Shippensburg University’s Women and Gender Studies Department hosted their Fempowefest Sex Ed Carnival on Thursday in the Ceddia Union Building. The fair focused on sex positivity and safety, as many stations had interactive and educational activities. 

The PAGE Center had their own table that featured information about gender-based violence and support, as well as Transgender Day of Remembrance. The table also included an free condoms and a safer sex raffle quiz, where all participants who scored 70% or higher were eligible to enter a raffle to win a sex toy. 

The Frederick Douglass Institute at Shippensburg University also had a table, focusing on bringing awareness to the higher prevalence of Black Americans impacted by STDs and the factors that may lead to this disparity. 

There was also a trifold poster of positive affirmations, inviting participants to take what they need or give what they can. In addition to this, another trifold presentation offered intel to the values held by the institute, as well as quotes from significant figures such as Desmond Tutu, a South African theologian and human rights activist. 

The Frederick Douglass Institute holds five core principles: scholarship, inclusivity, social justice, civic engagement and empowerment, offering a safe space for students to speak freely and have a group of supporters. 

The “red and green flag relationship” table offed many complimentary items, like condoms, stress toys and more. The table also provided several handouts, one of which listed campus resources like the SU PAGE Center, the Counseling Center, the Office of Title IX, and SUPD. Off-campus resources and organizations were also listed, such as Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties, YWCA Carlisle, Women in Need Victim services, and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  

The students of the special education department at Ship presented a table that was fully dedicated to sex ed and disability. Information was provided about some of the barriers that students with disabilities may have to overcome to combat misinformation about sexuality in individuals with disabilities. Strategies for of overcoming these challenges were also presented for students, families, and teachers/administration to learn from and develop their knowledge. 

The Bio Honor Society had a table with Bio Jeopardy, as well as an array of male and female condoms, Lion’s Den temporary tattoos, and stress toys. SU’s Chem Club offered trivia to “learn the chemistry of you.” The sociology/anthropology department also had a station at the event that provided sex education information specific to Pennsylvania. This focused mainly on LGBTQ+ and disability education and inclusion.

In another room, attendees could participate in activities to win raffle tickets to baskets of different kinds. Participants received tickets to enter for a chance to win sex toys, accessories and lubricants, many from the Lion’s Den.

The Women and Gender Studies table offered educational opportunities for students to learn about different related courses at the university. It also outlined the some of the significant figures within the department that have positively influenced the community. The table also had a game to guess the amount of candy penises in a jar, where the student with the closest guess would win the jar. 

There was a balloon animal table where students could ask for balloons shaped into different shapes. Some of the most popular balloon variations included balloon penises and vaginas. There was one table that featured the “Sex Ed Wheel,” where students were to spin the wheel and answer three sex-related questions. If the questions were answered correctly, the student would win a raffle ticket to put towards a basket of their choice. 

The feminist fortune teller station included information about the historical view of fortune telling being “women’s work.” The table outlined gendered occupation, economic necessity, social stigma, feminist representation and the tarot and feminist theory. The kissing booth of knowledge had students answering questions about consent and its importance. If the questions were answered correctly, the student could win a prize of candy, a stress toy, or another small prize. With information provided by Planned Parenthood, the table showed that consent is freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and specific. 

According to Planned Parenthood, “Without consent, sexual activity (oral sex, genital touching, vaginal/anal penetration) is sexual assault or rape.” 

In the back of the room, the “Dildo Ring Toss” was a hit, as students formed a line to wait their turns. Generally self-explanatory, students could throw a ring and compete to hook it on the purple dildo. This table also included information on male and female genital anatomy, as well as the different erogenous zones. Similarly, there was another tossing game called “Can you Hit the Clit?”

Next was the “pleasure zone” which was the area of food, supplying students with many different options to choose from including corn dogs, pizza, walking tacos and pastries. SU’s WSYC-FM was in charge of the music and played upbeat tunes during the event.

The Fempowerment Fair by the PAGE Center was an event for all of campus to experience, learn and celebrate safe sexual activity and education in a nonjudgmental space. This allows students to embrace their sexuality and learn about the importance of consent, as well as respect for others with different backgrounds. These are conversations that sometimes may seem taboo, but this event unlocked a new level of comfortability in sexuality, inviting people in to embrace, encourage and support one another. 

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