Planned Parenthood Generation Action at ASU is hosting its second annual Sex Week from March 2 to March 6.
Leigh Alcantara, a sophomore studying biomedical engineering and lead organizer of Sex Week, said, "Sex Week is a school week ... on the ASU Tempe campus, that focuses on (reproductive) rights, sex ed and trans care."
The week partners with the Young Democratic Socialists of America at ASU, Rainbow Coalition, Devils in the Bedroom, Transfam and many other clubs on campus.
The event has expanded from last year's version to be longer and to cover a wider variety of topics, with an emphasis on LGBTQ+ care.
According to Alcantara, the goal of extending the event was to avoid cramming a large amount of information into a short period of time.
"Last year it was four days focused on (reproductive) rights, sex ed, Planned Parenthood and one day focused on queerness," Alcantara said. "We changed that this year instead, it's three days focused on, specifically Planned Parenthood, sex ed, mutual aid work, and then two full days focused on queer care."
Talking about sex education, health and reproductive rights can be overwhelming for individuals who do not know where to start. The event's goal is to make these conversations less intimidating and more approachable to college students.
"(Sex Week's) a home for knowledge and those scary conversations that a lot of people obviously are too afraid to have," Lana Maertins, a freshman studying psychology and event volunteer, said. "We have a place where we are accepted and that our bodies are beautiful, and they're not taboo, and just they aren't hard to talk about."
The week prides itself on being a judgment-free zone for students to ask questions they have about their sexual health.
Each day has a different focus with the intention of meeting the needs of different students on campus.
Monday is "PPs and Mocktails," an event where students can ask PPGEN questions about reproductive health and sex education — the event will also offer food and Plan B's.
Thomi Brown, a sophomore studying philosophy and political science and an event volunteer, said, "We're doing an opening event with PPGEN where we introduce everyone to all the things that Planned Parenthood really does."
Tuesday is "Build-A-Bag," where students have the opportunity to pack emergency bags full of hygiene and reproductive products.
"We're doing a collab for people to come in and make emergency bags filled with free Plan B, condoms, pads, tampons (and) lube," Brown said. "We'll have some other resources as well."
READ MORE: USG Downtown works with PPGEN ASU to provide sexual health supplies, hygiene products
Wednesday is "Own Ur Pleasure," a day that will discuss all things related to sexually transmitted infections and sexual consent. Students can make zines and talk about STI care.
The event is also doing a sex toy giveaway, which will include items such as rose toys, dildos, lube, vibrators, handcuffs and blindfolds, Alcantara said.
"Everyone will be given a zine template, and they can fill it out," Alcantara said. "It'll be a cute way to make a zine cheat sheet on your STI care. So you'll walk away ... knowing what to get tested for if you have specific concerns, and maybe a sex toy."
Thursday is "The T4T Trade" a day that is dedicated to learning about gender identity and how to get Hormone Replacement Therapy as a college student.
On Thursday and Friday, the event will have a clothing drive, multiple vendors and artists for students to shop and explore.
"That day is more of just asking people their experiences, and then having a lot of vendors come in, specifically focusing on trans care and trans people just making them feel at home," Maertins said.
The final day of the week will be "Cheers to Queers," where they will screen the movie "I Saw the TV Glow," and the clothing drive, vendors and clubs will be back.
"Friday is a bunch of different collaborations from clubs, but that's the movie night where a lot of different crafts are going to happen, and then a bunch of different snacks," Maertins said.
Students do not have to show up every day to participate; they are encouraged to go to events that meet their interests.
Overall, Sex Week is for students looking to learn more and have fun with their peers.
"Even if Monday isn't the day for you, maybe Tuesday is," Alcantara said. "If Tuesday isn't, maybe Wednesday is, and if Wednesday isn't, Thursday and Friday are going to be so cool. People should come to Sex Week, because it's going to be for them."
Edited by Natalia Rodriguez, Henry Smardo, Emilio Alvarado and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at galawre3@asu.edu.
Like The State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on X.
Grace Lawrence is the lead reporter for the community and culture desk at The State Press. This is her 2nd semester working with The State Press.
