Real questions, real talk: Attendants speak out at ‘Sex Talk Live’

Erica Terrini

News Editor

About 60 people attended the sex education event “Sex Talk Live” Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Commonwealth Ballrooms of the University Student Commons.

Student volunteers from Voices for Planned Parenthood (VOX), which organized the event, introduced speakers Shawn McNulty, the director of health outreach for Fan Free Clinic, and Liz Canfield, an instructor from the women’s studies department.

McNulty and Canfield were asked questions by attendees, who either spoke directly to the speakers or submitted their questions on note cards. VOX volunteers read the submitted questions.

Inquiries led to discussions of sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender, identity and sexual health topics. Some sub-categorical subjects included: contraceptives, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, (female and male) orgasms, masturbation and unfounded perceptions (based on race, gender and sexual orientation).

Several questions were based on stigmas and popular notions, which Canfield said were often grounded in social beliefs.

“The notion that (penis length) is related to race is based on racist (factors) more so than biological conditions,” Canfield said. “It is very much cultural.”

In response to attendees inquiring about the human body, McNulty said there are multiple factors that affect body reactions to sexual stimulation.

“Every body is different and every body expresses differently,” McNulty said.

Canfield said each year, speakers receive a large number of “how-to” questions and the answers for many of such inquiries are based on the relationship.

“You have to know your partner,” Canfield said.

McNulty said when in relationships, people often expect sexual acts from their partners but they should not.

“(Some things) need to be negotiated,” McNulty said.

However, McNulty and Canfield said some more complex questions should be directed to a doctor. Canfield said she and McNulty “have some clinical knowledge” but there are experts within medical fields of study capable of addressing specific health concerns.

“There’s a lot of information out there that you need to be discussing with your doctor,” McNulty said. “You should feel comfortable talking about any medical issue with your doctor.”

Canfield said VOX hosts “Sex Talk Live” once every semester. Fan Free Clinic provides contraceptives at the event for students.

For more information, visit the Voices for Planned Parenthood Facebook page: VOX @ VCU.