Today, UCLA celebrates its second annual Sexual Health Awareness and Gender Day, or SHAG’d, hosted by the undergraduate student government.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Bruin Plaza, clinicians from the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center and representatives from outside organizations such as the Westside Family Health Center and Queers for Public Health will be available to answer questions regarding sexual health and gender identities.
“We wanted to host an event that allows for a fun, open dialogue among students and experts about gender identities and safe sexual practices,” said Matt Spring, a USAC general representative. Spring’s office is hosting the event.
Students, faculty and staff will also have the opportunity to get tested for HIV. The test is completely free and confidential and takes about 20 minutes for results to come in. Those who decide to get tested will receive a free lunch.
Last year, 25 people were tested, out of the 300 to 500 people who attended, said Joshua Rusow, director of social justice for Spring’s office.
Attendees can also participate in sexual health games and win prizes such as condoms, candy and sex toys.
Rusow, a fourth-year psychology student, said he hopes the event will help students learn more about safe sexual practices and gender issues.
“We want to make sure that all students, LGBT or straight, sexually active or not, are able to make educated, informed decisions about their sexual health,” Rusow said.