Sex talk enlightens students

Yes, you can get pregnant even if you have sex under water.

Sex educators from Counseling and Wellness Services answered that question and many others Wednesday night at its annual Sex After Dark talk.

About 75 gathered for the event, which included sex-themed Bingo, small-group discussions and demonstrations that showed how to use a condom.

The group, Carolina Health Education Counselors for Sexuality, gives sex education talks to individuals and groups throughout the year and gave away about 500 condoms Wednesday.

Their talk focused on encouraging frank discussions, clearing up misconceptions and encouraging safe, consensual sex.

The Bingo competition broke the ice with questions about sexually transmitted infections, the morning-after pill, condoms and the HPV vaccine.

Groups competed to fill cards that were labeled along the lines of “Balls,” “Penis” and “G-spot.” When they had Bingo, each team had to call out its name.

“I learned that I knew a lot already, but I also learned a lot of new things, too,” sophomore Julia Da Silva said. Da Silva came with a group friends that ended up winning the Bingo competition as Team Balls.

When responding to student comments or questions, sex educator Meredith Kamradt was careful to stress that everyone’s experience is different and that consent from both partners is what matters most in terms of what’s “right.”

When the groups were asked to come up with the sexiest ways to ask for consent, Kamradt gave pointers for why “while naked” might not be the easiest time to have the conversation. And for another response — going up to someone and saying “Nice shoes, are you trying to f—k?” — Kamradt worked in advice as well.

“While that might not be the most P.C. way, at least you’re asking, and complimenting ?their shoes.”

The counselors also helped students brainstorm ways they could pleasure a partner without exchanging bodily fluids.

Students came up with a fairly long list that included sexting, spanking, fingering, using toys, watching porn, masturbating together and using Skype.

And for those whose questions weren’t answered during Bingo or small group discussions, the event included time for anonymous questions written on Post-it notes.

They varied from “How do you make a chick wet?” to “Is it true the vagina expands when it is excited?”

Counselors are used to hearing all kinds of questions, Kamradt said. It’s not always clear at first what people are talking about if they use slang terms, “But we’re really comfortable asking, ‘What does that mean to you?’” she said.

“It’s important to make sure we’re talking about the same thing.”

Contact the University Editor ?at udesk@unc.edu.