Yesterday marked the beginning of the University’s annual Sex Week, organized by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Alliance to promote safer sex and sex-positivity, while exploring sexual identities and stereotypes.
“It calls attention to a subject that’s often taboo in our society. It allows queer sexuality to be seen in a more positive light, which it typically isn’t in,”  LGBTQA Co-Director Alex Esparza said. “It’s also an opportunity to bring our allies closer to our community.”
The LGBTQA expects more participation in this year’s Sex Week than in previous years, partly due to the recent vandalism of the LGBTQA office. Last week, LGBTQA members returned to their office in the EMU to find a large swastika spray-painted on the carpet. The incident sparked a string of events in which students and community members gathered to declare their solidarity.
“It’s usually pretty popular, but I think right now more people might show up because of all the publicity we’ve gotten,” University sophomore Vashti Selix said. “I think Sex Week is good obviously because it’s about sex positivity, but it’s also from a more queer perspective, so it’s a chance to educate people about our community, too.”
The week-long event kicked off last night with the HIV Alliance Transmission Workshop, which educated attendees about HIV and prevention methods.
“It’s like a 101-type discussion about AIDS transmission,” Esparza said, adding that they’ll talk about what groups are at risk and how to promote AIDS awareness.
Tonight at 6 p.m., the LGBTQA is also hosting “Sexy Arts and Crafts Night” in its EMU office in Suite 34.
Participants can decorate their own sex dice, Kama Sutra coloring pages and sexy valentines.
“We expect Tuesday to be our busiest night because it’s normally when we have meetings, so craft night should be really fun,” Selix said.
The program “Sex Toys 101” is scheduled for tomorrow night from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A
representative from the sex shop Castle will give a presentation on sex toys.
On Thursday and Friday, L.A.-based comedian and performer Adelina Anthony will pay a visit to the University to participate in Sex Week.
“The biggest difference between previous Sex Weeks and this one is definitely
having Adelina Anthony here,” Selix said.
Anthony describes herself as a “Xicana-Indígena lesbian multidisciplinary artista.” Her shows typically focus on themes such as gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality and feminism.
Anthony will present her show, “La Chismosa,” in the EMU Fir Room on Thursday night. The program starts at 7:30 p.m. and doors open at 7.
On Friday evening, Anthony will also host a writing workshop in the Ben Linder Room at 5 p.m., giving tips on how to creatively write about issues of gender and sexuality.
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