At the age of 12, Katie, a then-pubescent fan of hair metal, first noticed the prevalence of the term "slut," manifesting in both the music she loved and the world around her. She began to understand that slutiness was not assessed based on actual or perceived promiscuity but rather a complicated web of environmental, class, and style factors from which she must dissociate. In her 30s, Katie participates in the SlutWalk protest. After questioning what to wear to the protest to appear "slutty enough," she recognizes her ability to be simultaneously a slut and a prude in this society, and decides to dress as herself.

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