Last modified: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
"Sexploration at IU" to begin Monday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- "Sexploration at IU," a weeklong series of events that offer Indiana University students information about sexuality related issues in a fun, interactive and positive way, begins on the IU Bloomington campus on Monday (Oct. 20). The event is sponsored by the IU Health Center's Health & Wellness Department.
Events include a talk by nationally recognized sexuality expert Marty Klein, who will discuss "America's War on Sex," free HIV tests and a rowdy cabaret performance by the "Crimson Cabaret & Burlesque Revue."
"'Sexploration at IU' is an opportunity for us to explore the multidimensionality of sexuality," said Cathlene Hardy Hansen, director of Health and Wellness Education at the IU Health Center. "We are using a creative, sex positive approach to educate, entertain and explore the role of sex in our lives. The topics range from politics, religion, science and art, to the history of dating. This is sex education at its best."
Each day's events will fall under a different theme: Monday is Safer Sex Day, Tuesday's events will examine sex and politics, Wednesday's events deal with healthy sexuality and relationships, Thursday's events examine sex and the myths and misconceptions that surround it and Friday's events will involve sex and art.
Some highlights of the week include:
- Sexuality expert and graduate of IU's Sociology Department, Marty Klein, will be speaking on Tuesday (Oct. 21) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union (IMU), 900 E. Seventh St. Klein has been a licensed marriage and family counselor and sex therapist for more than 25 years. His presentation, "America's War on Sex," will consider public policy and sexuality.
- "Kinsey Confidential," the sexual information service for the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction, will host a live Q&A in the Whittenberger Auditorium in the Indiana Memorial Union on Monday (Oct. 20). Debby Herbenick, host of the "Kinsey Confidential Podcast" and sexual health expert, will co-host the event with Brian Dodge, associate director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER). Dodge and Herbenick will answer questions submitted by the audience.
- On Wednesday (Oct. 22), free HIV testing will be available for students from 10:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the Indiana Memorial Union Tree Suites. This event will take place in conjunction with the IU Health Center's annual health fair that will be held in Alumni Hall in the IMU.
- "Sexploration at IU" will conclude with a cabaret show by the "Crimson Cabaret & Burlesque Revue" on Friday (Oct. 24) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Wilkie Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
"Sexuality is a big part of everyone's lives and college is a great time to reach young people," said Katie Wilkinson, a health educator at IU Health and Wellness.
"It is true that a lot of sexual health education is disease-based and, unfortunately, fear-based. What 'Sexploration at IU' can do is make essential information accessible, interactive, less scary and more fun. You reach your audience in a different way. You show them that sexuality, in all its various manifestations, should be respected and celebrated, not feared."
Other event highlights include:
- Tours of the Kinsey Institute (self-guided, extended gallery hours)
- Safer Sex Field Day
- Sex and Religion Panel
- Outdated: Dating Etiquette films from the 1950s and 60s
- Pure Romance Presents: The Naked Truth: Myths and Misconceptions About Sex and Relationships
- Kinsey Institute Erotic Art Gallery opening and reception, "Pre-Revolutionary Queer: Gay Art and Culture Before Stonewall"
"I hope that students are able to come away from this event with a renewed interest in promoting a sex positive world with a healthy sexual self-concept, and a high regard for others," said Hansen.
Sponsor's for "Sexploration at IU" include: Pure Romance, Inc., The Kinsey Institute, Kinsey Confidential, Center for Sexual Health Promotion, Planned Parenthood of Indiana, Bloomington Hospital's Positive Link, SACS, Indiana University's Sociology Department, the GLBT Support Services, Eden Productions, the Applied Health Science Department and the Residence Halls Association (RHA).
For a detailed schedule of "Sexploration at IU" events, please visit https://pureromance.com/sexploration/index.aspx.
For more information, please contact Cathlene Hardy Hansen at 812-855-7338 or chhansen@indiana.edu.
