This is a shout-out to you Donald Trump.

Rape culture, this used to be a taboo topic amongst most people in America. With this election, the culture as a whole is really coming out to play, and frankly, I believe is going to be a major factor in the outcome of this election. Here's why:

Realistically, I don't think I can see a rape victim survivor voting for Donald Trump. Though he is denying all allegations of sexual assault, that is a survivor's worst nightmare. "They're lying". Ouch. That stings. Yes Donald, you sir have officially lost the vote of 1 in every 5 women along with 1 in every 71 men. (Facts brought to you by the CDC). Truthfully, it is probably more than that when you take into account the friends and families of the survivors AND the survivors who did not report, (oh wow! That includes their friends and families too! Good one!). As survivors, their story being disregarded or considered "not possible" is horrifying, and you are openly turning voters away by falling into this pattern which shames survivors and calls them liars. That's another reason that I'm with her.

Typically I am very comfortable talking about politics, but when it came to my writing platform I have always tried to hold back. Not this time, Trump. You have officially lit a spark in me, and many of those around me, to speak up and try to explain to those around us how scary you could be for our country. PSA I am not an uneducated voter. I like your politics in regards to jobs and I actually think some of your economic plans aren't half bad. But Donald, what you would do to this country socially and in regards to our morale simply cannot be made up for by any sort of job plan or idea to save our GDP. While most people who do not believe in the entire "love wins" simply don't believe in gay marriage, it has always felt as if you go all the way to portray that "hate wins". You show this through your disregard to political correctness, manners, and plainly your inability to sympathize. That's another reason that I'm with her.

Any who, per usual, I digress, Donald, though I hate you, I must thank you, you have really raised the bar. You are showing men and women how important it is to speak up and report so ass holes like you can never have the opportunity to rise up to get this close to a position as important as the President of the United States. Rape culture is losing it's taboo nature, and you are partially to receive credit for that. Thanks, man. While it is slightly terrifying how many sexual assault stories there are to tell, not only the handful of stories where you were the abuser, Donald, I am happy and proud to see that they are finally being told. You have lit a spark in survivors, Donald, maybe not something to be proud of, but definitely something to go noticed. You have made men and women around the world realize the importance of speaking up and stopping abusers like you, so thank you. Again that's another reason that I'm with her.

I am choosing not only to stand by Hillary but I am also choosing to stand by every sexual assault survivor that you felt you had the authority to belittle. I am standing by the young girls who have lost self esteem because of what you choose to say on public television. I am standing by every worker you have blown off and I am standing by every company you screwed over. I am standing by my tax-paying parents who have worked their whole lives to keep our family afloat. I am standing by my best friend who was able to marry her wife two years ago because of laws passed by people who actually have a heart. I am standing by all people who stand against you, and I am doing this because I am standing by what is best for this country.

Much Obliged,

Andrea LaBonté