Alex Mosher
Staff Writer
ISU will host a free-to-all session of The Real Sex Ed featuring keynote speaker Jean Franzblau Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the PSUB ballroom.
The Real Sex Ed seminar is an informative session intended to help people navigate sexual choices. Attendees can expect to discuss topics such as safer sex, consent, decisions about intoxicants, communication skills and sexual diversity.
More than half of the United States doesn’t require that sex education be taught in public schools, 27 states require that abstinence must be stressed in sex education and only 18 states require that contraception be covered.
But studies show that comprehensive sex education helps young people adopt healthy sexual behaviors. The Real Sex Ed provides a venue for college students to learn about topics that might not have been covered in sex education.
The discussion will be sex-positive and affirming and includes a welcoming environment for all, Franzblau says.
She has presented at sexuality conferences nationwide as well as overseas. Franzblau stands on the front lines of a national conversation about consent and started a company in 2014 called Cuddle Sanctuary that offers consent workshops teaching adults of all ages and backgrounds how to honor their needs while respecting the boundaries of others.
Q: What is your best advice for navigating consent?
A: I recommend using the “Ask and Wait” method, especially with a new partner. That means you would ask if you want to touch the person and then wait for them to answer. Really be curious, don’t plow through the moment. Because I wouldn’t want anyone to miss the wonderful feeling of a person really considering your request and saying “Yes.” Using this method, you don’t have to question whether what you’re doing is okay – the other person is 100 percent on board. That’s a great feeling that everyone deserves to experience. If the person you ask says, “No, thanks” be cool about it. If you want to blow their mind, say “Thank you for taking care of yourself.”
Q: Why is sex ed important?
A: I believe everyone deserves to have a healthy and happy sexual life, if that’s what they want for themselves. Quality sex education has proven results such as increase in safer sex and consent practices and a decrease in sexually transmitted infections.
Q: How early should sex ed be taught?
A: In the Netherlands, age-appropriate sex education begins in kindergarten. They also have one of the lowest teen pregnancy rates in the world.
Q: Where can students learn more?
A: You can find Jean’s writings in The Consent Guidebook and the anthology Embraceable: Empowering facts and True Stories About Women’s Sexuality or visit her websites SexualEsteemWithJean.com or CuddleSanctuary.com.
