“Students sit through lectures all day. We don’t want students being bored or terrified while talking about this topic; we want a more open atmosphere where students can have fun while becoming more open and open-minded.” –Mary McDaniel
Sexologist Joni Frater demonstrates how to use a dental dam while practicing safe oral sex at Sex Ed Boot Camp Monday evening in Webb Hall.
Jordan Storrer/The Bulletin
Students who attended Sex Ed Boot Camp, presented by sexologists Joni Frater and Esther Lastique Monday night in Webb Hall, walked away with the knowledge to lead happier and healthier sex lives – and then some.
“Our goal is to fill in all the blanks of sex and sexuality,” Frater said. “We want to engage people and try to draw them out and they can grow from the experience. Knowledge is power, only if you know how to apply it.”
Mary McDaniel, assistant director of Health Services at the Student Wellness Center, said the duo were very well-received when they came to campus last April and that having the program in fall would better benefit students.
Frater and Lastique said Sex Ed Boot Camp is equally tailored for students who want to remain abstinent, students who are or want to be sexually active and students seeking or currently in a sexual relationship.
“Loving ourselves is the most fundamental and basic sexual love affair we can have,” Lastique said.
Frater and Lastique said Sex Ed Boot Camp is a safe and judgment-free zone. A few students who volunteered for the event passed around a bucket for students to ask questions anonymously. After the presentation, Frater and Lastique answered the questions from students.
“There was a lot of information that I’m really glad they pointed out,” said Noble Orajiato, junior communication major and student assistant for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Program. “I was with my boss when I heard about the event and asked if I could help. I recommend this program to students who want the facts about sex without being lectured.”
Many students found the open environment and comically-delivered honesty about sex and masturbation beneficial.
“I definitely felt this program furthered students’ education on the human body,” said Brandon Wells, senior elementary education major and vice president of Greeks Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol. “The real statistics were good for college students to know, and I like that they don’t beat around the bush.”
Donna Drake, GAMMA adviser and counselor, said that she thought students appreciated the openness. She also said she firmly believes that the more we talk about sex, the less taboo it becomes.
“Students sit through lectures all day,” McDaniel said. “We don’t want students being bored or terrified while talking about this topic; we want a more open atmosphere where students can have fun while becoming more open and open-minded.”
Frater said they don’t “knock” religion at all, but even people who have chosen to be abstinent need this information and that all people have permission to love their own body.
“We chose to do this on campuses because of (the) increase of sexually transmitted infections among college campuses,” Frater said. “College students were not getting enough information or even the right information about sex.”
Student interaction is Lastique’s favorite part of the program, she said.
“It’s really heart-warming to work with them,” Lastique said. “We started doing more Midwest campuses because we actually got more requests. We come through Kansas every semester. If you want to be the most successful parent, teach your kids the actual facts about sex.”