RICHMOND — A sex-education fair sponsored by a pro-choice group went on as planned yesterday at George Mason University, despite conservative lawmakers’ opposition to the event.
The so-called Sextravaganza at the Fairfax campus featured about 15 groups handing out information about topics such as prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, sexual assault, health examinations and sexual abstinence.
Six Republican lawmakers in Northern Virginia questioned the public university’s decision to allow the event, sponsored by Pro-Choice Patriots, and complained that money from student fees was used to cover its costs.
“We are at a loss to understand how this activity is compatible with the GMU mission statement,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter yesterday to George Mason President Alan G. Merten.
It was signed by state Sen. Kenneth Thomas Cuccinelli II and Delegates Robert G. Marshall, Richard H. Black, L. Scott Lingamfelter, Mark L. Cole and Jeffrey M. Frederick.
Pro-Choice Patriots President Amanda Agan said she was baffled by the lawmakers’ reaction. She and others drew comparisons to opposition to “Fahrenheit 9/11” filmmaker Michael Moore’s planned appearance last fall, which was canceled after Mr. Black and Mr. Marshall protested Mr. Moore’s speaking fees.
“We were really shocked, actually,” said Miss Agan, who speculated that the legislators spoke out against Sextravaganza because they oppose sex education. “To be honest, it seems to be that they were trying to find something to be upset about with the event.”
Miss Agan said her group received $350 for the semester from George Mason’s student funding board. Her group used some of the money to advertise Sextravaganza, “but none for the event itself.”
“All the organizations have come for free with their own materials,” she said.
Participating groups spanned the ideological spectrum, as Campus Catholic Ministries and GMU Students for Life put up displays next to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and NARAL Pro-Choice America.
George Mason spokesman Daniel Walsch said all student groups must present a proposed academic-year budget to the student activities board, which then allocates money to each group.
“We feel they have done a great job at organizing this event in an inclusive way,” Mr. Walsch said of Pro-Choice Patriots. “They were very responsible.”
The lawmakers also complained about the university’s granting the group “permission to distribute aphrodisiacs” at the event.
“It was supposed to be something funny — strawberries, oyster crackers, food alleged to be aphrodisiacs. Chocolate,” Miss Agan said. “It’s just food, basically, just trying to draw people in.”
In a phone interview yesterday, Mr. Marshall said he failed to find the humor in the aphrodisiac “come-on,” as he called it, and added that the event was just “a cover for propaganda.”
“Is there anybody who gets into college who is ignorant about sex? You can’t walk down the aisle of a grocery store without seeing condoms and jelly for diaphragms,” Mr. Marshall said. “I defy anyone to tell me they don’t know what … sex is about.”
University officials don’t plan to respond to the legislators, unless they call Mr. Merten directly, Mr. Walsch said. “We have nothing to say. We support what the students have organized and have been pleased with how this has turned out.”
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