Back for another year of education and fun, Sex Week is full of erotic poetry and events that University of Saskatchewan students can enjoy. The week provides opportunities for students to learn more about diverse sexualities and different perspectives on sexual practices.
This annual event is organized by the U of S Students’ Union Pride Centre and aligns with their mission to be a community that welcomes and celebrates a diverse group of sexual orientations and gender identities for students at the U of S.
Taking place from Feb. 6 to 10, this event has been full of educational information from groups such as the Pride and Women’s Centre, the Sexual Health Centre Saskatoon and Diva’s Nightclub.
Kenny Starling, Pride Centre co-ordinator, comments that this event is important for students to take part in because it is essential for those who are sexually active to know about risks and to be well educated on resources available to them.
“Saskatoon is known to have syphilis outbreaks, so students who are sexually active should be aware of STI risks, how to prevent them and where to go to get tested. Sex is everywhere, and everyone should be mindful and educated on the topic,” Starling said, in and email to the Sheaf.
Sex Week has already featured a night of erotic poetry and a sex toy party, and Sexhibition, the Sex Week Drag Show, is still to come. This 19+ show will take place at Louis’ Pub on Feb. 10, costing $10 for advance tickets and $12 at the door. More information is available on the Pride Centre Facebook page.
Starling says that students should take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about sex and that the event is a great way to get involved and have fun.
“I highly encourage students to come out to any of the events that interest them, to listen and participate [in] the information being distributed,” Starling said. “Erotic Poetry [featured] poets, followed by an open mic. On [Feb. 8], there [was] a Sex Toy Party. This [was] a free workshop designed to teach about sex toys and healthy sexual practices. On [Feb. 10], Louis’ will be hosting the Sexhibition Drag Show. There will also be an expo in the back full of local organizations that are concerned with sexual health and sex positivity.”
Natalya Mason, a representative from the Sexual Health Centre Saskatoon and one of the hosts for the Sex Toy Party that took place on Feb. 8, believes that her event was educational for all students, and she was excited to share her knowledge on sex toys.
“I feel pretty confident saying that everyone [learned] something new at the sex toy party. Students [had] the opportunity to see what toys are available, [learned] how to use them and [learned] why they feel so good,” Mason said, in an email to the Sheaf.
Mason notes that it can be overwhelming for people to walk into a sex toy store, and with her event she hoped to provide knowledge to students to help them feel more comfortable and try new things.
“Walking into a sex toy store can be daunting, so coming to a sex toy party in a familiar setting is one way to test the waters. Over the past year we have been trying to put more of a focus on our client’s pleasure,” Mason said. “Normalizing conversations about pleasure is one way to make that shift, and checking out cool toys while doing so is one way to make it more fun.”
This is not the first sex toy event Mason has participated in, and she feels that this event was stronger than ever and that sex is a great topic to keeping learning more about.
“I’m incredibly proud to see it’s still going strong. That’s the great thing about sex; it’s always exciting and there’s always something new to learn.”
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Natasha Hausermann
Graphic: Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor