Kinsey displays sexual artwork

Stinging bees and pecking birds do not make babies, unless the two mate under the bed sheets without using any form of prophylactic or contraceptive.\nFor students wishing to learn about sex, to hear about sex, to think about sex or to see an exhibit focused on a specific sexual theme, IU's Kinsey Institute is displaying a "Sex Ed" exhibit from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today in its gallery at Morrison Hall. According to an IU press release, the exhibit will examine the "dissemination of information" about sex, reproduction and health over the past several centuries.\nAnyone interested in attending this event should call to make reservations at 855-7686.\nGarry Milius, assistant curator at the Kinsey Institute, said the institute and its shows attempt to frame sexuality from a scholarly perspective. \n"It's always good to look at how things were approached during different time periods," Milius said. "As a student, I think it's a mission to expand your thinking -- open yourself up to new ideas -- to think about things. There are several different interesting things, depending on your preference."\nMilius said the exhibit will include various film memorabilia, fetal development models, illustrated 19th century books on anti-masturbation, copies of the Kama Sutra, marriage materials and condoms of all shapes, colors and sizes to name a few.\nKelly E. McBride, a sexuality educator and trainer for Planned Parenthood, said she thinks most Americans believe responsible sex education is important. \n"When teens are given honest information, they make healthier choices," McBride said. "Planned Parenthood believes parents are the primary sexuality educators of their children; they want to be the main source. Most parents won't help."\nHaving heard the birds and bees lecture as a fifth grader, freshman Joni Bloehs said her school framed sexuality dialogues around abstinence-grounded ideologies -- "nothing too detailed."\n"I wish there were more programs set up for students that were more accessible -- like what Planned Parenthood is doing -- in case you get pregnant or need someone to talk to," Bloehs said. "I think sex education needs to be stepped up a little bit, taken more seriously. Schools just talk about it; they need to follow through."\nMcBride said different groups of people have different sexual needs at different stages of life. \n"Abstinence only programs are often dishonest and harmful," McBride said. "A lot of times teens say 'adults tell them too little too late.' If you look at all high school students nationally, approximately 50 percent have already had sex. Abusive relationships, unintended teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and HIV are still problems for teenagers."\nHaving taken a course on sexual education at IU, junior Denecia Warfield said some people have a invincible attitude of "this can't happen to me."\n"People get themselves in situations they can't get themselves out of," Warfield said. "So people either get a sexually transmitted disease, or AIDS, or something happens to their body. I think the human sexuality class should be taught to all freshman, maybe they could have programs on campus to educate students about sex issues." \nReminding students there is no such thing as safe sex, McBride said the way a person's body looks is less important than what a person's body can do. \n"Schools can help by giving all students a balanced approach -- teach abstinence along with facts about relationships, reproductive health and risk reduction," McBride said. "I call this comprehensive sexuality education -- help for the individual above and below the waist."\n--Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.