Every semester, SHAG (Sexual Health Advocates Group) at Wheaton hosts Sex Week, a week of events that create a different outlook and spark new types of conversations about sex. Last week marked the group’s latest effort.
“Sex Week is a way to create awareness, discussion, and enthusiasm for sexual health and topics regarding consent and sex positivity,” said S.H.A.G. Co-President Ivy Klein ’15. “We try to make every event inclusive and accessible to the entire campus and de-stigmatize taboos surrounding sex, sexuality, and sexual health.”
Sex Week started off the final performance of “Wheaton Words: (En)Compass” on Thurs., March 28. The show included poems and performances about sex, sexuality and relationships.
“The strength and courage of the community to share such personal and moving stories helped me reaffirm my decision of choosing Wheaton,” cast member Dani Dickinson ’17 said. “I’m continually inspired and the entire cast and crew should be so proud of themselves!”
The week continued with a talk by Professor of Religion Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus entitled “Oral”: Food & Sex”; a virginity discussion panel; condom distribution in the Balfour-Hood Campus Center; a “Masters of Sex” marathon; a sex toy party in Hindle on Thursday evening; and “sexy bingo” on Friday night.
“We had excellent turnouts at our events, and my personal favorite was the Virginity Panel,” said SHAG Vice President Hanna Thieme ’17. “We had five fantastic guests speak about what virginity means to them and how it has played a role in their lives.”
Having so many events in such a short period of time requires a lot of planning and organization. Klein said that the club’s executive board decide on the events.
“We choose [our events] based on campus and club-wide interest, engagement, inclusivity and availability/feasibility,” said Klein.
SHAG wraps up Sex Week on Tuesday, April 7 with a guest speaker giving a seminar on Sex with Disabilities.
“(This) is a topic that is often overlooked both on and off campus. Sex with disabilities is a topic that needs acknowledgement, dialogue, and understanding. I think that by having this seminar we can open peoples eyes to things that they may not otherwise have an opportunity to explore and discover and we can also de-stigmatize something that is often overlooked or judged.”