Naomi Raphael
Staff Reporter
So far in my writing for this column, I’ve touched on many sexual issues. However, safe sex is not something that’s come up. This is an issue that I think is extremely important and obviously relevant to anyone who is sexually active.
On campus, there are few ways to get free condoms. You have to go to the health center, and awkwardly take a handful of condoms from that Halloween bowl, and with that method you have to go back often. You can also do something similar at counseling services. Additionally, you could go off campus to various family planning or women’s clinics and get some there, but there’s got to be an easier way.
Last week the Women’s Issues Group hosted a table that distributed candy, condoms, single-serving packets of lube, dental dams, and female condoms for national condom week.
“Our main goal was to promote safe sex awareness on the McDaniel Campus,” says junior Bryan Yarrington, president of W.I.G., “having sex is OK, just be safe.”
Students seemed to respond extremely well, no one seemed to be embarrassed about coming up to the table to take come condoms and a tootsie roll.
“We got rid of 1,000 condoms in a week,” said Yarrington, “but we also found that people were taking informational packets as well.”
The Women’s Issues group received condoms through Planned Parenthood, an organization that generally holds negative connotations for college students. Parenthood is generally thought to be the worst possible outcome of sex, so Planned Parenthood seems to be a place to avoid. However, this is far from what the organization does. Planned Parenthood recognizes the choice that people have when it comes to sex, and they respect everyone’s right to privacy. Spreading ideas of safe sex on college campuses is one of their many outreach programs.
“They got back to me immediately after I called and expressed interest in doing a safe sex campaign,” Yarrington explained “She told me about National Condom Week and asked me if I wanted a box of 1,000 condoms. It’s hard to turn that down.”
So when it comes down to it, somewhere, someone is trying to give away free condoms, waiting to be taken advantage of.
Keep an eye out for more Women’s Issues Group events, such as the rescheduled Vagina Monologues on April 2, 3, and 8.
More information about Planned Parenthood, contraception, and much more can be found at www.plannedparenthood.org .
