Program uses humor to promote sexual awareness

Heidi Grieser and Heidi Grieser

Through a comical sexual awareness program, students can learn new pick-up lines, what to do when those fail and tips for positive and healthy relationships on campus.

Sex Signals, a two-person interactive play, is aimed to both teach and entertain. The play is scheduled for tonight in room 202A of the Bowen Thompson Student Union from 9 to 10:30 p.m.

The Wellness Connection and First Year Programs have invited Sex Signals as part of the Fall Welcome Activities series, and the event is open to all students.

Janet Foldenauer, Assistant Dean of Students, has watched the success of the group over the years.

“They have always been well-received and attended,” she said.

The Wellness Connection sent peer educators to a conference a few years ago, where Sex Signals performed. The educators came back raving and have been bringing Sex Signals to campus ever since.

The Wellness Connection is paying for the extra training through the NCAA grant for their award-winning sexual assault prevention programming.

While here, Sex Signals will also be holding a training session for 16 peer educators of Bacchus Gamma. They will learn how to perform plays like Sex Signals on campus.

Foldenauer attributed the event’s success to the performers’ ability to engage the audience with humor.

Barb Hoffman, coordinator of the University’s health promotions, agreed, saying, “Sex is a tough subject to present on, and it works when you can use humor to engage

the audience.”

Ashley Fair, president of Bacchus Gamma, a peer-educating campus organization that addresses wellness issues for students, also says Sex Signals presents information in a unique way.

“Sex Signals is a hilarious look at human nature and the interpretations men and women have about each other when it comes to dating, relationships, and sex. They poke fun at the battle of the sexes and throw in an eye-opening twist at the end,” Fair said.

Bacchus Gamma also organizes events like Late Night at the Rec and the BiG Playground. They will be at Campus Fest giving away party favors with a twist, like sparkly Mardi Gras necklace with a Trojan sticker, Hoffman said.