Vassar spends week embracing healthy sexuality

Sarah Brown Life Editor

Despite the impending onslaught of finals and a dramatic temperature drop, events in the first week of December helped to make it one of the sexiest of the semester. Each of the sex-related events was designed to promote healthy attitudes about sexuality on campus, and occurred around the thirteenth annual World AIDS Day (Dec. 1) and the 16 days of activism against gender violence (Nov. 25-Dec. 10).

Main House got the ball rolling by choosing “Condoms and Candy” for the theme of their weekly study break on Wednesday, Nov. 30. According to Main House President Rachel Zoghlin ’07, the goal behind the study break was “to enforce the message that safe[r] sex is always a better option than unprotected sex,” and to provide information about the CHOICE program on campus. Aproximately 80 condoms were distributed, as well as female condoms and dental dams.

“I think it’s great that they gave out condoms,” said Elke Mermis ’09, who attended the study break. “It’s cool to know that [Main House representatives] really think it’s important that we keep [ourselves] safe.”

The next sex-related event on campus was far more serious in tone. On Dec. 1, in observance of World AIDS Day, two performances of Dan Gallagher's AIDS-education play "Between the Seams" were given at the College Chapel. The free event ocurred thanks to the efforts of local organizations, AIDS-Related Community Services (ARCS) and the Dutchess County HIV Planning Council, as well as a grant from the Dyson Foundation and the Vassar College AIDS Education Committee. Outside of the College, a candlelight memorial vigil was held at the Family Partnership Center and was sponsored by community partners and AIDS service organizations from the Arlington/Poughkeepsie community.

On Dec. 2, students who wandered into UpCDC to escape the bitter cold were able to jettison their inhibitions and outer layers, feeding each other chocolate fondue-covered fruit while enjoying the 70’s porn projected in the background at the Squirm-hosted event, Hot Chocolate. Squirm called the event a "Night of Decadence" for the Vassar community and served over $1,000 worth of desserts, including Snickers pies, black forest cake and cheesecakes, fondue (including a vegan-friendly batch), cannolis, fruit, and whipped cream. They also served tea, sparkling cider, coffee, milk and (naturally) hot chocolate.

According to Squirm Literary Editor Kristy Lilas ’06, the event was started four years ago and continues to be one of the two major fundraisers for the magazine.

“While we do hold the event to raise money, our primary purpose was to promote self-indulgence, positive body image, and positive expression of sexuality and sexual energy,” said Lilas.

“Hot Chocolate” was staffed by around 17 students and more than 200 people attended. “It went better this year” because it was held in the Students’ Building,” said Lilas. While Squirm deemed the event a success, some attendees were disappointed.

Adam Greenberg ’09 felt that the event was “tepid, and not a turn-on.”

“People didn’t really seem that into it,” said Jessica Monmaney ’08. “But the fondue and fruit was delicious.”

The climax to the week of sexuality was SEXPO, a tabling event held this past Wednesday, Dec. 7,
in the Villard Room. Run by Office of Health Education Director Michelle Soucy and a group of students known as Peer Wellness Educators, Sexpo provided tables aimed to promote healthy sexuality through activities and handouts.

This year marked the fifth anniversary of SEXPO, and was themed “Let’s go Exploring…Under the Sheets!” Tables arrayed in the Villard Room had many activities, including one that instructed attendees on how to make their own love poem, and another that provided information on STDs/STIs.

“We wanted to have fun activities, as well as provide information, in the hope that [it would] lead to discussion about safe, consensual sex and would promote students to think about sexual behavior that is fun, safe, and right for them,” said Office of Health Education Intern Jen Cormano ’06.

All of these events highlighted a campus-wide desire to explore issues of sexuality. As a College interested in progressive dialogue, groups are realizing that, as the saying goes, sex really does sell. This prompted the group Democracy Matters to hand out condoms at their recent pizza/condom party at the Mug.

“Distributing condoms is an effective way of covertly enhancing students’ knowledge on issues surrounding publically-financed elections,” said Democracy Matters member Amy Dowley ’08. “Students might not grab a Democracy Matters pin or pamphlet, but when you offer a condom, no one can refuse.”