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Printer-Friendly ModeCardinals flock to Peer Health Educators’ ‘Sex Signals’
March 1, 2010 —
Pop trio Salt-n-Pepa might have had its heyday, but one group on campus recently took its hit single’s advice:
“Let’s talk about sex.”
Sex Signals, a program sponsored by the Peer Health Educators, had students flocking to the Rhea Miller Recital Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Billed as “the real-life soft-of-improv show about sex and stuff,” the show was geared toward a college audience and used comedic performances to cover sensitive topics such as sexual assault and gender stereotypes.
A major focus of the night was tackling stereotypes.
Eric Sumangil explained that men are expected to “love cars, meat and beer, and be covered in biceps.” Courtney Abbott added that women are expected to “be virgins every single time,” and that men seem to be looking for “limber porn stars that watch ESPN.”
Also covered by the Sex Signal actors was the topic of rape. Performers explained that more often times than not, the victim knows the rapist.
“Only 20 percent of rape cases are committed by strangers,” Sumangil said.
To keep the audience comfortable, however, the duo informed attendees of a stop card beneath their seats. The card could be held up whenever students felt uncomfortable.
“It was funny and a lot of fun,” said secondary education freshman Joey Koehn. “Everything that they presented happens, but we usually don’t notice it because it’s an everyday thing for most people.”
Senior Zack Lietaert had similar reactions. “I think that Sex Signals was a lot of fun for students to come out to for a laugh,” Lietaert said. “It also helped to open eyes about some more serious issues.”