Photo provided by Jay Friedman
J-Spot makes light of sex
By kevin casteel
krcasteel@vwc.edu
Virginia Wesleyan got the chance to host sex educator,Jay Friedman on September 6th, 2007. Friedman brought his mind-blowing lecture performance, sponsored by ICE and Equality Alliance, The J-Spot: A Sex Educator Tells All to the Marlin Grille.
Friedman has been called the Michael Moore of Sex (jaytalk.com) for opening up the truth about sex in our culture, while maintaining a sex-positive approach.
Most of us do not get useful information about sex, said Friedman. We have natural desires to learn about sex. Sex is good.
Some of my biggest challenges or universal purpose is that people receive quality information about sex, he said. Questions about sex reflects ignorance when it comes to sex.
Friedman has been a sex educator for more than twenty-two years. He has also worked for a family planning organization, in college health, and as a consultant in many countries such as Europe, New Zealand, China and Japan. He has also been an annual nominee for the National Association of Campus Activities honor for Lecture of the Year.
Some of the issues that Friedman discussed with the Wesleyan student body included information about the prevention of pregnancy, disease, and sexual violence. He stated that the United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy.
The average age of intercourse is 11.8 years old for inner city kids, said Friedman.
Why are guys always ready to have sex? He stated the first reason was the so-called locker room talk , while the second reason was called the score.
Homophobia is the fear of being perceived as gay, exclaimed Friedman.
Change takes time, said Freidman. Acceptance will go up with open communication, but it will take time. Internal homophobia is insecurity in personal sexuality. People will come out when they find a safe place and are comfortable.
Another heated topic that Freidman discussed was the political and conservative climate. He wanted to show the audience how attitudes in America actually cripple people with sexual ignorance while robbing them of their pleasure.
When discussing the topic of liberals vs. conservatives, Friedman said, Conservatives try to turn issues back on God, guns, and gays. When asked about the issue of gay marriage, Freidman said, Homosexual couples will get right what heterosexuals do not.
Another important topic that Friedman discussed was pleasure. Giving safe, but sensible tips on how to increase sexual satisfaction, he asked: When is the right time to have sex? Freidman stated, There are three conditions:affirming, accepting responsibility, and assuring mutual pleasure.
His style was refreshing and I loved the way he would tell a story a certain way to catch your attention, said Sophomore Maria Sneed. I like the way how he went through the politics of sex and sex education in America versus the sex education programs in other countries such as Norway. The programs in Norway are much more open and honest, as in America mostly everything is censored and we focus a lot more on abstinence. Overall, our country has a very conservative position when it comes to discussing sex.