Sex on the BU Beach

No question about it—sex can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. But combine it with drinking and the results can be dangerous. This afternoon, Student Health Services will hold a free party to promote safe sex and drinking responsibly.

Called Sex on the BU Beach, the event is organized by Student Health Ambassadors, the Sargent College Peer Counseling Program, and the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students. Planned Parenthood and the AIDS Action Committee will also be represented.

When people drink alcohol, they tend to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do, says Michelle George, SHS wellness coordinator and advisor to the Student Health Ambassadors, a group of students who serve as educational liaisons between SHS and the student body. “The number of sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancies, and sexual violence that happen under the influence of alcohol, compared with having sex when you’re sober, is higher,” George says. “Young people tend to get into these kinds of situations and not think about the outcomes.” (Note: each year nearly 100,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 nationwide are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape).

George challenged the Student Health Ambassadors to come up with an event that would educate students about these issues, but would also be fun. In addition to information booths, there will be giveaways and games.

To become a student health ambassador, Hannah Putnam (SAR’12) had to go through a competitive selection process. She and fellow ambassadors are educated about a variety of health topics, and they then deliver those messages to their peers. The ambassadors also advise Student Health Services on its programming and services.

Putnam says the goal of today’s Sex on the BU Beach event is to reach out to as many students as possible.

“When planning the program, Student Health Ambassadors thought about what information would be helpful to us and our fellow students,” she says. “A lot of people choose to drink alcohol, and we want to give them the facts about the laws, how drinking can impair your decision-making, what you should do if you need help, and more.”

Today’s party has another goal as well—to raise at least $2,000 for Casa Esperanza, a center in Roxbury that assists those battling substance abuse and mental health disorders.

Those attending can contribute by purchasing burritos (donated by Qdoba) for $3, “mock-tails” (fruity drinks without alcohol) for $2, and $1 raffle tickets for gift certificates to places like Landry’s Bicycles and Commonwealth Sports Club. There will also be $1 prize bags, filled with assorted lubes, candies, and condoms.

Student Health Services, 881 Commonwealth Ave., offers free condoms, counseling on other forms of birth control, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases (for a fee). Find out more about safe sex and alcohol use here.

The Sex on the BU Beach party is today, September 30, from 4 to 8 p.m. on the BU Beach, behind the George Sherman Union. The event, which will be held rain or shine, is free, and all money raised will be donated to Casa Esperanza.

Want to learn more about alcohol and its effects? BU Today is running a series about alcohol during Alcohol Awareness Week, October 17 to 23. The series begins October 18.

Amy Laskowski can be reached at amlaskow@bu.edu.