Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
June 04, 2002
'Healthy Sexuality' theme of annual sex conference
The 24th annual Conference on Human Sexuality runs June 17 to 19 at the University of Guelph. This year’s theme is “Healthy Sexuality: Expanding Knowledge, Broadening Perspectives.”
Talks and workshops will explore topics such as using literature to promote sexual health, sexual bartering by young women and homophobia in schoolyard bullying. The event will bring together more than 500 educators, nurses, physicians, therapists, social workers, clergy, students and other health professionals.
The main conference runs June 17 to 19 and includes more than 50 workshops and sessions. The conference is open only to registrants and the media. Media passes may be arranged in advance. A media registration desk will be set up on the ground floor of the Thornbrough Building.
Program highlights:
Monday, June 17, 8 p.m.
• “Beyond Healthy Sexuality: Embracing Desire.” Keynote address will connect desire to the quest for ultimate well-being and will focus on desire as a human quality and as the fundamental dimension of human life.
Tuesday, June 18
Morning concurrent sessions, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• “Pheromones in Human Sexuality.” An introduction to the use of male and female pheromones for sexual attraction, and in treating menstrual disorders, anxiety and sexual dysfunction.
• “Perspectives on Bisexuality and the Fluidity of Sexual Orientation.” Through sharing their stories, the panellists will explain identity formation, how bisexuality differs for men and women and how attraction affects relationships, including open marriages.
Afternoon concurrent sessions, 2 to 5 p.m.
• “Tantra: Pleasures of Body, Mind and Spirit.” An introduction to the principles and practices of Tantra, the extended form of love making that focuses on a connection that goes beyond body, to mind, heart and soul.
• “Young Men: Exploring their Needs, Increasing our Effectiveness as Sexuality Educators.” A workshop that examines biological and cultural factors that impact on boys’ sexual development.
• “TEEN TALK Talks: A Youth-Oriented Approach to Holistic Sexuality Education.” TEEN TALK, a Manitoba-based group will share their methods of providing youth with accurate, non-judgmental information from a feminist, gay-positive, pro-choice perspective.
Wednesday, June 19
Plenary Address, 9 a.m.
• “The Novel Way to Promote Sexual Health.” A presentation of novels and stories that can be used to show young people how others have grappled with sexuality issues similar to their own.
Morning concurrent sessions, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• “A Giant Step: Promoting Healthy Sexuality for Youth by Supporting the Role of Parents as Sex Educators for their Children.” A session that challenges sexuality counsellors, educators and specialists to enlist parents as allies and collaborators in their children’s sex education.
• “‘I’ll Scratch Your Back, You Scratch Mine’...A Look at Sexual Bartering Among Young Women.” An examination of the ways young women provide sexual favours to their partners in exchange for gifts without enjoyment or love.
Afternoon concurrent sessions, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• “Talking About Sexual Health is a Healthy Thing to Do.” Strategies for educators, counsellors and health professionals to help their clients open up to communicate sexual questions and concerns.
• “What We Don’t Tell Girls II: More Plumbing and Pleasure.” An interactive workshop that explores how to teach girls about sexual pleasure and the body’s functions and capabilities.
• “Homophobia in Schoolyard Bullying: A Theoretical and Exploratory Analysis.” A look at why homophobic bullying has received little attention in anti-bullying programs, even though it is one of the most common forms of bullying.
• “An Insider’s View of the Exotic Dance Business.” Two former exotic dancers will explain why the need for support and services to exotic dancers has never been greater and will provide recommendations for change.
• “Re-thinking Straight Men’s Sexuality.” An interactive workshop that explores some of the cultural, social and political ideas that may constrain straight men’s sexual repertoire.
For more details and a full program of events, contact Karen Maki, manager, program development, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 3412. The complete program and registration form are available online at www.open.uoguelph.ca/sexconf.
For media questions, call Communications and Public Affairs, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 6982 or Ext. 3338.
