If a condom is on inside out, take it off and throw it away. That's the only way to be sure of practicing safe sex. This message, along with many other safe sex tips, is what facilitators at a FLASH workshop last week wanted to get across. The Facilitating Learning About Sexual Health workshop, open to all University students, faced head on those issues that tend to make students most squeamish and uncomfortable. With basic rules of confidentiality in place, participants took part in an icebreaker which involved ranking different activities in order of the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease. The eight participants then sat down to discuss ways of guarding against STD's. According to Keisha Dennard, a workshop facilitator, the condom is one of the most effective methods of protection. However, she said that although most people think condoms are easy to use, they really do not know how to use them properly. Using a wooden model of a penis, Dennard then demonstrated how to put on a condom, reminding participants to check the expiration dates. "Most people keep these in their wallets . . . they've had them there since they were 13 years old," the College senior noted. Participants then chose different situations to act out in front of the group. The situations dealt with issues such as talking about contraception to a mate who is not receptive and making sure that both partners in a monogamous relationship are safe from disease. Sexual health exams and STD and AIDS testing were also discussed. Anna Suh, another facilitator, passed out different types of contraception and asked each participant to present its uses to the rest of the participants. The College senior then wrapped up the workshop by offering to answer any questions. Wharton senior Daniel Lee commented after the workshop that it was important when Dennard "talked about the right and wrong ways to use a condom." College sophomore Emiel Gewirtz added that he "really learned a few things . . . it turns out that there's more to using condoms than you think." FLASH facilitator Lisa Pfeifer said she was very happy with the workshop. She said her initial goal for every workshop is "to send people out knowing at least one thing they didn't know before. "Even if they cannot use the information themselves, they can always share it with a friend," Pfeifer said. Suh believes that the workshop and others like it are important because "Penn students tend to think that since they are well educated and well off they don't have to worry about STDs. They must realize that they are not immune." "Sexual health needs to be discussed," Pfeifer added. "It's not something bad or dirty, it's vital to overall health." The College senior also noted that FLASH "is not promoting sexual activity, we're promoting sexual health and responsibility." Abstinence, she added, is a viable option. Pfeifer and Suh agreed that people should have the information FLASH provides so they can make educated decisions concerning their own sexual health. In addition to workshops, there is small group and individual counseling available at Student Health. "A choice [regarding sexual health] made based on ignorance is no choice, it is a last resort," Suh said. FLASH is geared toward helping people make those decisions, with the goal of helping people lead sexually healthy lives.
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