A Gallup survey released on Monday shows college students' thoughts on the First Amendment. The survey was timely, given the tension on many campuses regarding some college administrators lax policies on discriminatory speech and racism. Gallup, along with the Knight Foundation and Newseum, surveyed 3,000 students between the ages of 18-24. 

78 percent of these students want all speech and perspectives to be accepted on campuses, while the remaining 22 percent believe that colleges should not allow speech that could be taken offensively by others, because it would lead to a more positive learning environment. So maybe people should chill out about the coddled college students who want to live in a protective bubble. Over 60 percent of college students do think that colleges should be able to restrict hateful slurs and other intentionally offensive speech, as well as costumes that perpetuate ethnic stereotypes.

The survey organizers wrote that "Students do appear to distinguish controversial views from what they see as hate speech—and they believe colleges should be allowed to establish policies restricting language and certain behavior that are intentionally offensive to certain groups."

However, 54 percent of those surveyed said that formal limitations on speech would prevent them from expressing their true beliefs, because certain people may find their beliefs offensive.

According to The Huffington Post, race is a factor too: "Only 39 percent of the black students in the survey reported feeling less confident in the right to peacefully assemble, compared to 70 percent of white students."

One surprising finding was that college students are actually more confident in free speech rights than U.S. adults overall—76 percent of college students think free speech rights are secure or very secure, while only 58 percent of U.S. adults feel the same way.

This survey has sparked many questions since its publication earlier this week. It begs the questions, who gets to decide what speech is 'intentionally offensive' and when does censoring speech become a violation of First Amendment rights? Do college students need to toughen up, or should colleges be a safe space where nobody is offended?

I'll never forget what my girlfriend said to me when she and I were talking about LGBTQ+ representation in the media. She said, "I'd never thought beforehand that my mom would have a problem with me coming out. It wasn't until I read and watched those stories that I started to wonder if maybe, like all those parents, she would kick me out, too."

This is just one of many problems with LGBTQ+ representation in the media. It's getting better, and I can't argue with that. But it's still not where it needs to be. And people are finally speaking out about that, which makes me both excited and nervous. Excited because maybe, just maybe, it means that people are taking notice of the problem. And nervous because I'm worried it's just a passing phase, and it won't sustain the momentum it's picked up.

Bury Your Gays is a trope that exists across all media. It basically means that LGBTQ+ characters have a tendency to die rather than lead happy lives. In addition to Bury Your Gays, LGBTQ+ characters are often: relegated to the background, fetishized, stereotyped or tokenized, kicked out, abused, beaten and bullied extensively. Queer characters, especially before the 2000s, were likely to be trauma survivors, and to have their trauma closely linked to their queer identity. Their family members shunned them, so they developed mental illnesses and wound up homeless and alone. They committed suicide. They ran away from home.

Why does this matter? I think my girlfriend's quote just about sums it up. These representations affect real people. They are the only thing we have to cling to when we're trying to compare our lives to someone else's. In many situations, such as when a queer person lives in a very small or isolated area, they may not know any other out LGBTQ+ people. The media may be their only solution when it comes to looking for advice and someone to relate to.

While I was in the process of coming out, I didn't know very many real-life out LGBTQ+ people. I had two places to turn for support and resources: my online community, and queer media. I read Autostraddle and AfterEllen. I watched LOGO TV. I devoured books with queer characters, like Annie On My Mind. 

There were good times, here and there. The L Word, as a show mainly about queer characters, had its fair share of representation, so not everyone led miserable, depressed lives. The problem was that I was coming out as a teen, and The L Word is about adult women, and really aimed at adult women. There weren't very many TV shows featuring queer teens when I was coming out. I watched South of Nowhere and Degrassi, and I learned how damn hard it is to be gay. How your family kicks you out, sends you to ex-gay therapy and bans you from seeing your significant other. How being LGBTQ+ will tear your entire world apart.

That's why it's so important that mainstream media is covering this issue. We, the LGBTQ+ community, have been outraged for years. Autostraddle, AfterEllen, queer blogs, and other LGBTQ+ publications have taken issue with our media representation for years. And that is important. There's no doubt in mind that actual queer people should be the ones taking the most offense with a lack of representation or with problematic tropes, and that we should be at the forefront and our voices should be heard. But I also think we need allies in this fight. We need non-queer people to be angry, too. We need mainstream publications to cover this. To showcase the issue to a broader audience, to an audience that has never thought about this problem before. That's why the recent coverage by Entertainment Weekly, Vanity Fair and Variety is so crucial. 

I feel the tides beginning to change when it comes to diversity in media. Social media and the Internet is a huge part of that. Just look at the #WeNeedDiverseBooks and #OscarsSoWhite campaigns as an example. #WeNeedDiverseBooks grew so much as a hashtag campaign that it demanded a nonprofit be founded. Several studies in the publishing industry have been released. Just last week, in my graduate course on Principles of Management in Publishing, we spent roughly thirty minutes discussing how the industry can change. #OscarsSoWhite sparked boycotts and encouraged The Academy to institute real change in adding diverse members to their board. 

This is the kind of momentum I want to see, and I don't want it to stop. I hate being angry. It's tiring, honestly, and sometimes I just want to consume media in a vacuum. I don't want to think about how Pretty Little Liars has de-gayed Emily Fields, or about Lexa's death on The 100. But sometimes I have to get angry, because those strong emotions incite reactions. People respond to anger about a lack of representation in the media, just as they respond positively to fantastic representations. I remember how the Internet exploded when Clarke and Lexa got together, how absolutely overjoyed so many fans were. This past week, too, I've seen a similar reaction about the relationship between Alec and Magnus on Freeform's Shadowhunters. Fans are excited to see characters like this; they're hungry for it.

The most important thing we can do to institute change is to not be content. We need to keep showcasing those strong emotions. We need to show how thrilled we are, as consumers, when diverse characters are represented, when diverse actors are used to play them, when diverse writers and producers are at the helm of a project. We need to show how angry we are when the reverse happens, and like with the #OscarsSoWhite and #WeNeedDiverseBooks campaigns, we need to continually demand better. As part of a business, the media wants fans to be happy, so they continue consuming. We need to prove that if there are more diverse representations, and if those representations aren't pandering or based on stereotypes or problematic tropes, we'll use our spending power to support it. And if there aren't, then we won't.

It's long been a stereotype in the media industry that readers won't pay for diversity. That's why things like #WheresRey happen, and why books about characters of color or disabled characters aren't marketed the same way other books are. But we can break that stereotype if we go about instituting change at every level. 

If you're a maker—a current or aspiring journalist, novelist, filmmaker, television producer, or beyond—you can be a part of this change. Take a hard look at the diversity represented in the stories you tell, in your portrayals of events, in the worlds you create. Take the time to ask yourself if you're including a fair representation, or if you're tokenizing: if you've got just one queer character, or just one character of color, or just one character who uses a wheelchair, and if they tend to fit stereotypes or be relegated to the background. Take the time to ask people of the communities you're representing to act as beta consumers of your work, so they can point out potentially problematic tropes you may have missed, and so they can offer advice and insight into a world you may not be personally familiar with. 

If you have the power, allow diverse makers to create. Hire journalists of color at your news organization. Include books by disabled writers, about disabled characters, at your children's book publisher. Hire a transgender film producer, and produce more films about transgender characters or real people. Publish that personal essay by an intersex writer. Look for mentally ill actors for your documentaries, even if the film isn't centered on mental illness. If you aren't in a position to hire these people directly, support their work when it is out there. Do everything you can to show the industry that this isn't a trend, and it isn't going away. 

As consumers, we're responsible for showing that we do care about representations, and not just the ones that personally affect us. I'm queer and disabled, so it's clear why I care about those experiences being shown. But I'm also able-bodied, white, from a first-world country, college educated, and not a religious or ethnic minority. I cannot ignore the lack of representation for communities I'm not directly a part of. None of us can. This is all of our fight, and it's time we stand together.

Everyone gets anxious from time to time, but some people are more prone to anxiety attacks than others. For those collegiettes who have been medically diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, some situations can be difficult and painful to navigate, and the last thing a girl needs when she is having an attack is someone telling her that she needs to “chill” or “stop acting crazy.” Obviously, the people who say these things don’t usually mean any harm by them, but that’s why we need to spread the word about the things you should never say to someone with anxiety.

What not to say

1. “Calm down.”

Telling someone to “chill” or “calm down” is rude in any situation, but hearing those words can be horrible for someone with anxiety. It shows “an insensitivity to the person who is experiencing it, because if they could calm down, they sure as heck would already be doing it,” says Jennifer Shannon, a marriage and family therapist and the and co-founder of the Santa Rosa Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

Even if the person you’re talking to doesn’t have anxiety, but especially if they do, telling them to calm down is just counterproductive and downright mean. “Most people don't get that those who suffer from anxiety disorders usually know that they are worrying over nothing and telling us to ‘calm down’ isn't going to help anything,” says Helmi Henkin, a sophomore at the University of Alabama. “In fact, it makes it worse most of the time because then we start stressing out that we are annoying you with our worries.” In that moment, your focus should be on the anxious person’s wellbeing and not on your slight discomfort.

Related: 5 Things You Should Know About Having Anxiety

2. “Get over it.”

In the same way that telling your friend to “calm down” when she’s having anxiety won’t benefit her, telling her to “get over it” is equally useless. Nobody wants to have an anxiety attack, and your friend needs your support, not your dismissal. “There is also a difference between reassuring us that we do not have anything to worry about and making us feel like we are somehow in the wrong for overthinking something,” Helmi says.

There is nothing your friend can do about her thoughts and feelings, and in that moment, all you need to know is they are very real and scary for her. “When you have an anxiety disorder, you are constantly experiencing racing, often negative thoughts and feelings of dread. If your friend has an anxiety disorder, please be there for them and make them feel safe and comfortable talking to you, and remember to dissuade their fears rather than belittle their problems.”

Another problem with this phrase is the assumption that once the attack is over, that’s that and both you and your friend can move on. “Panic attacks take a lot out of me and I would never want someone to tell me that I should quickly get over it and get back to my day like normal,” says Shailagh Lannon, a sophomore at Gustavus Adolphus College. “It just doesn't work that way.” In fact, it can take hours to fully recover from an attack.

3. “You’re acting crazy.”

The difference between telling someone to calm down and calling them weird or crazy is super important to understand. “Using crazy with a negative connotation is frowned upon in general,” Helmi says. And with good reason: anxiety disorders are mental health issues and the term “crazy” is insulting and derogatory to those who suffer from anxiety.

If you’re feeling slightly ill-at-ease around someone who is experiencing anxiety, just imagine how that person must feel. “As someone who has dealt with anxiety issues, I think the worst thing is when other people don't understand and are inconsiderate about your feelings,” says Ellie*, a junior at Temple University. “I know I'm being weird and you telling me that does not help at all, it actually makes me feel a lot more anxious.” Which is completely relatable, regardless of whether you have an anxiety disorder or not.

Besides, anxiety is much more normal and common than you know. “I think it is really important for people to know how common anxiety is,” Shannon says. “18 percent of [adults] will experience an anxiety disorder at some point. It is very much linked to genetics, so it is not a sign of weakness to have an anxiety disorder, but something that is inherited and a part of the person’s wiring.” All the more reason to be sensitive at all times.

4. “Cheer up!”

See above. Nobody wants to feel anxious and scared, and telling someone to cheer up will never magically alter their mood—in fact, it will probably have the reverse effect. “I have been in public places with friends and felt like I needed to leave,” Ellie says. “The worst responses I have gotten during these instances are when my own friends respond with things like, ‘Come on, cheer up!’ or ‘You’re being weird.” In fact, there are very few things you should say in these circumstances, and “cheer up” is definitely not one of them.

Related: How to Deal with Stress & Anxiety in Your 20s

5. “Come on, it will be fun!”

One of the worst things you can do to provoke or worsen your friend’s attack is to pressure her to interact in a social setting, even if it’s just a shopping trip. “When I am having a panic attack, I just need to be alone in a quiet place; it's a nightmare for me to deal with a panic attack in a public place,” Shailagh says. “One time I had plans with my friends and, right before I left, I had a panic attack. Luckily my friends were understanding when I told them I was going to stay in for the night—I would have hated it if they had pressured me to come hang out once I had calmed down.” Remember to give your friend all the time she needs to recover.

“I find it can be very helpful, especially if the person sometimes needs to cancel plans because of anxiety, to make sure they know you'll be there for them even if that happens,” says Alaina Leary, a first-year graduate student at Emerson College, who has friends with anxiety. “They need to know that your friendship or caring is unconditional and that you'll still love them if they're too anxious to do something or to go out for a night.”

What to do instead

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of things you can say to help your friend who is having an anxiety attack. Shannon suggests “staying with the person, staying calm yourself while the other person panics.”

Alternatively, “you might suggest they try to slow their breathing down, with long slow breaths, but they may be unable to do this,” Shannon adds. “You can try to reassure them that this is a panic attack, like all things it will pass. You’re here for them until it does pass. Walking around can also help sometimes.”

What you say or do really depends on the person and the situation. “A lot of the time all we really need is an ‘It's okay,’ ‘It will be fine,’ or a ‘Your feelings are valid but you do not have to fret over this too much,’” Helmi says. Basically, always make sure your friend knows that you understand how she feels, while reassuring her that everything is going to be okay.

Ultimately, you’ll have to gauge what your friend needs when the time comes and try your best to be supportive. There’s not a lot that you can say, but there are some things that you can never say.

*Name has been changed.

Let's be honest, dad jokes are the best. They're cheesy, well-timed and straight up laughable. Having the same sort of sense of humor is both a blessing and a curse -- the latter because not everyone understands your awesome knock-knock jokes. If you can relate to any of the following, you definitely have a "dad" sense of humor: 

1. You love puns.

2. Some of your jokes don’t really make sense.

3. Or take way too long to set up.

4. You live for situational humor.

5. You think you’re super cool.

6. Mostly because you integrate pop culture into your everyday dialogue.

7. You always have a joke up your sleeve.

8. When in doubt, you add motion to your joke.

9. You tend to exaggerate.

10. You think your humor is a carefully crafted art form.

11. Even if it’s sometimes a little misplaced.

12. You really get into character.

13. You think your jokes are legendary.

14. Even though sometimes, you’re the only one laughing.

15. But in the end, at least YOU think you're funny.

You two have your own made up language or talk in fake accents 24/7. Regardless of how foreign the communication between you two is, there are some down-right outrageous things you could ONLY say to your BFF.  Maybe it's expressing how badly you must go to the bathroom, or telling her you’d totally be DTF her as she gets dressed for a date with her S.O. Maybe it is even admitting that you’re coming over only for her snack closet. But when it comes down to it, every single word translates to a pure sign of your affection and love. Here are 20 outrageous things you could only say to your best friend forever:

1. I need a good Instagram, please take picture of me

2. I'm farting and you will smell it

3. I want to marry the boy version of you

4. You have to text me while I go on this date

5. I need your help investigating

6. We need a reality show

7. Can you play with my hair?

8. My children will not be able to take after your example

9. We’d kill each other as roommates

10. Just bring wine

11. I’ll get the coffee order this time, it will just be on your personal tab

12. You're only allowed to date him if he gets my seal of approval

13. I'm posting this picture, I don't care how bad you look

14. Comfort me when I'm an old cat lady

15. We will be the coolest kids in the nursing home

16. I am coming over right now and crashing your family dinner

17. I am going to SH*T!

18. I just took a 20 minute vacation on the toilet

19. I don't have any tampons left so I'm relying on you

Amy Schumer is undoubtedly one of Hollywood's most hilarious female comedians, and Lin-Manuel Miranda is definitely a musical genius. Combined, the two create hilarious, yet clever music. Broadway's Hamilton is all the rage right now. In case you don't have the means to see the show in person, no worries! Amy and Lin-Manuel have teamed up for a brand new, original song titled "Betsy Ross."

Inspired by Hamilton, Amy contacted Lin-Manuel to help her create a catchy "hip-hopera" to promote season six of Inside Amy Schumer. In the teaser video, Amy reaches out to Lin-Manuel via Twitter with full confidence that their combined talents can create a show-stopping tune. "How hard is it to write a hip-hopera about historical wig and knee sock people?" Amy asks.

Well, Amy, Lin-Manuel makes it look WAY easier than than it actually is. For starters, you at least have to know some background info on Betsy Ross if you're going to write an entire song about her. For those drawing a blank on Betsy's significance, she created America's first flag in 1776. In the teaser clip, Amy visibly struggles to channel her inner Broadway star. It's painfully awkward to watch, but we guarantee that you won't be able to contain your laughter. 

Be sure to check out Inside Amy Schumer, returning for its sixth season on April 21!

Let’s just start this out by acknowledging the fact that I went into spring break with major FOMO. Two of my friends were taking a trip to Iceland, others camping, some going to Vegas and many taking trips up the California coast.  I, however, am feeling the encroaching presence of hardcore adulthood, so I decided to go home for break and spend the time with my mom and essentially be babied for week. It’s not the typical choice for a collegiette spring break — I mean, I could have been in Cabo living it up while some foreign lover fed me grapes and tequila. My mom always wins out in those choices though — she's beautiful, hilarious and quite the character. While the actual events of the week may not have been thrilling, I learned some very important things, so here’s what happened when I spent my spring break with her.

Day One

I drove five hours to my hometown to be greeted with my mom holding a tray of homemade enchiladas and cooking a Mexican feast. It looked like I made the right choice!

The first day mainly involved getting adjusted and feeling like a guest in my childhood home, while simultaneously obsessing over all of my friends’ Snapchat stories of their exotic vacations and luxury dinners. It’s really hard to swallow down the feeling that you’re missing out, but my mom did everything she could to make it better. We spend the night snuggled on the couch watching The Iron Giant. Childhood reigns supreme.

RELATED: 36 Questions We Still Need Our Moms to Answer

Day Two

Obviously, we went to Disneyland. My mom and I have been annual pass holders since the moment I could say “Mickey Mouse” and a Disney day is our ultimate family tradition. 

Disneyland with your mom is waaaay different than Disneyland with your friends. You have to be patient while moms walk slowly, getting distracted by every baby in a bucket hat and street performer that comes into view. The upside is that they spoil you with corndogs and churros, so you have to pick between the lesser of two evils in this situation.

Day Three

Not gonna lie, after two full days of mom time, I started to get a little antsy and grumpy. It’s not because of my mom, but just being home in general is always a weird experience. It’s hard to come home and have rules, a curfew and strange happenings all forced on you again, essentially taking away the careful routine and freedom that’s established at college (aka bingeing on Netflix and buttered cheese rolls in bed). Let’s just say that I definitely experienced a learning curve here. Despite my mood, my mom always makes the best of things and we visited our local puppy store to cheer me up. I swear, puppy breath has magical properties. I also taught her how to use Faceswap on Snapchat, so that endeavor lasted a good three hours. 

Basically, everyone, always be nice to your moms because they love you. If you feel annoyed with them, I promise it’s not actually anything they’re doing. You’re probably just projecting the anger as a result of some other crappy part of your painstakingly average college life.

Day Four

We sat on opposite ends of the couch and read Jojo Moyes’ book Me Before You both of us finishing it in under seven hours. Needless to say we spent the next two hours crying about the — well I won't spoil it for you! — and watching the movie trailer religiously, discussing every aspect of it. We concluded by nursing our pain with burritos.

RELATED: 17 Signs You're Turning Into Your Mother

Day Five

My mom and I are not the most active people, usually preferring to remain horizontal than dare to move around and burn a calorie, but one of our favorite athletic-person pastimes is kayaking. We headed to a small lake near our house and kayaked around for about two hours before giving up and seeking out food and wine.

Day Six

The last day I spent at home was bittersweet because it felt like I had finally adjusted to being there again, but still desperately wanted to go back to school. It would be nice if I could magically lift my house and plant it right next to my college so that I could have the best fo both worlds. Since I won’t be going home for summer, this day my mom and I went around to all of my favorite places in Temecula (Alberto’s Taco Shop, Get Air trampoline park and the Old Town Theater) so that I could get one big blast of home before leaving again. Honestly, it felt more like being with a friend than being with my mom.

RELATED: 19 Signs You're the Mom of Your Friend Group

Here’s What I Learned

No, my spring break wasn’t the most exciting. I stuck to my plan of only seeing my mother the entire week and doing various activities with her. I’m a person that deeply loves my mother, but even in this case I was nervous about how I would feel. It’s different to talk to your mom on the phone every day than to actually spend every single waking hour together.

What I learned from this experience is that I miss my mom more than I thought. I get so wrapped up in trying to adult, manage my classes and be the star of my social scene that I lose touch with myself and the things that fulfill me. Being home for a week and seeing myself as the beautiful person my mom thinks I am kept me grounded. It sucked the tension from my shoulders and put a spring back in my step that my college life doesn’t do.

I would encourage everyone to stop feeling the pressure of FOMO, and to skip a trip with friends or a summer abroad to just go be with your family. Mom hugs are the best hugs, and whether you’re at a low place in life or the highest you’ve ever been, pay a visit to your mom and be reminded how special and wonderful you are. 

If there's anything we've learned, it's that Kylie Jenner's life is not as glamorous as it seems. We've all seen the videos and photos of Kylie getting swarmed by fans and paparazzi. However, recently Kylie has been criticized for lashing out at a fan while trying to get dinner at a restaurant in Hollywood. In the video footage, you can clearly see Kylie being grabbed by fans (as per usual). As a fan tried to get a hold of Kylie in order to snap a photo, Kylie can be heard saying, "Please, don't touch me."

Considering the circumstances, we think Kylie's response was totally understandable and justified. However, not everyone agrees. People took to twitter to call out Kylie for being rude to the fan, prompting Kylie to set the record straight. In a few tweets, Kylie explained that it's frightening when people surround her like that—after all, with light bulbs flashing in your face like that, it's actually pretty hard to see who's grabbing you. It turns out that the fan later went into the restaurant to apologize, and Kylie took photos with her.

While we don’t always agree with signaling fashion out as “plus-sized,” we can appreciate any brand that creates a wider rage of sizes—especially when they do it in style. A lot of stores are saying “so long” to the shapeless sacks that used to define the plus-sized section, according to Allison, the fashionista behind the blog Curvy Girl Chic. Allison is an expert and dished all about her favorite brands that celebrate every body type. Read on for the best of the best, and get ready to start that shopping cart!

1. Eloquii

Every curvy girl needs a little Eloquii in her closet. Allison raves about the brand, saying it's her favorite for "refined but playful and always seriously chic clothing." The site only carries sizes 14 to 24, so they know what they're doing when it comes to dressing a fuller figure.

2. Forever 21

Everyone’s favorite store for inexpensive, on-trend pieces doesn’t exclude anyone with its sizing. The Forever 21+ collection is perfect for any curvy girl looking to stay on trend without breaking the bank, whether you're shopping swimsuits during the warmer months or sweaters and outerwear when the temps drop.

3. Old Navy

Old Navy has stepped up its fashion game in the past few seasons, and its plus-size section has never been cuter. This site is your one-stop shop for everything from wardrobe staples like jeans and graphic tees, to workout gear and loungewear. They always have a great sale going on, and everything looks far more expensive than what you actually pay.

4. H&M+

H&M plus is one of Allison's favorites "for staples like tees and tanks." H&M has always been a go-to for stylish, high-quality clothes that don't break the bank, and their plus-sized options are no exception. Style tip: "H&M definitely runs about a full size small!" Allison warns.

5. Lane Bryant

Don’t think that Lane Bryant is just for older women! The brand’s classic vibe is perfect for any curvy girl, whether you’re in your teens, twenties or above. They also have an amazing selection of suits and other office-appropriate wear, making this a solid option for every career-oriented collegiette.

6. ASOS

Whether you’re looking to splurge on a gown or save and stock up on basic tees, ASOS Curve has you covered. "ASOS Curve has a huge variety of plus-size pieces," Allison says. The site also carries some UK-only brands and ships them stateside, so you’ll be rocking some one-of-a-kind looks you really can’t get anywhere else.

7. Target

You can’t have a list of stores without including every collegiette's favorite, Target. If you’re looking for clothes that are accessible, affordable and still fashionable, you can’t go wrong here. Plus, just like Old Navy, they carry just about everything you need, including activewear and undergarments.

And that's a wrap! No matter where you shop, or what size you are, Allison has some great advice for being confident and rocking what you've got. "Don't be afraid to try different styles, cuts, and colors," she says. "The time to experiment with fashion and your personal style is now, and you should never worry about fashion "rules" as long as you love what you're wearing!" For daily fashion inspiration, be sure to follow Allison on Instagram and check out her blog!

Let’s be real here: we still aren't over the end of Harry Potter, which is arguably one of the greatest franchises to ever live. Even Blake Lively showed us that she, too, is still a die-hard fan of the series by posting this photo to her Instagram earlier on Tuesday.

Lively showed her love and appreciation for the films by getting the Deathly Hallows mark painted on her ring finger in a subtle shade of pink. If that’s not dedication, we don't know what is.

This isn't the first time the actress has publicly announced her love for the series. She also showed her support for the films earlier this year when she posted this photo to recognize the late Alan Rickman after his passing. And yes, it's something that still has us tearing up.

In its history as a brand, Victoria’s Secret has faced its fair share of controversy for featuring predominantly slim models who fit a certain (pretty unrealistic) body type in their runway shows and ad campaigns. Recently, Erin Heatherton, a model who's been central to the brand for the past several years, has come forth with some troubling information: she revealed that executives had told her that she needed to lose weight.

Women who are consumers of these brands aren't the only ones who suffer from those unrealistic standards; models, in an effort to maintain their careers, are known to go to unhealthy extremes to to fit the mold.

This was the case with Heatherton, but fortunately she was able to realize the abnormal nature of what she was putting her body through, and since leaving Victoria’s Secret in 2013 has gradually seen progress in her body, mind and spirit since.

Since she is no longer associated with the company, she has recently opened up about her struggle on social media. In a recent Instagram post, she wrote about how she has evolved, and how she feels more comfortable in her skin after returning to a healthier state—and, most admirably, she hopes to inspire other women to take the journey with her.

According to Charlize Theron, being a beautiful woman in Hollywood is not easy. In an interview with British GQ, the Oscar winner revealed that there are more pressures that come with being a female actress than we all may think.

"Jobs with real gravitas go to people that are physically right for them and that's the end of the story," she said. "How many roles are out there for the gorgeous, fucking, gown-wearing eight-foot model? When meaty roles come through, I've been in the room and pretty people get turned away first."

Theron appears on the cover of British GQ's May edition in which she discusses her experiences being typecast and being denied jobs based on her looks. She makes a pretty good point in her interview but we still can't seem to get past how ridiculous it is to hear her say the pretty women don't get the jobs that they want. Especially considering that Charlize Theron, an actress who is known for being absolutely stunning, won an Oscar over a decade ago after playing a serial killer in Monster. 

The 40-year-old actress also discussed the pressures of aging in Hollywood.

"It would be a lie to say there is less worry for women as they get older than there is for men," she said. "It feels there's this unrealistic standard of what a woman is supposed to look like when she's over 40."

Yes—it's important to talk about how much judgement Hollywood places on women based solely on their looks... but Charlize, we're pretty sure you could have made this point in a more eloquent way than to complain about being pretty.

Being famous definitely come with its perks—but it also comes with many downfalls. You're constant in the public eye, and it seems to make people think they can insult you in whatever way they please. Iskra Lawrence, Aerie and British model, recently faced some backlash for one of her Instagram photos, on which one user decided to call her a “fat cow,” and also expressed “Plus-size models? give me a F*****g breaking. Everyone needs to stop eating McDonald's, the NHS is f****d because of people like her eating too many bags of crisps." Harsh, much? But, don’t worry, being the total badass model she is, she fought back with this Instagram photo, that “is for anyone who has ever been called FAT.”

And wait, it gets even better.

She then went on to post this slo-mo video of her eating a bag of chips, which is ALL of us.

At the end of her post, she even kindly apologized to her fans for her own rant. But, truthfully, no apology was needed in a situation like this.  

This is all just a big middle finger to all of her haters and the Instagram user who slammed her with hateful words. Nicely done, Iskra. It’s people like her that keep the body positivity movement going in the right direction.

No one claims that finding a job is easy. What’s even more difficult? Finding a job that kick-starts your career with people you like and benefits that set you up for financial, physical and emotional well-being.

When you’re job searching, it’s critical to do your research ahead of time and decide what’s right for you. One way to know that you’ve found a potentially great place to work is by looking at how supportive that company is of women. Here’s our list of 5 key indicators (and a few red flags) that can hint at a positive and female-friendly environment.

1. Female role models

The first thing that can show whether or not a company is supportive of women is the presence of other, successful women. Are there women on the board, or in the C-suite? Do they exist beyond traditional “female” leadership roles like HR or Marketing?

Having women at the top matters because it shows they belong in leadership roles and positions of power. If your industry is one traditionally dominated by men, such as tech or finance, it makes even more of a difference. According to Harvard Business School, finding allies in your identity group allows you to explore and change current practices—giving you the confidence to make an impact.

If you’re trying to assess how women are treated at an organization, and there aren’t any women to ask, there might be a problem. “Generally, I ask pro-women questions during an interview, preferably to another woman,” says Charis Loveland, Sr. Program Manager at Microsoft Cortana Analytics Suite. If you don’t ask, you won’t know.

Related: What To Do If You Find Yourself Unemployed In Your '20s 

2. Support of women’s empowerment events and groups

Knowing your senior leadership has ties to important women’s associations can indicate whether or not they’ll be more supportive of your personal development. Says Alaina Leary, Jr. Social Media Designer at Rue La La, “I found out my boss and the owner had ties to the Women Business Owners Association in the area, so I knew she was supportive. Looking for that kind of thing, on a prospective employer’s website or on LinkedIn, can give you a sense.”

Does your company sponsor women-powered events or promote women’s leadership in groups or forums? Says Charis, who’s Massachusetts-based, “An awesome way to assess a company’s reputation with women is at women’s conferences. I generally attend The Massachusetts Conference for Women, the Simmons Leadership Conference, and the Grace Hopper Conference. All of these are excellent venues to discuss work experiences with other women.”

Does your company of interest have smaller, female-centric groups within the company, like support groups, women's forums, or informal women's groups? Being able to speak up about what’s bothering you to a group of people going through the same things can help change an existing culture or set the right tone in any office. 

Great events happen everywhere. Is it acceptable and encouraged by your company of interest to find such events? Even better, do the men of that company attend such events or conferences? Money shows what companies value, and if they’re willing to put up the dough to send a significant amount of women to a conference devoted to working and talking through women’s issues, it’s a sign they care about that population of the workforce. 

3. Women’s health benefits

Though you may balk at the idea of having a baby this early in your career, the presence of significant maternity (and paternity) leave lets you know whether or not it’s possible in the future, and can be a good litmus test of other women-friendly health policies.

The news can be a good place to start. The New York Times’recent expose on Amazon’s culture—particularly related to how they treat women coming back from maternity leave—made headlines. Amazon has since revamped its policies, but it’s more important than ever to do some research and a quick Google search on your prospective employer, or reach out to your current HR representative. Other roundup lists, such as this one from Money Magazine, can give a great snapshot of the best policies in your industry.

If women repeatedly feel pressured or punished by taking time off from work to start a family, it may not be a good environment—whether or not you’re planning to do the same.

4. Equal pay for equal work

How women get penalized for equal work is a hot topic these days, and for good reason. Since it's common policy not to talk about salaries, you likely won't be able to figure out what your peers (both male and female) are making at a specific company; but it's a good idea to do your research on the industry and get an idea of how much you should expect to make in the position you're interested in, based on your past experience and the title you're aiming for.

There are a few hints you can look for; particularly how executives and leadership talk about gender parity (if they talk about it at all). Some companies, like Salesforce, have taken a public stance on the issue, paying nearly $3 billion to close their pay gap. While this may start a trend of disclosing gender gap as part of earnings, it’s fairly hush-hush for the most part.

You can also look for gender parity on rating sites like Glassdoor, which can give you a bit of insight not only into the company culture via reviews but also potential salaries, interview questions, and more—incredibly useful for someone on the job hunt!

Related: The Global Gender Pay Gap Won't Close For 118 Years

5. Do they value you?

Being valued as an employee matters, whether you’re a woman or not. When you’re interviewing, are they listening to what you have to say? If a prospective employer doesn’t take you seriously in an interview, there’s no way they’ll listen to what you have to say in the day-to-day environment. Says Alaina, “I turned down a job offer in 2015 because I could tell the company wasn’t supportive of women—the interviewers literally laughed at one of my suggestions and put me down with a snide comment. I was shocked when they even sent me an offer.” 

This type of behavior is unacceptable no matter your gender.

“In general, being taken seriously, being valued, and not being asked sexist questions or treated in a sexist way [during the interview] are all good signs,” Alaina said. “Every interviewer [at my current company] valued my skill set, ideas, and opinions—they took me and what I had to say seriously.”

If a company isn’t supportive of its employees in general, chances are they aren’t supportive of women either. Making sure that a potential company (or your current one) values your contributions will make a difference not just for your career, but for your happiness, too.

So many song lyrics are based on love, so what are you supposed to do when there aren’t any songs about the butterflies that fit your identity? Find some, of course! Here are just a couple of songs either made by queer artists or that address the queer community. Get your playlist ready!

1. Hannah and Maggie: “The Land and The Sea”

Hannah and Maggie are an award-winning folk duo who went to Smith College together and are now based in both NYC and Northampton, Massachusetts. Their harmonies are tight and their friendship is absolutely adorable – one of our favorite groups right now!

2. Perfume Genius: “Hood”

Perfume Genius, also known as Mike Hadreas, just released his second album, Too Bright, which is deeply dark and powerful. After listening to one song, we were completely hooked because of his lyrics, gorgeous melodies and blues-y feel.

3. Sam Smith: “Latch”

We’re betting you’ve heard of Sam Smith, the Brit who’s taking the music world by storm and breaking barriers by being open about his relationship (and breakup) with his boyfriend. He recently brought home four Grammys, and we are so excited to see where this artist goes!

4. Austra: “Home”

In an interview with AfterEllen, Katie Stelmanis, the lead singer of Austra, said “All I ever wanted was to be a gay band,” so we thought it was only fair that Austra was included in this roundup. Austra is a Toronto-based electropop group that uses electronics in an incredibly quirky and catchy way – give them a listen and you won’t be let down.

5. Patrick Wolf: “The Magic Position”

Patrick Wolf almost has an ‘80s vibe with his up-tempo, pop songs in conjunction with his deep, vibrato-rich voice. This London-based musician has dark music videos that have a great message about self-acceptance and social justice.

6. Jenny Lewis: “Just One of the Guys”

We’re obsessed with ex-Rilo Kiley lead singer Jenny Lewis’s seductive, slightly gravelly mezzo. She’s becoming more and more well-known, as demonstrated by the fact that she was able to land Anne Hathaway, Brie Larson and Kristen Stewart for her music video! Her beats are catchy and this song has been stuck in our heads for weeks.

7. Making Friendz: “Situation”

Making Friendz is in every way a fusion band. Tami Hart, the lead singer of Making Friendz, says that the band’s song list is full of “lesbian anthems.” Definitely an upbeat group to blast when you’re getting ready to go out or if you just want a soundtrack for your inner ‘90s grunge lesbian – we’re totally getting those vibes!

8. JD Samson, MEN: “Off Our Backs”

MEN calls itself a queer art collective, and with JD Samson, a gender activist and DJ based in New York, headlining their new LP, they’re bound to go places. Their work is heavily dance- and pop-influenced and, again, they’re totally a group to rock out to on a Friday night.

9. Demi Lovato: “Really Don’t Care

We’re positive you’ve heard of Demi Lovato, but the Disney starlet has fully blossomed into an anthemic pop queen who’s a proud advocate of LGBTQ+ rights. She’s got a killer range and voice and a “bite me” attitude that we just can’t get enough of.

10. Mary Lambert: “Secrets”

Mary Lambert took the music world by storm by singing the hook on Macklemore’s “Same Love,” but she’s an artist in her own right who produces beautiful, emotional spoken word poetry and catchy pop tunes. She’s also a proud lesbian and creates anthems for the LGBTQ+ community.

11. Tegan and Sara: “Closer”

Tegan and Sara

To conclude your LGBTQ+ playlist, who else should we look to but the holy grail of lesbian duos, Tegan and Sara? They’re well loved both in the LGBTQ+ and the non-queer pop scene. Really, listen to any Tegan and Sara song and you’ll be set – their pop melodies are unbelievably catchy, and once you start listening, you won’t be able to stop!

Want the full playlist? We’ve put it together for you here!

You can definitely find music that fits both your taste and identity; in this playlist alone, there’s folk, pop, indie, electronic and grunge! These are just some of our personal favorite LGBTQ+-friendly songs, though – let us know what some of your favorites are below!

Actress and comedian Amy Schumer wasn’t too happy to learn that she was featured in a special issue of Glamour magazine dedicated to plus-size women. Schumer says that the magazine included her without her permission and without any concern for her own self-identification. She added that the implications could be detrimental for young girls who read Glamour.  

“Plus size is considered size 16 in America. I go between a size 6 and an 8… Young girls seeing my body type thinking that is plus size? What are your thoughts? Mine are not cool glamour not glamourous,” Schumer vented on Instagram.

Schumer is definitely not the only celebrity to take issue with the controversial term. Model Ashley Graham, who recently made history by appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated, said at SXSW in March, “I think the word ‘plus-sized’ is totally outdated. It shouldn’t be about labels. I don’t want to be called a label, I want to be called a model.”

And Schumer agrees, “Bottom line seems to be that these labels are unnecessary and reserved for women.” 

Glamour has since issued an apology, stating, “First off, we love Amy, and our readers do too – which is why we featured her on the cover of Glamour last year. The cover line on this special edition – which is aimed at women size 12 and up – simply says "Women Who Inspire Us," since we believe her passionate and vocal message of body positivity IS inspiring, as is the message of the many other women, of all sizes, featured. The edition did not describe her as plus-size. We are sorry if we offended her in any way.”

Last night, Kerry Washington went on Facebook and Instagram to share her excitement about being featured on the cover of Adweek. But there's just one problem: her image has been retouched and altered to the point that she can hardly recognize herself.

This is not the first time Washington has fallen victim to a Photoshop fail. In 2013, Lucky Magazine received backlash for using an image of Washington that had been poorly doctored to make her skin appear lighter. Just last year, InStyle featured Washington on the cover, and her fans were quick to call out that her skin had been lightened once again. InStyle responded by saying it was not Photoshop but rather the lights in the studio that were responsible for the lightness of her complexion in the image.

This time, however, the changes are much more noticeable. Not only was Washington's skin tone lightened, but her face seems to be altered slightly as well. She commented, “It felt strange to look at a picture of myself that is so different from what I look like when I look in the mirror. It's an unfortunate feeling.”

Washington clarified that she has long loved, appreciated and learned from Adweek. She encouraged fans to look past the cover and read the article about her inside the magazine, which she said she is "very proud of."

Washington's response was classy and honest, and we expect nothing less from her. Hopefully, Adweek and other magazines will take notice of her statement and ease up on digital alterations. It's understandable to retouch an image to improve the quality, but to alter an image to the point that the person in the picture cannot even recognize herself? That is unacceptable.

In a recent tell-all interview, Beyoncé challenged the feminist label that many have tried to pin on her since her 2014 Mrs. Carter tour, during which the term flashed across stadium screens in neon pink lettering. 

The leading lady of pop culture says, “I put the definition of feminist in my song ["Flawless"] and on my tour, not for propaganda or to proclaim to the world that I'm a feminist, but to give clarity to the true meaning. I'm not really sure people know or understand what a feminist is, but it's very simple. It's someone who believes in equal rights for men and women.”

Despite self-identifying as a feminist in the past, Beyoncé argues that being a so-called feminist, for her, is really more akin to being a humanist. 

“Ask anyone, man or woman, 'Do you want your daughter to have 75 cents when she deserves $1?' What do you think the answer would be? Working to make those inequalities go away is being a feminist, but more importantly, it makes me a humanist,” she argues. 

The star adds that the public’s incessant need to label her or box her in is exhausting—especially when all she’s really trying to advocate for is equality for all, regardless of sex, race, religion or social status. 

And as for those who still say she can’t be a feminist and embrace her femininity, Beyoncé says affirmatively, “We all know that’s not true.” 

It seems like Taylor Swift has won every music-related award imaginable and there’s no new honors left for her to receive—until now. Broadcast Music, Inc. announced that at the 64th annual BMI Pop Music Awards on May 10, Swift will be presented with the Taylor Swift Award.

BMI Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Barbara Cane explained what the award entails. “Taylor Swift has transformed pop culture through her songs, artistry and indomitable spirit. She has had a profound impact, not only musically, but also through her personal conviction and commitment to create a standard that values and respects music for everyone. We felt it appropriate to award Taylor with an honor that is as unique and special as she is.”

It truly is unique. The only other instance in which BMI presented an artist with an award named in their honor was in 1990, when they awarded Michael Jackson with the Michael Jackson Award of Achievement.

Has Swift become as influential on pop music as the King of Pop himself—enough to receive an award named after her in the same manner? That’s debatable. Nonetheless, congratulations to Taylor Swift for… being Taylor Swift.