Setting the record straight

Allow me to refute the recent viewpoint "A Vast Right Wing Conspiracy?" (Feb. 25) concerning the Tufts Republicans' reaction to the recent sex fair. The author initially accurately states that the sex fair was supported by Health Services and the Women's Center. It then takes her all of four paragraphs to change her mind and state "Claiming the University itself sponsored the events... was the Tufts Republicans' second grand faux pas."

The sex fair was, according to the viewpoint, "optional" and "educational."

Optional? Unless it is deemed reasonable that students not wishing to partake in the fair must forgo using the ATMs, the entire second floor of the campus center, the Rez, the information booth, and various other rooms and offices, an exhibit in the lobby of the campus center hardly constitutes optional viewing.

Educational? May I ask what exactly was learned at the sex fair that was educational? Unless the sex fair facilitated visitors' leaps from believing in "unsafe" to "safe" sex, I think we can agree that essentially nothing of true educational value was imparted.

No, it isn't a surprise that "STIs are spreading rampant on a campus when there are complaints about learning about proper types of lube." The frighteningly sad surprise is that some seem to believe the campus needs to be taught about "proper types of lube" in order to stop that very same spread.

The selected "Vagina Dialogue" panel unfortunately consisted only of individuals that had previously been involved in the "Vday Movement". Next time, how about inviting panelists from both sides?

These points, however, are distractions from the real issue at hand:University sponsorship. I find both the Film Series porn screenings and the Naked Quad Run to be of poor taste, but that's not as relevant as the fact that neither of these events is condoned by the University the way the sex fair was. For a refresher on President Bacow's opinion of the Naked Quad Run, check your e-mail archives.

The Republicans are not out to bar individuals from organizing "sex fairs." We just want the University to stop sponsoring them. The author says she deserves "the truth." If she held her readers in the same high regard as she does herself, she would have offered them some in her viewpoint.



Nicholas Boyd

LA '06