Arkansas had the fourth highest teen birth rate in the United States in 2012. Essentially, that’s more than 4,300 girls ages 15 through 19 who gave birth — approximately 12 per day, according to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.
Also, Arkansas law does not require sexuality education. Local school boards decide whether or not to teach sex ed, which topics instructors must cover and the grade level in which topics are introduced.
If sexuality education is taught, then abstinence must be covered and stressed as the only completely effective protection against unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS. Teaching about contraceptives, such as condoms, or birth control pills, are allowed, but aren’t required.
Enter Smart and Sexy Sex Education Week at the University of Arkansas, hosted by Students for Gender Equality, who want to give UA students the skinny on all things regarding safe sex.
“Sex education can lead to better outcomes,” said Andrea Love, co-president of Students for Gender Equality. “We’re college students. We know we’re thrust into an environment that is sexual, and they’re not equipped with the information they need to stay safe. We wanted to intervene in that cycle.”
So in an effort to provide that information in a fun and informative way, the student group started Smart and Sexy Sex Education Week. Beyond teaching the adult version of sex ed, there will be a series of events that will reflect on the subject matter as a whole, as various speakers and documentaries will be presented to talk about issues such as sexual abuse, reproductive justice and even topics such as feminist porn.
Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s public events:
Tuesday, Sept. 23
- Kink 101 with Sasha Canan, 6 p.m. in the Arkansas Student Union room 511: An introductory lecture on sexual variation, kink, and BDSM. Common terminology, props/items, and community norms will be discussed.
- InTact Presentation With Johnny Campbell and Kristofer Claywell, 7 p.m. in room 511: The aim of this presentation is to discuss the history of genital mutilation, and its current cultural, legal, and medical state. We will explore the inequalities surrounding genital mutilation and the need for legal protections for ALL.
Wednesday, Sept. 24
- “Seeing Red: Reproductive Justice in the Natural State the Criminalization of Women’s Healthcare” with Dr. Lisa Corrigan, 6 p.m. in the Arkansas Student Union room 511: Her talk focuses on the state of reproductive justice in Arkansas, the future for reproductive rights in Arkansas, and the criminalization of women through regressive public health policy.
Thursday, Sept. 25
- Beyond the Limits of Sex Education with Tobi Hill-Meyer, 6 p.m. in UARK 513-514: Come prepared with your questions. The presentation will brush up on the basics but also learn about the things they aren’t allowed to tell you in high school: How to safely use a variety of toys, the basics of BDSM, navigating non-monogamous relationships, sexuality with your trans body, and more.
Friday, Sept. 26
- The Climax, 6:30 p.m. at Club Push – 21 N Block Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Close out the week with the off-campus variety show. Featuring Smart & Sexy Keynote Speaker Tobi Hill-Meyer, as well as several local students and community members. There will be burlesque dancing, erotic poetry, musical performance, and more. There will also be a drawing for a sexy prize package and other goodies. Stay for the drag show after! Ages 18+, must have I.D.
