campus engagement log #1

This past Friday I attended "Let's Talk about Sex, Baby!", an event sponsored by VOX: Voices for Planned Parenthood. According to their Facebook page, VOX at UCF "exists to educate the university community about reproductive health and rights, to translate increased awareness into pro-choice activism on campus, and to serve as a coalition partner to state, national, and international reproductive rights efforts." Their event, which took place at Paradise (a local bar in Orlando) boasted sex toy raffles, free condoms, a dildo ring toss and other games. Events such as these may on the surface seem silly, but they are important in that they link entertainment (fake orgasm contests) to heavier topics: safe sex, for example. While much fun was to be had, sex education trivia, pamphlets and presentations about VOX's work made the event moreover educational in nature.

"Third wave" feminist culture has allowed for more fun to seep into learning about reproductive health, and added a youthful aspect to women's rights that hadn't existed previously. Magazines like BUST and Bitch publish lesbian sex stories, advocate eco-friendly menstrual cups and review pornographic films. Jezebel.com's "Lady Business" section publishes tongue-in-cheek articles like "This Is How Much It Costs to Own a Vagina: An Itemized List." Male-dominated social news website Reddit has multiple feminist-related boards that boast hundreds of thousands of readers. Through Facebook, VOX was able to invite over 800 guests to "Let's Talk about Sex, Baby!" at once, add updates and information about the event as it grew closer, and easily communicate with attendees. With the assistance of the Internet and other modern media, feminism, as well as sexual health, has become not just widely received, but popular.

Some feminists may argue that events such as "Let's Talk about Sex, Baby!", BUST Magazine, and other events and media that take a lighthearted approach to women's issues aren't productive or serious enough, but what makes them important is that they open up dialogue in a way which does not alienate, allowing for discussion and consideration of more critically important topics. With events such as "Let's Talk about Sex", those who may have shied away from an austere feminist rally or an STD testing event have the opportunity to learn more about reproductive health in an enjoyable environment, free from judgement. "Let's Talk about Sex, Baby!" was an altogether successful, entertaining and educational event, one which I am glad I had the opportunity to attend regardless of campus engagement requirements!