LBCC students joined the Healthy Viking Initiative, alongside Planned Parenthood LA, in a virtual workshop on the topic of sexually transmitted diseases and safe sex on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
During the Zoom, students learned about different types of STDs, the stigma around them, how to prevent them, and ways to implement safe practices in their intimate lives.
Guiding the conversation was Planned Parenthood educator Brittinae Phillips, alongside technology coordinator TiYuana Morehead, manning the keyboard and occasionally adding information to Phillips’ information.
Students were given the opportunity to share their opinions without bias, with Phillips asking several questions to participants. Getting them to think more deeply about their preconceptions in relation to diseases spread through sex.
“We don’t talk about [STDs] enough, we think it won’t affect us, so we ignore it,” said Ezra Rodriguez, a student participant in the workshop.
Different stigmas on the matter could be explored and broken down in this free space. On the false rumor that AIDS is only a gay disease, Phillips said, “Sexual orientation does not equate to sexual partners.”
Phillips wanted to teach students how to make informed decisions for themselves. She gave students information on how STDS spread and the best ways to prevent them so they could make informed decisions.
Proper condom use was an important subject that was touched upon by the speakers. Condoms should be stored carefully, avoiding wallets, cars, or free-falling in pockets, as the friction and heat in these places lead to degradation in the latex.
Another form of protection mentioned in the discussion was homemade dental dams, a cost-friendly alternative to traditional ones.
Dental dams are single-use, flat pieces of latex for oral sex.
A video on how to create the dental dams was shown, giving step-by-step directions. Using a condom, cut off the top, then slit it down the side, creating a flat piece of latex-free to use as desired.
According to Morehead, when using protection, it’s good to “remove the gender aspect” that is often associated with it.
Phillips also encouraged attendees to regularly get STD testing, regardless of their relationship status (monogamous, non-monogamous, very sexually active, or not) and continually use physical barriers like dental dams and condoms to prevent the spread of these diseases.
By giving students access to this seminar, they could further explore different ideas and form their own opinions. Phillips gently guided them throughout, telling students to “Do what you need to do to take care of yourself.”