Workshop tells about safe sex

Fantasies, feelings and latex gloves were some of the topics discussed by about 10 women at a workshop entitled "Eroticizing Safe Sex" in Houston Hall last night. The workshop encouraged women to practice safe sex by examining ways to make using precautions less intimidating and more pleasurable. Sexuality educator Susan Vassbinder led the discussion, which examined such issues as practicing safe sex correctly, opening communication with a partner, and increasing sexual pleasure. Vassbinder said that people often feel that safe sex procedures detract from sex. "I feel like a lab technician sometimes," complained one participant about the use of precautions such as condoms and rubber gloves. But Vassbinder encouraged the women to change the attitude they take towards protection. "If you can be playful with it, it will put it in the erotic category," she said. The workshop stressed that women need to learn to look at safety as a positive way to increase creativity and communication with their partners. "We definitely tend to look at safe sex as clinical and . . . cold and impersonal," said Debra, a University student in attendance who asked that her last name not be used. "This [workshop] looked at it in a very sensual and empowering way." One exercise designed to show how precautions can enhance sexual pleasure required participants to write down anything they consider erotic on a large sheet of paper. They also discussed ways in which these fantasies and preferences could be used to make sex both safe and exciting. Vassbinder suggested that the women use creativity and a playful attitude when using protective devices such as condoms, gloves, and dental dams. The workshop was scheduled in recognition of HIV/AIDS Awareness Week and included practical information on AIDS prevention. Vassbinder emphasized that AIDS education is only valuable if people use the safe sex practices they learn. "Information in and of itself is important, but not sufficient to create behavior change," she said. A workshop entitled "Eroticizing Safe Sex for men" was scheduled to be held on Thursday, but was cancelled due to low attendance. Facilitator Albert Angelo, a student in the Graduate School of Education, said that he was not surprised at the low turnout. "If I could come up with a method that is safe and pregnancy proof and you would never have to put on a condom, I'm sure you'd have a lot of people here, but you can't do that," he said. "Creativity's the key." Staff writer David Kerstein contributed to this article