In his recent column, Jasper Hicks '12 took umbrage with the Sexperts workshop "How to Have a Gender Neutral Orgasm," ultimately asserting that such liberal discussions of sex on campus "pollute the otherwise important message" that organizations like the Sexperts offer ("Over-publicised Orgasm", Aug. 6). As a Sexpert, and as the organizer of this event, I disagree, and believe wholeheartedly that any discussion of sexual health must include the sometimes-controversial topic of sexual pleasure.
The second line of the Sexperts' mission statement reads: "We coordinate campus-wide education and respond to requests for peer education around issues of healthy sexuality, pleasure-based sexuality, STIs and contraception." We firmly believe that students' sexual health and well-being involve more than just attempts to prevent disease and pregnancy.
Human sexuality is a complex issue. While Sexperts do not pretend to know everything about sex, we argue that sexual activity involves both risk and reward, both of which we try to emphasize. One must always exercise caution, but must also remember that "Healthy sex is good sex, satisfying sex and fun sex." Sex, sexuality and sexual expression are all natural and healthy aspects of being human, and an atmosphere that encourages this notion leaves students feeling happier and more at ease with their sexual choices be they conservative, kinky or otherwise.
Hicks' criticisms of events targeting "sexual experimentation and sexual freedom" are thus unfounded. For many, especially those wrestling with repressed same-sex feelings or conflicting values around sex, or those with little exposure to sex and curious to explore different notions, such events can be illuminating or perhaps even essential.
Hicks' notion that "most students are not interested in learning about those topics" is made plainly erroneous by the packed houses we've seen for sessions such as our Bondage Workshop in Spring 2009. The popularity of the annual Sexfest and Consent Day, as well as the continued existence of gender studies classes that promote vibrant discussions of the role of sexuality in society show us that Dartmouth students are indeed very interested in learning about diverse issues related to sex, sexuality and gender.
Of course, we are aware that these topics are not for everyone. The Sexperts do not believe in forcing their activities on anyone. One is as free to ignore Sexperts events and delete our blitzes as one is free to attend or avoid, say, football games, orchestral concerts or fraternity dance parties.
The assertion that events like the "Gender Neutral Orgasm" workshop should be denied funding is absurd. Setting aside the fact that a workshop that supports gender variance and "orgasms" beyond genital stimulation can actually help support personal development and mature sexual exploration, we would be wrong to assume that every event at Dartmouth has a traditional educational purpose. The funding for these events is controlled by specific organizations such as COSO or the Programming Board to enhance the social and cultural life of students. Take the Spring 2009 Three 6 Mafia concert and the upcoming Fieldstock Eating Contest arguably low on educational content, but popular and socially relevant.
Dartmouth should and does encourage sex-positive efforts, because positive depictions of sex lead to healthy lifestyles, be they sexually active or abstinent. Those who view sex as "disgusting" or feel that it "pollutes campus life" may need these opportunities more than they might imagine.
