Sexversations

Students of Frostburg State University engaging in the intriguing topic of sex.

 

 

 

With the word sex in the title, it is no wonder that the event, Sexversations, would attract many college students on a Monday night.  On October 28, 2013, presenters, Kelly Addington and Becca Tieder, experts on sexual assault and sexual awareness, engaged the audience with knowledge, while making them get out of their comfort zones.  

Addington and Tieder’s goal was to leave the audience sexually empowered by getting people to discuss topics about sex that seemed unacceptable to talk about in public such as virginity, vaginas ,and penises. To start the talk off, students were given an option to speak up or text up.

Students could answer some of the intriguing questions anonymously by texting the number 22333 or speak up by voicing their opinions. The texting questions allowed for students to see the anonymous answers via poll on the screen. 

Tieder jokingly said “I want people to orally speak with the whole group.”  Making the audience laugh because oral is a form of sex. During the event, the questions asked made some people laugh, blush, and be shocked. The first question, “Does what you eat or drink affect the smell of your vagina or penises?”, got the crowd first laughing and blushing due to the awkwardness of the question. 

Overall, the audience agreed that eating or drinking does affect the smell. Such foods as asparagus and mangos can affect the smell, according to Addington.  “Vegans might come popular later on,” Tieder jokingly said, to make the crowd laugh about hygiene and get the crowd awake and energized.

After lots of joking and laughing the conversation went up to whole new level as the topic of sexual assault was addressed.    “Do you know someone who has been sexually assaulted, was a question that made the crowd quieter as they contemplated the thought. Over 85% said yes to knowing someone who had been sexual assaulted.

Addington and Tieder addressed to the audience that every two minutes someone is sexually assaulted and in college 1 in 5 women will be sexual assaulted. The audience agreed that everyone has the opportunity to change the statistics.

Furthermore, "how can people stop the amounts of rapes from happening “was the next question that many people really considered. A person in the background voiced silently, “Don’t rape people.” Overall, the group discussed that people need to take responsibility and not only watch out for themselves but their friends as well.

On a lighter note, the conversations took on a happier tone when students were asked questions about orgasms and sizes of penises.  Many people in the audience especially women agreed that most women don’t’ experience orgasms during sex. It was made clear by the audience that many people fake it. Addington added that “he can fake it too,” to emphasize that girls are not the only fakers when it comes to sex.

For many students talking about sexual parts was at first awkward to do in public but talking eventually allowed people to be comfortable to voice their opinions. The question, “What is the average size of a penis?” made many people laugh. Some joked around and said 12 inches, others just blushed and mumbled their response.   

Overall, the audience learned that 5 1/2 to 6. 2 inches in length was the average size. The topic intrigued the students and got them ready for another exciting question of, Does race or ethnicities have an effect on size?  A girl from the audience said to her friends jokingly, “Yes all day”, when she heard the question.

Everyone agreed that race or ethnicity does affect the size of a penis. Tieder said genetics plays apart,       “Thank your family tree”, she jokingly said while making people laugh especially the Greek organizations.

Conversations then got serious when STDs were mentioned.  People became quiet. The presenters brought up the topic of whether a not a person should tell a sexual partner if he or she has a STD. People in the audience agreed that telling a partner before he or she engages in any sexual activity is a good option and it is not right to go “cheers, oh and by the way I have an STD.”

Furthermore, the event concluded on a great note by people in the audience agreeing to talk about sex to their partner. “Addington said, “Sexual empowerment is talking about sex with your partner. As people we need to break down the stereotypes.” Tieder added by saying” it is our responsibility to take action. What you do is your legacy, what you do not do is as well.”

Overall, the event left students empowered and with lots of knowledge. Tony Williams, a junior and Information Technology major said, “The event left me wanting to speak up about sex and take action.

For more information about sexversations, text 22333, or email Kelly Addington at Kelly@onestudent.org or Becca Tieder at becca@onestudent.org. Follow them on Facebook at Facebook.com/sexverations and on twitter at sexversations.