Planned Parenthood to promote ‘parts’ protection this week

Bob Barker probably never anticipated that “The Price Is Right” game Plinko would one day be applied to sexually-transmitted infections. \n“STI Plinko” is only one of the games that will be played at the Planned Parenthood “Protect All Your Body Parts This Spring Break” event held from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. today and Wednesday in various campus locations. \n“We’re handing out free sunscreen and free condoms,” said Larisa Niles-Carnes, a sexuality educator and educational trainer for Planned Parenthood. \nDoor prizes for games like STI Plinko, Sexual Jeopardy and STI Rubber Ducky Match-Up – which requires players to match a ducky with the name of an STI with a corresponding ducky featuring that STI’s symptoms – include black T-shirts featuring pictures of colored condoms that read “Safe Sex in the City.” There will also be gift certificates for Soma and Laughing Planet and bagel tokens for Bloomington Bagel Co. A jar full of condoms will also be given to the individual who guesses the number of condoms in it.\nRubber Ducky Match-Up and the condom jar will be at the literature desk in the Indiana Memorial Union both days. Plinko and Jeopardy will be set up in Dunn Meadow if weather conditions permit; otherwise, those games will be in the IMU Tuesday and on the ground floor of Ballantine Hall Wednesday.\nNiles-Carnes said she is excited for “Protect All Your Body Parts this Spring Break” for several reasons.\n“This is an event that’s very fun and interactive and also a way to learn,” she said.\nStudents who don’t plan to have sex over spring break can still join in the fun.\n“They’re still more than welcome to come to our booth,” Niles-Carnes said. “They can provide those condoms to their friends” and keep the sunscreen for their own use.\nGraduate student and Planned Parenthood peer educator Emily Forsyth agreed. \n“Even if you don’t use them, someone else will,” she said. “It’s better to have it on you than have to run out (and get it).”\nNiles-Carnes also said that spring break can bring up unanticipated situations, so Planned Parenthood tries to help students prepare for the unexpected.\n“We’re raising awareness so they’re kind of thinking ahead,” Forsyth said.\nBoth educators said they recommend that students always check the manufacture and expiration dates on condoms, particularly when purchasing them. These dates are printed both on the box and on the condom wrappers. Condoms should be stored in a cool, dry place, they said, so if someone keeps a condom in their pocket or wallet, he or she should remove them while at home to preserve them. \nPlanned Parenthood will also be giving out free emergency contraceptive – known as Plan B or the morning-after pill – from the health center on South College Avenue starting at 10:30 a.m. today while supplies last. They will distribute 50 doses on a first-come, first-served basis.