As someone who went to a Catholic high school for three years and a public school in Missouri for one, I have received little to no education about safe sex outside of my own research. To provide some perspective: 36 states require abstinence-only education and 11 states have no mandate regarding sexual education. Even in schools with a well-funded sex ed program, they neglect to discuss topics that fall outside the realm of heteronormative and cisgender sex. The school system has failed so many of us and we hope to fill the gap the system has left in our education by establishing the sex education program house. For many students, college is the first time they are able to explore their sexuality without the cisgendered, heteronormative and abstinence-only attitudes perpetuated by so many public institutions.
When we were in the beginning steps of this house we came to the question: how can we create a sex-positive, inclusive and safe environment? We hope to answer that. Sex Ed house aims to find the common ground between education, discussion and peer support.
By providing an intentional location, we can establish a concrete place for students to get information and congregate, but we don’t want to stop there. Our house is made up of a diverse group of students, each suited to educate a different group of people, whether it be on sports teams, in academic clubs or otherwise.
Sex education is not solely about the logistics of preventing STIs, but it is about facilitating open dialogue about taboo topics. Through regular discussion, we hope to eliminate sexual assault/harassment on campus and establish a positive culture for students of every identity. Given recent events, it has become apparent that the College is far from immune to sexual assault and harassment on grounds of sexuality or gender identity. Through promoting safety, consent and respect, perhaps we can begin to shrink the stigma around sex and gender.
We want to be able to help students and give them direction as they define and redefine their views of sex, sexuality and relationships throughout their years here. We will be holding open, biweekly meetings to encourage casual and open discussions about a designated theme. This house is distinctive from other clubs on campus, because Sex Ed house is to be an intentional space for students in search of direction whether they be in need of medical attention, counselor support or otherwise — our goal is to point them in the right direction. We can provide a wide variety of information about birth control, STI prevention, STI testing, gender-inclusive condoms and so much more. Whether someone has had basic sexual education, very thorough sex ed or none at all, there is always more that can be learned.
In establishing our house, we have made an effort to gather students from all different backgrounds and sexualities. We have 10 people with unique experiences that make them specially qualified to participate in and lead discussions about safe sex. Sex Ed house is not simply about our four years at the College, but it is about creating an enduring culture of safety, positivity and education for generations of students to come.
Amber Rush, a Contributing Writer for the Voice, can be reached for comment at ARush22@wooster.edu.