GUESTCOLUMN: Take HIV/AIDS awareness seriously

Logan Levcoff, Guest Columnist Logan Levcoff, Guest Columnist I am a sexually conscious female. I am concerned about sexually transmitted diseases. Does that scare some people? Apparently it does, because the turn-out at the recent HIV/AIDS Awareness Health Fair at Bodek Lounge was abominable. For the individuals who took condoms or asked questions to the educators, I applaud you. But there are some students on this campus that looked at us with disgust. I ask why? We know that people at Penn are sexually active, and we know that Penn is not immune to STDs. So why look at me any differently than you would those Undergraduate Assembly candidates passing out flyers in front of Steinberg-Dietrich Hall? I understand that sexuality will always be an issue that sparks debate, but is there a need for the dirty looks and angry faces that stare us down because we are concerned? In fact, the people that snicker when we walk by are the same people that are unknowledgeable and ignorant about sexually related matters. We are all adults here at Penn. Part of attending college is accepting people for their differences and respecting those differences. We don't ask that you agree with our values and choices, but don't discourage people from attempting to understand them. These AIDS Awareness Week festivities were planned long ago. They are being sponsored by the American Medical Students Association and Facilitating Learning About Sexual Health, not to mention numerous other Philadelphia based organizations. The work that went into planning activities, panels and fairs was tremendous. It pains me (and other Student Health representatives) to see that the apathy of a select student population potentially outweighs the interest of the whole Penn population. Have any of you seen the calendar of events? Did you know that part of the AIDS quilt was at Meyerson Hall? Did you know people were giving out information on the latest sexual health products and a new oral HIV test? Do you care? We, as educators and facilitators, do not care what your preferences, tendencies or abstinence policies are. Even if you are not sexually active, we ask that you be open-minded and informed because chances are a friend will need your advice. We only want you to be as prepared as possible. Thankfully, I believe the majority of students are concerned about sexual health. So for all of you, next time you see us on the Walk, at Chats or doing demonstrations in fraternities, sororities or residential dorms, please don't pass judgment on us. We won't pass judgment on you.