Wet Your Curiosity

Workshop Arouses Sexual Curiosity
Submitted by Jamie Wollberg on Sun, 10/24/2010 - 05:43
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Photo Credit: Jessie Rumpf

Eyes were kept erect in the Red Room on Oct. 13, as GLBTU and the Alternative Clinic came together for an informative and amusing sex toy workshop.

There were multiple demonstrations using various rubber body parts, condoms, dental dams, and lube. To open the workshop, GLBTU Co-President Devon Charles explained what it would entail, and opened the floor for introductions.

The workshop was lead by a panel of students involved in the Alternative Clinic, including Co-President Leslie Gurkin.

A few of her interns, such as women's studies and sociology major Harley Aussoleil and pre-med student Denise Kelly, assisted in spreading the information. They spoke about safe sex, how to have good sex, proper use of sex toys, and how to clean them.

According to the panel, a clinician comes to campus each Wednesday and birth control can be delivered there as well.

When participants were done laughing, they were allowed to grab tons of condoms, flavored lube, and informational pamphlets.

“I thought it was very informative and fun,” said GLBTU Events Coordinator Anthony O’Shea.

Gurkin mentioned that Aussoleil, who is also the co-president of the club Transaction, brought the idea for the workshop to her attention. Gurkin said that combining GLBTU and the clinic was a great way to cover the sexual needs of different types of youth on campus.

Kelly also spoke about the realities and dangers of unsafe sex. "The culture that we promote is just more open about sex and sexuality in this day and age,” she said. “It isn’t all rainbows and sunshine, and can ultimately lead to death."

Aussoleil said it’s important to feel comfortable when it comes to sex. “I think it’s important for women to have a place where they feel safe," she said. “Especially if you’re trans-sexual or trans-gendered, or if you’re a queer woman. It’s not assumed that you’re having sex with a man.”

The Alternative Clinic is open Monday’s and Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Health Services (CCS) and GLBTU meets at 10 p.m. every Wednesday in (CCS)