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The Spectator
Hamilton on Sex, Drugs and Hunger
LUL aims to provide students with a forum ato discuss important issues
Kari Arneson '10Features Writer
October 30, 2009
This past week was an important week for Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity (La Unidad Latina). The organization's "semana dorada," or "golden week," was a week full of events and workshops. One of the most interesting events of the week was "Better Sex 101-Busting he Myths and Keeping it Real," a discussion hosted by La Unidad Latina last Thursday night.
The Science Center classroom where the discussion was held was transformed, with dozens of balloons on the ground and sex toys, books and condoms at the front of the classroom. About 30 students came to discuss the social and cultural issues surrounding sex, including consequences, fears and how to make sex better. The discussion started with everyone introducing themselves and answering the question, "Do you like cuddling?" Then, the hosts of the event ensured participants that the classroom was a "safe space" which meant that anything said during the discussion would not leave the room.
Then each member of the discussion wrote down their biggest sexual fear and put their answers in a hat. The answers were redistributed and each person had to read another person's answer. The purpose of the exercise was to show that everyone has fears about sex. The discussion was meant to promote communication about the topic, because the only way to overcome those fears was to talk about them.
At that point, students were split into three groups: those who were attracted to men, those who were attracted to women and those who were attracted to both. The groups separated and discussed what they think their partner expects. The groups came back together and presented their answers to the other groups. Students then asked questions and pointed out when they thought a group was wrong about their partners' supposed expectations. The discussion moved into the area of likes and dislikes, what turns people on, and what a partner shouldn't do. One point everyone agreed on was that a couple should talk about these issues in order to make sex better.
La Unidad Latina and Lambda Upsidon Lambda hosted some other events that explored thought-provoking subjects, such as the "Illicit, Legal, Medicinal" conversation on Tuesday, which was a discussion about drugs and their roles in the lives of Hamilton students as well as society at large. The event provided an open forum where students could feel comfortable discussing a controversial subject.
On Wednesday, LUL and HAVOC hosted "Hamilton Against Hunger," where students could help deliver leftover food from the McEwen dining hall to those in need. On Saturday, members of LUL worked at Community Service Day and on Sunday, the "semana dorada" ended with an information session about Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity. This week, LUL showed its commitment to community service and its interest in improving students' lives by providing safe spaces for students to discuss important issues that affect them.