Celebrating Sexual Health Awareness Month

Every February, the campus community, in collaboration with the Barnes Center at The Arch, celebrates Frisky February, Syracuse University’s Sexual Health Awareness Month. Celebrations throughout the month highlight themes of education, relationships, self-love and campus resources.

“Within a fun and welcoming environment, I love that Frisky February shares positive messaging around body image and relationships, while connecting the campus community to educational resources,” says Deb Orieta ’20, Barnes Center at The Arch peer educator.

With over 12 programs and activities, the month kicks off with a Sexual Health Resource Fair, on Monday, Feb. 3, 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Life Sciences Complex. Students are invited to play games, earn prizes and discover on- and off-campus sexual health resources.

Returning for the 18th year, the Annual Drag Show Preliminaries will be hosted on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 8 to 10 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium. Tickets are $3 and available in the My Tickets Portal. Watch Syracuse University and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s (ESF) fiercest drag artists perform for a spot in the Drag Show Finals on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 8 to 10 p.m., in the Goldstein Auditorium.

Students are invited to enjoy a free pizza party and earn community service hours at the Safer Sex Express Volunteer Packing Party on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m., in 309 Barnes Center at The Arch. Volunteers will help assemble Safer Sex Express packages and Wellness First Aid Kits. While on Thursday, Feb. 13, and Friday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the second floor of the Barnes Center at The Arch, students are invited to participate in Get Yourself Tested: STI Screening Days, for free and confidential STI screenings. Space is limited to a first-come, first-served basis.

On Monday, March 2, from 7 to 9 p.m., the campus community is invited to attend the Keynote Speaker lecture The Body is Not an Apology: From Body Empowerment to Global Justice with Sonya Renee Taylor. Taylor is the founder and radical executive officer of The Body is Not an Apology, a digital media and education company with content reaching half a million people each month. Location to be announced on the Barnes Center at The Arch website.

“From sexual health education to body positivity, Frisky February works to reduce stigmas and empower students,” says Alyssa Cregan ’20.

Attend events and participate in the social media challenge to win free prizes! Additional events include:

• Disabled People Are Better at Sex presentation: Friday, Feb. 14, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Peter Graham Scholarly Commons, Bird Library
• Mix It Up: Relationships & Sexual Health: Friday, Feb. 14, 5-7:30 p.m., Center for International Services
• Heather Mae Concert: Monday, Feb. 17, 7 to 9 p.m., Skybarn, South Campus
• PEEHRS Have You Covered: Tuesday, Feb. 18, 7 to 9 p.m., Barnes Center at The Arch, Recreation Lobby
• The Joys of Toys: Sex Toys 101: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 6:30-8 p.m., 309 Barnes Center at The Arch

Learn more on the Barnes Center at The Arch website and use #FriskyFebruary to share your experiences on social. To requests accommodations, please contact Michelle Goode, sexual and relationship violence prevention health promotion specialist of the Barnes Center at The Arch, at mlgoode@syr.edu or by calling 315.443.7273.

Story by Division of Enrollment and the Student Experience communications intern Abigail J. Covington ’19, G’20