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Show UNDERSTANDING 4 | MyWeberMedia.com | March 15, 2018 BEYOND THE CLASSROOM By HOLLIE WEBSTER Correspondent Jared Hafen and Mackenzie Bray, both from Utah Aids Foundation, workshopped students who attended the queer sex ed workshop on Feb. 28. The workshop had information and resources available to all students, regardless of gender or sexual identity, so that they may better educate themselves. During these types of workshops, Hafen and Bray make it a priority to have a fun and comfortable environment for those participating and wanted to get educated. Screened windows allowed privacy, and assurance of a safe space. “This workshop is good to get informed and provides a space for LGBTQ members to feel comfortable and able to ask questions they may have,” explained Andrea Hernandez, diversity & inclusive programs coordinator. This event focused on educating students on safe sex practices, testing, as well as risk factors. Attendees were able to submit anonymous questions via WSU the infections, this is not the case. diversity’s Facebook page. These quesAccording to the American Sexual tions were later answered by Bray and Health Association, about half, or every Hafen. one in two, sexually active persons will There are many stigmas attached to come in contact with an STI by the age Sexually Transof 25. The CDC mitted Infecalso reports “This workshop is good tions (STI). Bray that there are and Hafen hope an estimated to get informed and to educate the 20 million new provides a space for community and STI’s that ocLGBTQ members to feel end the negative cur within the stigmas attached comfortable and able to ask United States to STIs. questions they may have.” every year, with Bray began around half of the class by gothose individuANDREA HERNANDEZ ing over the comals falling in the WSU Diversity & Inclusive Programs mon STIs. Many age group of 15 Coordinator people are aware to 24. of the various Knowing not types of STIs, but only of the difare not familiar ferent STIs, but with the effects from each one. Each infec- also educating the students on prevention can affect different areas of the body tion is just as important. Located on the differently. A common misconception for third floor in the Union building, Weber’s STIs, is that there is only one test for all Women’s Center provides various con- dom styles for students. Along with the various prevention methods, PREP is a pill that many people are unaware exists. PREP is a pill that can be taken to help prevent HIV. PREP is taken daily, similar to birth control. Utah Aid Foundation encourages those sexually active to take the PREP pill as part of their prevention. “High school level sex education course doesn’t educate the students as much as is needed for their individual needs,” said Andrew Crookston, LGBTQ+ awareness chair on the Diversity board of WSUSA. Utah Aid Foundation test site is located at 1408 S 1100 E Salt Lake City, 84105. Their hours of operations are 5-7 P.M., Monday-Friday. Planned Parenthood in Ogden and Weber State women’s center are available to students with any questions or in need of assistance. Comment on this story at signpost.mywebermedia.com wikipedia.com |