Last week, NYU Women and Youth Supporting Each Other held an awareness event called “Let’s Talk about Sex, Ba-by!” to promote a more open and fun understanding of sexual health education. WYSE is a mentorship program that empowers young women by providing them with the support and resources to make healthy decisions about their bodies and their lives.

WYSE Event Director Nieve Mooney said topics surrounding sexual education are popular among their WYSE mentees, so the group tried to create an event that would be enjoyable and welcoming. Nearly a hundred students filled the Kimmel auditorium last Friday to watch a film explaining the virginity myth, learn some tips on communication and confidence and listen to a panel of sexperts.  

During her workshop, filmmaker Therese Shechter discussed her work combating the importance many cultures place on virginity. Shechter, whose projects include “How To Lose Your Virginity” and “The V-Card Diaries,” argued that everyone’s sexual milestones are different, just as everyone’s definition of virginity is different.

“Our lives are a series of firsts, and moments that ‘count,’” she said. “So let’s stop talking about one moment, and talk about our entire lives instead.”

Kate McCombs, a sex and relationships educator, used her workshop to teach students about becoming what she calls a “sexual communication superhero.” McCombs preaches the platinum rule: do unto others as they want you to do to them. The first step to following this rule is to be emotionally in tune with someone else’s mind, which can sometimes be uncomfortable.

“Aim for awesome, even if it’s awkward,”  McCombs said.  

Sometimes, especially with a new partner, talking about sex can be more nerve-racking than the act itself. McCombs said that just making sex a safe and shame-free topic among friends can make you more comfortable discussing what you want.

Along with difficult topics like emotional vulnerability and consent, the event also had some lighter moments, like the panel put on by Vicky Wong, a representative from local sex shop Brooklyn Babeland. Armed with dildos, lubricants and puppets for a quick anatomy lesson, Wong equipped attendees with the knowledge needed to take charge of safer and more enjoyable sex. She also encouraged attendees to take pride in their own bodies.

“Remember you are sexy, both inside and out,” Wong said.

After passing around sex toys, a panel of expert sex educators took the stage. One member of the panel, Julianne Rocco, works as a sexual health educator of youth throughout New York City. Rocco talked about the misconceptions surrounding sex ed.

“I get frustrated when parents think sex ed is me teaching their kids how to have sex,” she said. “It’s about giving them the right tools to make safe decisions.”

Zhana Vrangalova, a sex researcher and professor of human sexuality in NYU’s psychology department, said during the panel that no matter your background or experience, everyone needs sex education. Her work challenges the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding sex, like the belief that monogamy is the only way or that sexual orientation is a binary construct. She also discussed issues of consent specific to young women.

“There are a lot of discussions on sexual consent and how to say ‘no,’ but girls already struggle with sexual assertiveness, so we need to encourage the ‘yes’ as well,” Vrangalova said.

The last panel member was NYU alum and coordinator at the National Institute of Reproductive Health Delaine Powerful. She encouraged the audience to reject many cultural stereotypes that are often forced on young women, like the idea that their happiness requires having a partner or being sexually active.

The event also included a raffle, with prizes ranging from a vibrator to bottles of natural lubricant. But even if they didn’t win a prize, all the attendees left with new ideas about sexual confidence and communication — and a 15 percent off coupon to Babeland.

Email Willow Star Frederick at [email protected].