MCTDrew Pinsky, known to millions as Dr. Drew from the radio program Loveline, is coming to Washington University this Friday as the keynote speaker of Sex Week, a weeklong event concerning sexual issues on campus.
Sex Week, which will be sponsored by the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), focuses on encouraging openness about sexual issues among students.
“I think putting sex out in the open makes it a lot easier for kids to talk about it amongst themselves and open up dialogues among friends,” said senior Alex Ambinder, a Sexual Responsibility Week programming co-chair. “Striking up conversations is a good way to feel comfortable around the subject. And when you feel comfortable with the subject, you are more likely to make good and safe decisions.”
The emphasis will be on student concerns. Students will be treated to a question-and-answer forum with Pinsky running from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15 in Graham Chapel. Afterward, there will be a reception in Retner Gallery, where students will have more opportunities to ask questions.
Pinsky has worked on VH1’s Loveline for over twenty years, answering the questions of teenagers and adults who call in to the nationally syndicated radio show played by over 100 radio stations.
A board-certified physician and addiction medicine specialist, he offers a wide array of advice for medical and relationship problems.
Pinsky is also famous from his Discovery Channel show, “Strictly Dr. Drew,” and his new VH1 show, “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.”
As the featured guest at the last event of Sex Week, Pinsky represents an attitude about sex that SHAC hopes to promote, says Ambinder.
“His attitude is good for college kids because he’s objective and nonjudgmental. He’s also a professional. He has real medical degrees and credentials,” said Ambinder.
According to senior Amy Chen, president of SHAC, Pinsky is also a natural choice because of his appeal to the college-age demographic.
“He’s in tune with the younger crowd,” said Chen. “His TV shows are on MTV and VH1, which are directed toward younger people.”
“The hard part is making it educational and entertaining at the same time,” said Ambinder. “Not only is [Dr. Drew] a pro, he brings an element of popular culture to it, which brings people to it.”
Last year, sex expert Sue Johansson from the Sunday Night Sex Show spoke at Sex Week.
“We had no limits with her, and we’re hoping to recreate that this year with Dr. Drew,” said junior Cybill Esguerra, a Sexual Responsibility Week Programming Co-Chair.
Students are excited by the opportunity to hear Dr. Drew.
“I think it’s pretty cool, but I don’t know if I’ll ask him questions myself,” said freshman Madeline Handschy.
“I always just talked to my friends [about sex]. I learned everything I need to know from my mother and my friends. I never felt the need to talk to a professional,” said freshman Olivia Jahn.
For more information on the event, students can go to the Sex Week table that will be advertising in Mallinckrodt Center all week.