2008 Woodie Awards
Sex fair educates students
Jonathan Pearson
Issue date: 2/27/06 Section: Culture
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The consent tent, which was not approved by the administration because of "liabilities," had posters surrounding its planned location which explained its purpose and read "Consent Tent: rest in peace."
"It was disappointing that there couldn't be the consent tent," Jane Webb, junior, vice president of Feminists United. "I feel the administration missed the point and we knew how crucial it was [to have the tent] for this event."
Over 600 students attended the six-hour event. Feminists United raised $600 to reimburse costs and finance more events in the future.
"It was definitely an undeniable success," Webb said. "This just proves that despite any disapproval from the administration, our students were supportive of the event and gained knowledge and ownership of their sexuality."
Mel Tyler, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs, prepared a statement to quell concerns about the event's educational value.
"The Sex Fair program was approved by the UMKC Office of Student Affairs, based on the educational value the event brings to participants," Tyler stated. "No university funds were provided."
Booths filled with sensual foods, novelties and information lined the auditorium so students could browse and learn about the fun as well as safety of sexual activity. Games and workshops with guest speakers began every half hour. Students 18 and older could also buy raffle tickets for sex toy baskets and have their faces painted.
Informational tents out front offered students brochures, pamphlets and even free condoms. By the end of the evening, the most widely-read brochure was about birth control.
"It is so crucial to provide students with information about their bodies and their sexualities," Webb said, "since they don't often have sources of this information."
Feminists United also served foods that are considered natural aphrodisiacs. This included strawberries, chocolate, grapes, blackberries - even asparagus and avocados. A slide show set the mood for the event; the imagery and artwork emphasized sexual ideas.
Webb stressed the importance of educating students about sex.
"Our students are having sex and we need to make sure that it is first of all a safe act, so that it can be a positive experience," Webb said. "After all, safe sex is fun sex."
jpearson@unews.com
