Let’s talk condoms, folks

On Friday and Saturday, Feb. 1 and 2, MSU’s Office of Health Advancement (OHA) held a Condom Carnival in the SUB. MSU is extremely active when it comes to the health and education of its students, and the Condom Carnival is yet another installment of their sexual health awareness campaign.

They have held similar, smaller events in the past in individual residence halls, but nothing quite as big as the Condom Carnival (with the exception of OHA’s yearly Condom Fashion Show). The SUB ballrooms were creatively decorated with a multitude of condoms and other sexual health paraphernalia. Along the walls were 10 different stations dedicated to anatomy, intimacy and contraception options. Free food was also provided, and a live DJ provided music for the event.

While the aim of the event was to raise sexual awareness, there were also stations dedicated to ways of having a healthy relationship. These stations provided students with advice on how to maintain a happy and successful relationship with your partner, both physically and mentally, which was a nice change of pace from looking at the human anatomy section.

The Montana Advocacy for Sexual Health (MASH) group held a spin wheel trivia contest where contestants could win a variety of prizes relating to sexual health if they gave the correct answer. MASH aims to further sexual health education for students on campus and the community at large, all while providing a safe and comfortable place to talk about sexual health.

Overall, the Condom Carnival was a great, and free, way to get more information on sexual education and healthy sexual practices. One of the biggest takeaways was that students should not wait to get tested for STI’s. The Swingle Health Center in the SUB provides anonymous STI testing as well as free condoms in its lobby. Sexual health is important — not only for you, but the campus as a whole. So, when in doubt, go out, get tested and stay safe.