Last night, Voices for Choice (VOX) hosted a lecture concerning reproductive rights, health and sexuality.
Grand Opening!, a self-proclaimed "sexuality boutique" located in Brookline, came to the Crane room to offer students a perspective on both safe sex and sexual pleasure.
Matie Fricker, the assistant store manager of Grand Opening!, gave students a free tutorial on a m?©lange of sexual protection methods and sexual devices. These included, but were not limited to condoms, lubricants, lotion, vibrators and a variety of literature.
According to Fricker, the boutique is not commission-based and she receives no money for selling products to college students.
"We're education based. We're also feminist owned and operated," Fricker said.
While Fricker did speak about safe sex, she also came to inform students that "sexual pleasure was a human right as well."
"All you need is a brain and your imagination - we bring you help with the imagination!" Fricker said.
The event was done in conjunction with Sexual Responsibility Week, a national event.
At Tufts, the weeklong event began with a theatrical performance of the Vagina Monologues and ends tonight with "A Sexy Soiree" held in Hotung Cafe. The Soiree, a dance, is a joint effort between both VOX and the Tufts Democrats. The dance begins at 11 p.m. and ends at 3 a.m.
According to VOX President Judy Neufeld, VOX means "voice" in Latin, a reflection of the organization's commitment to reproductive freedom. VOX, a national group, is an affiliate of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.
Grand Opening! visits many schools in the Boston and Cambridge area. On the night of the sex tutorial at Tufts, a sex party was being hosted simultaneously by the company at Emerson College.
Approximately 45 students attended the event. Sophomore Annie Ross went to the event because she "thought it would just be a lot of fun!"
Grand Opening! also offered students information highlighting events and workshops happening in the Boston area such as "The Walking Tour of the Clitoris" and "Integrating Sexuality and Spirituality."
Packets containing condoms, sex tips and candy were handed out at the event. The boutique also offered students forms on which they could order sexual paraphernalia, free of shipping costs.
When asked if she planned on purchasing any items, Ross responded, "Maybe, but I like that they have order forms so you can do it anonymously."
