When you hear the phrase “sexpo” your mind might jump to the idea of something more along the lines of an organized orgy. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the UVic sexpo wasn’t quite that. On March 16th, UVIC GEM held the sexpo with help from UVIC PRIDE, The SSD, NSU, AVP, and VSS. This all-day event featured free workshops, panels, vendors, and performances centred around informed and empowered sexual expression and sexual health! HerCampus UVIC went to check it out and had a blast. Here’s how our time at the sexpo went!
The HerCampus reps:
Kem (second-year psych major) and Ali (second-year English major).
The first event of the day was the table fair, held in the Michèle Pujol room. When we arrived at the sexpo, held in the SUB, we had our vaccine passports and ID’s checked (the event was 18+). As we entered the room, we were given goodie bags (yay for free stuff!!), and inside there was a variety of condoms, lube, coupons, pamphlets, stickers, and our favourite: penis straws. We were also entered into a raffle for a variety of goodies (we sadly did not win).
The room was full of vendors from different on and off campus organizations. Among the vendors were local artists, representatives from different clubs, sexual wellness educators, and businesses. There was even a booth that was selling various sex toys and supplies. Sexual empowerment is so important, and unfortunately, topics like masturbation and the orgasm gap are still stigmatized. By providing a way for students to purchase and explore sexual wellness resources in a way where they are supported and empowered was huge win in our eyes! The representatives from the Romance Shop (a local sex store) were there to offer any help needed. Other than things like sex toys, the vendors also sold gender affirming accesories, pins, stickers, and other fun things!
The event was definitely a great way for the UVic community to come together and celebrate sexual wellness and education. After the vendor fair, there was a plethora of events. Whilst we sadly could not attend due to other commitments, the sexpo had a variety of informative and fun talks, educational sessions, and social events. Some of these included an Intro to BSDM workshop held by somatic sex eduactor, Noah Klöze, a intimacy workshop held by Sage Lecerte, and, of course, a fun after-party featuring drag, burlesque, and live music. Ultimately, the sexpo was an amazing way to explore all elements of sexuality, gender, body positivity, healthy relationships, kinks, and, of course, sex! We had a great time and cannot wait for next year’s fair.
For more information about this year’s sexpo and for more resources offered by the Uvic GEM you can check them out at https://uvss.ca/events-archive/gem-sexpo/ and https://www.instagram.com/uvicgem/