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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 22, 1987)
COLLEGE LIFE A return to monogamy is most pronounced among gay males mg emphasis, says Michael ( arrera, t he sex educator But it s really not sex-positive messages; it’s sex-negative mes sages. \N hat I m concerned about is t hat t he young people on college campuses simply not he left with tear about sexual ity. hear of disease can lead to exaggerated responses Ellen, a 26-year-old graduate student at the University of Maryland, always uses a cont raceptive sponge when she and her boyfriend Mark make love; he wears two condoms for double protection. "I'm totally terrified of diseases and pregnancy,” says Kllen. I’d like to make people wear a total body condom if I could." Fear shows up in ot her forms as well ()n some campuses, anti-gay feelings are exhibited openly—as if AIDS were an affliction wreaked by gays. Rock Hudson and I a Ik* race jokes were in vogue after those entertainers died of AIDS Fraternities and sororities at Dartmouth and I’enn. among other places, have held parties with distinctly anti-gay overtones that made fun of AIDS. Some straight students admit that AIDS has increased homophobia on campus. Not only for me but for a lot of jicople. AIDS is like a huge block," says Brian, a Columbia freshman "You had enough trouble dealing with [gays) anyway, and AIDS just makes it harder to accept them It just sort of reinforces the idea of them as outcasts.” Knowledgeable advisers: At t he same time, some gay students say that the AIDS crisis has brought gays and straights together Since gay organizations have had todeal with the disease for years, they are often good sources of accurate information Terry Weisser, a 1985 Berkeley graduate, has lectured frequently at colleges throughout the San Francis co area since his lover, Paul, died of AIDS in 1985 "People listen to me because I’ve had a personal experience," he says. "I'm credible in that sense." Some educators think that, as more straight students get to know gay students, understanding will follow "One of the great functions of college is to encourage the acceptance of diversity," Kee ling says "As horrible as AIDS is, I hope that one of the good things I hat may come out of our response to AIDS Dr. Ruth on the New Pillow Talk The fear of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases has changed the rules of the matin# #ume. But how to balance the need to be safe with the desire to be sportta neons' Karen Spnripen of Nkwswkkk On C ampus asked everyone s favorite sex theru just. I)r. Ruth Westheirner. about the new sexual etiquette: Newsweek On Campus: How are sexual practices changing on campuses, it at all? Dr. Ruth: I would say it brought a change People are going to be more careful about having a relationship before they have sex. I can’t say if students are having less sex, but I can say there certainly is a lot of discussion. Q. Is there a fear of sex on campuses—or at least a fear of promiscuous sex? A. Absolutely. That fits into what I’ve been saying all along: most people do not want to engage in one-night stands. It’s concern, not fear. 1 don’t think that horror adver tisements and frightening movies are go ing to help. 0. How should the new sexual etiquette work? Who asks about condoms, the woman or the man? Any suggestions as to how and when students can tastefully bring up the subject? A. I favingtoask a partner before thesexual episode, "What was your past love life like.’’' and using a condom are difficult for young people One shouldn't underesti mate that, but it has to be done. 1 don’t know what sale sex is. but I'm sure that using a condom is safer sex I would not make a blanket statement about who should ask Make sure there’s a box of con doms right next to your bed They should be in all colors. Q. But how can a couple keep these technicalities from killing a romantic mood? Keep the spark twinkling': The therapist STK\ KN KHIKDM \\ A. If the woman places the condom on the man as part of foreplay, then that is going to keep the spark twinkling. 0 What is the best way—and the most appropriate time—for gay and straight men and women to bring up the topic of AIDS? A. 1 don’t think we can give a time Any time is appropriate before that first sexual encounter That doesn't mean that some one should say in a bar, "What's your name, your occupation, and do you have a condom'.’" Q. Do you find that college students who are virgins are no longer afraid to admit it? A. I would say that somebody who is not sexually act ive should not he embarrassed My opinion on that has not changed. Q. Have STD's and AIDS done some damage to the image of campus studs'? A. I never thought that a campus stud was an attractive picture in any case. Q. What should colleges be doing to ensure their students safety? A. I believe t hat every single campus ought to have an Awareness Week, not only for SI D’s but also about the importance of using contracept ives and for talking about relationships in general—not forgetting about love And it would he nice if we could get our young people interested in fund raising for research into AIDS, just as President Kennedy inspired young people about space research.
