Peer Health Educators held a conversation on safe sex for undergraduate students during their Sex in the Dark event in Ursa’s Fireside Sept. 26.

The educators, in collaboration with First 40, organized Sex in the Dark to make students more aware of the risks that can come with sex and to demonstrate how to avoid those risks, encouraging sexual activity that is consensual, safe and pleasurable.

Sophomore Peer Health Educators Arianna Parkhideh and Nautica Farrell led discussions and interactive activities about topics ranging from pleasure and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to methods of protection. After the presentation, Planned Parenthood-certified peer educator and “sexpert” Mackenzie Thompson answered questions from attendees.

“Safety is a big part [of] being in a good mental state for pleasure,” Parkhideh said. “When you feel confident that you’re taking the steps to reduce the risks of sex, you and your partner can have a lot of fun.”

The speakers pinpointed local resources, such as STI screening and pregnancy testing available at Planned Parenthood St. Louis, as well as the Habif Health and Wellness Center, which will also have free STI screening in the Danforth University Center Oct. 29.

Additionally, Parkhideh and Farrell discussed other University organizations dedicated to sex-related discourse, including The Date, Green Dot, Sexual Assault and Rape Anonymous Helpline (SARAH) and Leaders in Interpersonal Violence Education (LIVE), and how they work to make campus a safer place when it comes to sex.

The Peer Health Educators will host another Sex in the Dark Oct. 3, focused on LGBTQIA+ individuals.

“We just thought that it was such a big and important topic that it should have its own Sex in the Dark,” Farrell said.

Between 10 and 15 students showed up to Ursa’s over the course of the 90-minute event, including freshman Christian Snipes.

“I thought it was a really good event,” Snipes said. “They told me different methods and other ways of using protection that I wasn’t aware of. I liked all the sexperts and their advice and how mature they all were about these issues.”

Parkhideh acknowledged that while sex is an enjoyable part of the college lifestyle, students also need to recognize the risks.

“We all know about how sex is a lot of fun, but, sadly, sex also comes with risks,” Parkhideh said during the event. “But we are used to managing risks. Cars are very useful but also dangerous. We reduce the risk and the danger by wearing a seat belt, following the laws. Sex also has risks, but we can reduce these risks.”