Students run sex talk show on campus radio

In a dimly lit room inside the WIUS studio, junior Lindsay Baumgartner and freshman Matt Leach take their seats across from each other, put on their headphones and prepare to go on air. Without nervous stutters or flushed cheeks, the two students begin their Monday night talk show, WIUSEX, and for the next hour they discuss sex.\n"It's stimulating," said Baumgartner. "We're not doctors or anything, but we can at least let people know what's available to them."\nInfluenced by the nationally broadcast radio show, "Loveline," Baumgartner received permission from WIUS last semester to host her own sex talk show. She dedicated her time slot to discussing sex because she believes it is an issue that affects students' health and their emotions. She said it is not perverse, as some people believe, to talk openly about sex.\n"The same way talking about emotions builds bonds, so does talking about sex, because it is emotional," said Baumgartner. "Some people are really closed up about it, and that's sad."\nWhen Leach heard Baumgartner was looking for a co-host, he jumped at the chance. \n"I think about sex a lot," said Leach. "Thinking about sex makes you want to talk about it."\nNow the two host the show together every Monday night. The show often features Chelsea York, who works for Fantasy Inc., a company that distributes sex toys. York provides the show with different toys with the condition Baumgartner and Leach find people to use them and then review them on the show.\nEach show begins with the sex toy review. Last week, two freshmen expressed their mutual fondness for the Insatiable G, a type of vibrator. Both said they worked up the courage to talk about their experiences and were excited to be on the show.\n"I hate that girls never talk about masturbation," said freshman Allison Overdeer. "It is important to masturbate. Not too many women are happy about their sex lives, and they should take matters into their own hands, so to speak." \nAfter the toy review, Baumgartner and Leach interview the guests. Past guests have included a man who specialized in genital piercing, a human sexuality professor, members of the Student's Global Aids Campaign, Planned Parenthood staff and Crisis Pregnancy Center representatives. \nThe hosts dedicate the remainder of the show to discussing the sex topic of the day. At this time, listeners can call or instant message the station to express their feelings about topics that range from how drinking affects sexual performance and judgment to animal sex. \nBoth Baumgartner and Leach's parents support their children's decisions to host WIUSEX. Baumgartner said she is lucky to have a family that is open to talking about sex and that her parents have had discussions with her about sex since she was a child. Leach's parents enjoy WIUSEX so much they frequently send their son instant messages during the show and participate in the discussions. \n"Even my grandma listens," Leach said, "She is just proud I'm on the radio and happy just knowing my voice is on the air."\n-- Contact staff writer Lindsay Lyon at lrlyon@indiana.edu.