K.I.S.S.- Keeping it sexually safe

By Diana Ramos |Staff Writer|

February is National Condom Month.

The Student Health Center hosted their first event called Keeping It Sexually Safe (K.I.S.S) on Wednesday Feb. 12.

This event educated students on contraceptives and sexually transmitted infections (STI).

Jeanette Montoya said, “If you’re not sexually active you can still participate, because this event is not meant to pressure you into having sex.”

The event was to inform students, so when they decide they are ready, they will know how to take care of themselves.

The event brought together different departments from CSUSB for the purpose of educating and informing students how to have safe sex.

The Pride Center, Cross Cultural Center, Coyote Nurses and the Student Health Center were a few departments on campus that participated in this event.

The K.I.S.S event had many booths, and each had different activities for students.

There was a specific booth that showed pupils how to properly use a condom.

After Montoya demonstrated how to properly put on a condom she gave everyone the opportunity to put a condom on a plastic penis.

The booth, ran by the Student Health Center, also gave important tips for using condoms.

1. Check the expiration date.

2. Check if there is air in the packaging. This makes sure there are no holes in the packaging.

3. Push the condom to one side of the packaging and tear.

4. If the tip of the condom is inside out DO NOT put your finger in it because that might cause the condom to tear, gently blow to put it in its correct form.

5. Hold the tip of the condom as you place it on the erect penis.

This helps keep a section for the ejaculation, preventing the condom from tearing.

Not only is it National Condom Month, but this past week was also Sexual Responsibility Week.

Many booths had fun, educational games that informed students about the different scenarios in which they could be at risk of catching an STI.

They also informed students of the different types of STIs and their symptoms using visual examples.

I believe these visuals were really informative. They were very descriptive in showing how painful catching an STI can be.

You can reduce the chance of catching an STI by using a condom and getting tested often.

Going to an event like this is not something to be embarrassed about.

An event like K.I.S.S helps you prepare for when the time is right to be sexually active because they give you the tools and knowledge in order to be sexually smart and safe.

The Student Health Center offers various events throughout the year to educate students on sex and they also inform students about preventative methods regarding unwanted pregnancies and/or STIs, and recommendations on getting tested.

They encourage everyone to stop by and get educated!