So I'm doing some research on how to bring back the Condom Fairy here on campus and I came across this letter to the editor on the U News site: B*llikens for Choice's actions were Immature
OH MY GOD. SOME PEOPLE.
Apparently, B*llikens for choice were acting maliciously in trying to taint the pure memories of this students childhood Easters.
Maybe I'm being unfair though. While I disagree with her that they were immature and not actually promoting safer sex, maybe B*llikens for Choice should have been more considerate of the religious connection to the Easter eggs with such a (unnecessarily, imo) disputed topic: sex. But also, maybe not.
I think I'm going to try to *grant wishes* and distribute on weekends, possibly near bars. But do you guys think that could the presence near a bar could send the wrong message, be a bad idea, as consent and intoxication don't go well together? Or if I am also distributing during the day, do you think it would be alright to be present by the bars near campus, as we all know that it's going to happen anyway.
Do you guys have any thoughts about this or suggestions?
Also, if anyone wants to help, it would be a grand old time. I'm pretty excited to create a little stir here...
As far as I can tell, if I'm technically off campus, I don't think I can really get in trouble for this.
Personally, I connect Easter eggs with the big, fluffy bunny, not with God, so I have no problem with putting condoms in Easter eggs. The joy of opening up an Easter egg is getting something you want inside. What if someone does not want candy or chocolate and they just want a condom? It can be flavored...it would be like candy.
ReplyDeleteMaybe if you have the distributing idea on weekends, you could tape the condom in a card that says something like, "Safe and sober sex is the best kind of sex." Give them to people BEFORE they get into the bar. But you're technically off campus, so it shouldn't be an issue.
Oh Gosh Kirstin I loved your post!!! It's true I only see bunnies during easter time. And what do bunnies do (and do a lot)? HAVE SEX! Therefore condoms in Easter Eggs make complete sense to me :)
ReplyDeleteI also think you should tape the condoms onto something such as "consent is sexy!" That way you are promoting safe. healthy, non-violent sex. Also why do you have to be off campus to do this? Is that a SLU law? It just worries me that people are still so far behind on contraception!
Agg! First of all, your project is fucking awesome, and I would love love to help! Please let me know how/if you need it!
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I see your conflict with distributing near bars. I agree with Jessica that it would be nice to see a push for safe-sex on campus- that said, I also think you should rubber people where/when they need it- coming out from bars seems like a good time for that. I totally understand your hesitation as far as the consent/intoxication issue goes. That said, speaking pragmatically (feel free to fight me on this), I don't think that presence of a condom is going to strongly effect anyone's choice on whether or not to have sex; in other words, I think that if people are going to screw, they are going to screw- you would just be ensuring that they do it safely. There definitely needs to be more education on how intoxication invalidates consent, but for the immediate purpose of your project I think it is totally reasonable that you focus more on safe-sex promotion (that said Jessica and Kirstin have awesome ideas on how to tie the two together).
Sorry for the thought-rant... hope this perspective was a little helpful!
To hand the condoms out on campus what about the using sidewalk space thats considered public property so SLU cant shut it down. I think thats what the workers that ask for donations for the homeless do, so looking into that might be helpful.
ReplyDelete