Building on Dal鈥檚 annual Pink Day, this year saw the university promoting a respectful campus environment void of bullying, intimidation, and harassment, over the entire week of Sept. 28鈥揙ct. 2.
As part of Respect Week events, on Tuesday, September 29 both the Agricultural and Studley campuses played host to sex educator and her 鈥淣ot So Typical Sex Talk.鈥�
Dr. Shuey presents about sexuality and sexual expression to hundreds of organizations and groups across North America.
At the Halifax event in the Marion McCain Buidling鈥檚 Ondaatje Theatre on Tuesday night, Dr. Shuey spoke in a completely open, unhindered style about the importance of sexuality. She started her hour-and-a-half lecture off by asking the audience members what they thought the most important sex organ in the body was? When students were shown a giant picture of the brain, they knew they were in for an interesting and stimulating presentation.
Far more informative than your average high school health class, Dr. Shuey was animated and passionate. She touched on topics of sensuality, intimacy, sexualization, sexual health and reproduction, and sexual identity.
She engaged her audience using two large plush puppets 鈥� a penis and a vagina 鈥� which helped to break tension while educating the attendees. She openly invited questions of all sorts and helped students to understand the importance of consent.
Using the acronym S.H.A.R.E, Dr. Shuey highlighted important factors in healthy relationships: safety, honesty, acceptance, respect and enjoyment. She also emphasized sexual individuality, stating, 鈥淧eople get to define and describe themselves. Labels are for soup cans, not people.鈥�
Dr. Shuey was humorous as well as illuminating. She drew the audience in and encouraged active participation. At the end of the lecture, she provided a number to which students could text anonymous questions 鈥� a clever way to let people speak their minds.
In a not-so-typical way, Dr. Shuey educated Dal students in all aspects of respect, and was an enjoyable addition to an important week.
An atypical sex talk
Jenna Smith - October 8, 2015
Justine Shuey speaking in the McCain Building. (Ali Seglins photo)