The New Intimacy

On-campus sex toy talks: is it a smart idea to ask?

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Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
I attended a sex toy party last year at a friend's party, and while it was fun, I definitely stole the woman's thunder. She was promoting products that weren't really all that safe (pretty much all jelly, or anal toys without decent bases), and while I felt kind of bad for it, my tidbits about safe sex toy use kept drifting around the room from mouth to mouth. And it really annoyed me that she didn't show anything that was high-quality, perfectly sanitary, etcetera...

So I've been wondering: would it be a good idea to contact my campus' health services department about hosting sex toy talks? I'd obviously do it for free and provide my own materials. But I'm worried that the idea might cause trouble on campus or in my future career, and I certainly don't want to offend anybody at the health services department (although they have a great safe sex booth right inside and are really helpful, nice people). I also work on campus, and if they rejected the idea and passed it around on campus that I wanted to do sex toy talks...well, I'm not sure what kind of implications that would have.

Thoughts? Suggestions?
06/17/2009
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Contributor: User Unknown User Unknown
Hmm, that is a tough one. I don't think it would really do any damage to a future career, I mean you could probably call it community service. If the people at the health services department are nice and helpful, I can't imagine they'd get an attitude if you approached them with the sincere attempt to do something good within the college community. Especially considering that it wouldn't cost them anything. If they know their department, they'll know whether it will be well accepted by student body...and I would hope they would be more professional than to gossipfully spread it around campus.
06/17/2009
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
It would depend alot on the school. From what I know about universities there are two ways to go about it: you can either go through the administration (harder), or you can get an on-campus student group to "sponsor" you (easier). I'd do my homework first, get statistics on sex toy use among college and university students and information on risks. And if it's a conservative school I'd give it a miss entirely.
06/17/2009
Contributor: Miss Cinnamon Miss Cinnamon
Quote:
Originally posted by Backseat Boohoo
I attended a sex toy party last year at a friend's party, and while it was fun, I definitely stole the woman's thunder. She was promoting products that weren't really all that safe (pretty much all jelly, or anal toys without decent ... more
This past year, the owner of a local sex toy store was invited to speak at my (all girls) dorm about safe sex. For the most part, it was great. She talked about contraception, how the pill works, etc. And then she talked about toys. She didn't speak much about material safety, but she did talk about the different types of toys, how to use them, etc.

I felt her presentation was a little lacking, but it sounds like the sort of template you might want to pursue. Look into your student organizations. At my school, we have a sort of safe sex organization that hands out free condoms and provides information on safe sex. It was this organization that invited the woman over to talk about safe sex. If you have a similar organization at your school, talk to them about your idea. "I've noticed that quite a few students on campus are in possession of or are interested in obtaining sex toys. I'm concerned because there is not much information made available about the safety of certain toy materials. For example, jelly, which is a popular material for cheaper toys, can contain pthalates..." or something along those lines. See if they'll arrange for the information to be made available.

I'm curious: What field are you going into and what kind of school are you attending? From the information you've given, it sounds like you're dealing with a very conservative environment. Is this the case? At any rate, you're providing important information regarding the health of the student body. Kudos to you!
06/18/2009
Contributor: Pumpkin Lady Pumpkin Lady
I agree with ScottA. However, I can't imagine you're going to a private Christian school, (if you are, that's cool too) but if it's public I can't see why not.

My friend attended one of these parties and after looking through the catalog I realized they weren't promoting anything safe either. I was pretty upset that the hostess told the ladies that they were 100% and all they had to do was wash them. I was in your boat, I told my friend about it and she wouldn't believe me over the hostess lady.

I see where you're coming from about if the idea was rejected. But how would you ever know unless you tried? I know you're interested in teaching sex-ed, you've got to start somewhere right?
06/18/2009
Contributor: Pumpkin Lady Pumpkin Lady
Quote:
Originally posted by Pumpkin Lady
I agree with ScottA. However, I can't imagine you're going to a private Christian school, (if you are, that's cool too) but if it's public I can't see why not.

My friend attended one of these parties and after looking ... more
100% safe, that is.
06/18/2009
Contributor: Miss Cinnamon Miss Cinnamon
Quote:
Originally posted by Pumpkin Lady
I agree with ScottA. However, I can't imagine you're going to a private Christian school, (if you are, that's cool too) but if it's public I can't see why not.

My friend attended one of these parties and after looking ... more
Show your friend some articles about pthalates and the dangers of porous toys. It's dangerous for her to believe the words of someone who had no qualms about selling sub-par toys, without considering the facts.
06/18/2009
Contributor: Femme Mystique Femme Mystique
We had an on-campus sex toy workshop sponsored by our feminist organization.
06/19/2009
Contributor: Pumpkin Lady Pumpkin Lady
Quote:
Originally posted by Miss Cinnamon
Show your friend some articles about pthalates and the dangers of porous toys. It's dangerous for her to believe the words of someone who had no qualms about selling sub-par toys, without considering the facts.
Word. Thanks Miss Cinnamon
06/19/2009
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
Quote:
Originally posted by Femme Mystique
We had an on-campus sex toy workshop sponsored by our feminist organization.
Was it very safety conscious, or was it like the one Backseat went to? How did it go, and how was it received by the attendees and community? Don't hold out on us Playful Grrl, this is useful info!
06/19/2009
Contributor: Femme Mystique Femme Mystique
Quote:
Originally posted by Luscious Lily
Was it very safety conscious, or was it like the one Backseat went to? How did it go, and how was it received by the attendees and community? Don't hold out on us Playful Grrl, this is useful info!
It was incredibly safety-conscious and included some really nice products. Smart Balls, glass dildos, silicone... The girl who put on the workshop definitely knew her stuff!
06/19/2009
Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
These are all really great suggestions and points, so thanks! While I don't think most campuses are conservative (because it's a bunch of young people and all), mine is located in a conservative AREA, which changes things a bit. =/

I suppose the best I can do is ask politely and explain why I want to do this and how I would go about doing it!
06/20/2009
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
Quote:
Originally posted by Femme Mystique
It was incredibly safety-conscious and included some really nice products. Smart Balls, glass dildos, silicone... The girl who put on the workshop definitely knew her stuff!
That's great! I wish we could get something like that going on my campus.

Good luck Backseat, bring back word on how it goes!
06/21/2009
Contributor: Femme Mystique Femme Mystique
Quote:
Originally posted by Backseat Boohoo
These are all really great suggestions and points, so thanks! While I don't think most campuses are conservative (because it's a bunch of young people and all), mine is located in a conservative AREA, which changes things a bit. =/

I ... more
Mine was in Georgia, where sex toys are technically illegal.
06/22/2009
Contributor: ScottA ScottA
Try to find a student group to sponsor your talk. Then you'll be dealing primarily with the more liberal student body, and the administration has a convenient out if people in the community complain ("A student group organized it within their rights ... we really didn't have any say...")
06/22/2009