Increasing the sexual pleasure, self-esteem and healthy relationships of women are just a few of the goals student health advocates have set for this month.
Olin Health Center's Community Action Team and Sexual Health Team kick off their celebration of Women's Healthy Sexuality Month today, the first in what they hope becomes an annual tradition.
"The program aims to celebrate women's sexuality in all aspects, not just the negative parts," said Olin health educator Dennis Martell.
The first week of the program is themed "Make your body a temple and love it!" All female residence hall students will receive "If Vaginas Could Talk" pamphlets in their mailboxes, stressing the importance of annual gynecologist visits.
Health advocates also will host a health question-and-answer session and distribute information about emergency contraception.
The programs are run by MSU students, including kinesiology and pre-med junior Lindsay Allegra who began planning for the events last March.
"It's important that women realize our sexuality is not something to hide," the Olin health advocate said. "It should be something that is talked about."
The second week of the program centers on building healthy relationships. Coasters with date rape information will hold the drinks in East Lansing bars as a reminder to the importance of consensual sex.
The coasters, which read, "Got consent?" are designed to remind bar patrons of the right to refuse unwanted advances.
Music and health information can be found from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Jan. 24 at an event called "Women, Sex and Music" in the Union Ballroom.
Pleasure and sexuality will be the focus of the third week of the program, a topic that should open up a lot of minds, said Olin health advocate Jasmine Greenamyer.
"Sexuality is many things besides sex," she said. "Be proud of who you are and what you have to offer the world in general."
Despite the name of the month, both genders can benefit from the program, said Marshall Poole, a philosophy and pre-medicine senior.
"It gives everyone permission to talk about the issues of birth control, diseases and relationships," he said. "It's about being comfortable with your body and not worrying about fitting a certain role."
