 "Photo: Heather Hemstreet, Staff Photographer")
The San Diego State chapter of the National Organization for Women is hosting "I Love Consensual Sex" Day today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Free Speech Steps in Aztec Center.
The purpose of the event is to educate everyone on what consensual sex really means.
"Consent must be a verbal yes, and it must be sober," said Valerie Winstrom, a health educator on campus who teaches a class called Frat MANers. "In the state of California, there's a lot of rapes that go on, and they're intoxicated rapes.
"If she's too intoxicated to fully give consent, that could be considered rape."
This is just one fact that many don't know about what it really means to have consensual sex.
The event features tables with information and statistics about the many kinds of sexual assault.
Ayari Aquayo, a member of Gamma Rho Lambda, said there are even cases of women assaulting other women.
"It's something that isn't generally spoken about at this event," said Aquayo, a women's studies senior. "It isn't that common but it does happen, and it's not widely talked about."
Amanda Whitehead, who shared her own personal experience with sexual assault last Thursday at SDSU's "Take Back the Night," was raped by a boyfriend three years ago. She said she has healed with the support of her therapist and sister, as well as by reaching out to others who have been through similar situations.
"I plan on wearing a short skirt and heels," said Whitehead of today's event. "It's going to be about the idea that it doesn't matter what I'm wearing. (My outfit is) for me; it's not for you."
Whitehead, an English sophomore, said she has a positive attitude, but is open about the fact that she still goes through hard times with what happened to her.
"There's always going to be difficult times with it," Whitehead said. "I've been intimate with men since then, but I know that definitely was more difficult at first.
"I believe that it's one of the things that will stay with you for a lifetime, but I believe that it does get easier."
Whitehead's suggestion for anyone who has been through rape is to seek help through therapy and to get involved in putting a stop to rape altogether.
Liz Landau, the chairperson for "I Love Consensual Sex" Day, said this event is for everyone.
"We want men to come to this event to get an idea of what is really going on so they can learn more about what they can do to help prevent sexual assault," Landau said. "And we want women to come to this event to educate themselves."
NOW will be selling "I Love Consensual Sex" T-shirts for $15 and sweatshirts for $25. A portion of the proceeds for this event will go toward Little House Family Services, a local organization that helps victims of domestic abuse.
Join NOW on the Free Speech Steps near Aztec Center for more information, or check out www.wastedsex.com to learn more about what sober, consensual sex means.
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