It’s time to talk sex.
Safe and enthusiastic sex, that is. Jaclyn Friedman, writer, educator and activist, will be coming to Ohio University on Tuesday, bringing the conversation of sexual consent to the table. Friedman will be having breakout sessions during her visit between students, faculty, staff and activists on campus and will hold a large keynote speech Tuesday night.
“(The keynote is) just to sort of dive a little deeper,” Friedman said. “I know that (OU has) been having conversations already on campus about consent and about ‘what does rape culture mean’ and ‘what are the impacts of it,’ and my hope is to sort of connect the dots in between those things - the idea that we really have to take a look at the way the sexual culture functions in order to address and reduce rape on your campus and anywhere else.”
Susanne Dietzel, director of the Women’s Center, said she is excited for Friedman’s visit and to look at sexual relationships and rape culture in a different way.
“She’s really helping us to refine and focus our conversation on sexual assault a little bit to look at ways in which we stop blaming the victim, which is one of the big things that always comes out when we talk about sexual assault,” Dietzel said.
Friedman will have the chance to talk to faculty, staff and students who have been reading her work with Dietzel and Patty Stokes, Women’s and Gender Studies assistant professor. Stokes said her visit gives an opportunity for faculty to step up as leaders and to bring something new to the consent conversation.
“Of course I’m excited to have the conversation continue about consent and rape culture and how to diminish its impact on campus, but I’m excited personally because I’ve been reading her work for the past several years, and I think she has interesting things to say that are rooted in reality,” Stokes said.
If participants study her work or haven’t read a page, Sarah Tucker Jenkins, program coordinator of the Women’s and LGBT Centers, said the message would come across.
“That’s great if you did (read her work) but you’re still going to be able to understand what she’s talking about when it comes to consent and just general behavior, especially between people who identify as men and people who identify as women and the ways that we can change viewing male gender and female gender,” Jenkins said.
Friedman said she is excited for her visit and to hopefully impact the culture at OU.
“It gives me a chance to really understand your community in a deeper way than when I come and give the talk and leave, so I’m really looking forward to hearing from everybody and learning what’s going on at OU,” Friedman said.
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If You Go:
What: Dinner and Book Discussion
When: 5:00 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Women’s Center, Baker 403
Admission: RSVP to dietzel@ohio.edu
What: Jaclyn Friedman “Beyond Consent: How Reclaiming Sexuality Combats Sexual Violence”
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Baker Ballroom
Admission: Free
What: Professional Break-Out Session
When: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. Wednesday
Where: Baker 240/242
Admission: Free
What: Brown Bag Lunch & Learn
When: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Women’s Center, Baker 403
Admission: Free
What: Community Break-Out Session, Student Activists
When: 2 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Multicultural Multi-purpose Room
Admission: Free
