistics, definitions or even conversation actually related to propelling the article into a positive conversation starter.

If you are a reader who has always enjoyed and supported my sex columns, then I sincerely thank you for your support because it wouldn’t be Fifty Shades of Shay without you.”

It’s another thing entirely to point a finger at me and make an accusation about my persona because of my article or to say how tasteless and tacky my topic of choice was. If you don’t appreciate sex columns, then don’t comment rude or hateful things about the column. It’s pretty simple.

I can’t control where my sex articles end up or whose eyes glance over them. All I ask for is some reasonable consideration for myself, the author, and those who enjoy reading these columns.

If you are a reader who has always enjoyed and supported my sex columns, then I sincerely thank you for your support because it wouldn’t be Fifty Shades of Shay without you. 

Sincerely,

Shay Rego, the proud creator of Fifty Shades of Shay

Shay Rego can be reached at letters@collegian.com or on Twitter @shay_rego.