This school year the Janet C. Anderson Gender Resource Center is holding a series of lunchtime discussions on the first Wednesday of every month. These lunchtime talks begin at 12:15 in the Rendezvous Suites ABC. Discussion topics thus far have ranged from smart phones to the secrets of the human orgasm.
Funded through a grant from the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, the lunchtime talks aim to increase knowledge of various subjects relating to gender, adolescence and sexuality. Lunch is served free for the first 30 guests, and the primary information is given through a video seminar. Vegetarian options are available.
The lunchtime talks began last year with a less interactive format — podcasts. Åsa Burlin, the Assistant Director of the Anderson Center, says that the podcasts were abandoned in favor of videos in order to peak greater interest on the part of the viewers.
“We realized [the podcasts] weren’t ideal,” says Burlin. “[The viewers] just got distracted.” In addition to the introduction of videos, the move from the Bengal Café to the Rendezvous ABC suites has also increased attendance. The decision to include topics that related more to both men and women has also worked to supplement interest. “One of the things we’re really trying to do is involve men more in what we do,” says Burlin. The initial discussion obviously geared towards both genders last year — “Why Do Nice Guys Finish Last?” — saw an unusually large attendance, thus paving the way for more gender-inclusive topics. Burlin notes that the Anderson Center is still trying to make the lunchtime talks fun, despite the sometimes weighty subject matter. When planning the orgasm lecture, Burlin admits to having wondered, “Is this too risky?” but ultimately decided it was funny and informative. Upcoming discussion topics include $tart $mart (which focuses on negotiating wage and power equality in the workplace), a screening and discussion of the documentary “The Purity Myth,” the Transgender Day of Remembrance, and World AIDS Day. The desire to make the lunchtime talk subjects more applicable to men has also extended to the Anderson Center as a whole, especially with regard to programs relating to domestic and sexual assault.
Burlin comments, “Something people forget is that men can be victims of sexual assault too, but violence prevention can also start with men. We want to include everyone.” The Anderson Center works, as Burlin says, as a “resource for other resources. We can help [those who come to us] seek out appropriate services.” The Anderson Center works closely with organizations like The Family Service Alliance and the Genesis Project.
“We’re promoting healthy relationships,” says Burlin. The Janet C. Anderson Gender Resource Center is located in Gravely Hall. Åsa Burlin can be reached at 282-6061, and the Center itself can be reached at 282-2805.