By Liv Barry
Outgoing editor-in-chief
In the third and final installment of their sexual wellness series, the Student Events Board, Cleopatra’s Sisters, and PeerSmart brought pleasure to their peers by covering a taboo topic: sex toys.
Students gathered in The Egg on Wednesday, April 10 to listen to Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the Public Health Minor Dr. Elizabeth Yost and Professor of Spanish and Black Studies and Director of the Black Studies program Dr. Elena Deanda present on the history and use of sex toys.
According to previous Elm coverage, the series’ purpose is to educate Washington College students on various sexual wellness topics, including consent, sexually transmitted infections, and sex toys. The organizations involved wanted to even the playing field for students, who come to college with varying levels of knowledge surrounding sex. According to the Guttmacher Institute, sex education is not federally mandated in American schools, leading to some college students who are unfamiliar with sexual wellness basics.
“I grew up in Alabama, and in Alabama, we don’t talk about sex because nobody has sex until they’re married, and then they only have sex to procreate,” Dr. Yost said. “Something that I always kind of thought was missing was…we all knew everybody was having sex and talking about…having pleasure, but nobody wanted to, like, talk about it or give any hints about it.”
She also noted that in her home state, sex education is not mandated and sex toys cannot legally be sold under their true moniker. According to the speaker, anyone in Alabama looking to purchase a sex toy must instead seek out an “educational model.”
In her presentation, Dr. Yost focused on the public reception of sex toys, from their conception 20,000 years ago to how they are currently used. Additionally, the professor gave a brief lesson on hygiene, teaching students how to clean their toys and what lubricants can be used depending on the object’s material.
“My mother is so proud I give this lecture,” Yost said with a laugh after describing what toys can be put in the dishwasher — they must be glass to withstand the heat — and how they should be dried.
Following Dr. Yost’s presentation, Dr. Deanda spoke about shared and individual pleasure.
Dr. Deanda began her section of the event by detailing how Western society has viewed sex, beginning with how shame has been instilled by Christian values and moving into the contemporary sex positivity movement.
“Most of the time, our relationship with sexuality has been quite negative in the sense that society has taught us how to feel in our bodies and how to feel with our sexuality,” Dr. Deanda said.
She went on to explain that American culture is still largely sex negative despite the popularization and acceptance of pornography in popular culture. To combat negative rhetoric around female and queer sexuality, the professor presented an alternative concept: intimate justice.
“The shame, the fear, the disgust…all these notions that came from the sex negativity,” Dr. Deanda said. “One of the things that I really like right now is this notion of intimate justice, which means that we both have to achieve pleasure.”
According to Dr. Deanda, intimate justice boils down to one key concept: equal fulfillment for all parties involved in sex, regardless of how the participants derive pleasure. In her presentation, the professor explained that justice can be achieved through honest communication between parties, as well as self exploration prior to sex.
“It’s not three pumps and dump,” Dr. Deanda said. “You have to work it.”
Afterward, attendees had the opportunity to compete in three Kahoots for the chance to win an enticing prize: one of ten sex toys for the top three contestants of each game, each purchased from a woman-owned, queer-owned, or Black, Indigenous, or people of color-owned brand, according to SEB Director of Series Caroline Drupka. Questions on the Kahoot included topics touched on in Dr. Yost and Dr. Deanda’s presentations, including information about sexual hygiene, STIs, and contraceptives.
Drupka explained that because of the taboo nature of the prizes, it was initially difficult for the event to come to fruition.
“I have wanted to throw this type of event since the beginning of last semester with this position, but I also wanted to make sure it was educational and that we promote safe and consensual use with the toys,” Drupka said. “So, I made sure all prizes were ordered from women, queer, and BIPOC-owned businesses in order to promote their companies and also know I am giving away intimate items that are tested and safe to use.”
Despite the roadblocks, the event was a success, with over 30 students showing up to listen to the presentations and participate in the Kahoot games.
Freshman Isabel McCreary proved to be a sharp competitor in the quizzes, placing in the top three in two out of the three games.
“Safe spaces to discuss topics like sexual wellness are very few and far between, and I deeply believe that encouraging discussions about sex education can help harbor a safer environment for college students to explore sex and sexuality,” McCreary said. “I’m also incredibly competitive and will never pass up an opportunity to play — and win — Kahoot with my friends.”
Although this is the final event in the series, its popularity with students is, according to Dr. Yost, a very powerful educational tool.
“There are tons of paths for sexual exploration, and I hope having information makes individuals feel they can explore ones that might be right for them,” Dr. Yost said. “It’s cheesy, but the saying ‘knowledge is power’ is pretty key here. Also, through these presentations, I hope we can create conversations where people can learn how to ask questions and where to gather factual information.”