Sexual Health Week culminates with Sexual Health Fest

This year’s Sexual Health Fest, themed “Let’s Get Physical,” features a climbing wall and free, anonymous HIV testing on Library Mall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, April 23. The event, sponsored by Sex Out Loud, wraps up Sexual Health Week.

The climbing wall, sponsored by Adventure Learning Programs (ALPs) and University Health Services (UHS), is open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Proceeds from donations will go to the Dean of Students Crisis Fund, which is often used to assist sexual assault survivors. HIV testing is provided by the UHS Blue Bus Clinic and will be available in the Red Gym from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

“Sex Out Loud tries to focus on the positive and healthy aspects of sex,” SOL member Lindsay Beck said. “We really try to steer away from the negative approach so often associated with sex education. We work to change community norms and behaviors by promoting safer sex and healthy relationships.”

To raise awareness about safer sex practices and healthy sexuality and to provide information about testing facilities, Sex Out Loud has joined up with UHS, the Multicultural Student Coalition and the LGBT Campus Center in planning a number of activities during the week of April 19-23.

Highlights include:

–Monday, April 19: A special program, presented by Sex Out Loud: “The History of Video and Internet Pornography,” 7:30 p.m., Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St.

–Tuesday, April 20: A special art display on the UW–Madison campus sponsored by Sex Out Loud, featuring free safer sex supplies and condom demos titled “We’re All in Bed Together, Join in @ Library Mall!” The event is scheduled from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Library Mall.

–Wednesday, April 21: Commemorate “LGBT Day of Silence” by taking a vow of silence during a silent lunch, noon, Library Mall; It will be followed by a rally on the Capitol Square at 5:30 p.m.

–Thursday, April 22: The Multicultural Student Coalition and Sex Out Loud present a Spoken Word Event. Time/Location: TBA

–Friday, April 23: Sexual Health Fest is scheduled for the Library Mall from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be free, anonymous HIV testing from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Red Gym. In addition, UHS and ALPs sponsor “Get Up, Climb Up!” on Library Mall from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

–Saturday, May 1: “Take Back the Night” rally on Library Mall at 6 p.m.
Madison’s chapter of Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment (PAVE) will sponsor displays of the Silent Witness project at campus locations, including Bascom Hill, Henry Mall, and the College of Engineering mall throughout the month.

The “silent witnesses” are wooden silhouettes decorated with statistics about sexual assault. PAVE students will be on hand to provide additional information. They will also post sexual assault information fliers on campus each Monday during April and provide teal-colored ribbons to promote sexual assault awareness.

A complete list of events can be found at Sex Out Loud’s Web site: http://www.sit.wisc.edu/~sexoutloud. All events are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Lindsay Beck at (608) 628-1749 or lmbeck@wisc.edu.