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YouTube personality Laci Green talks safe sex, education

YouTube sensation Laci Green speaks at Best Sex Ever, a safe sex talk at Jacob Sleeper Auditorium Thursday night. PHOTO BY OLEG TEPLYUK
YouTube sensation Laci Green speaks at Best Sex Ever, a safe sex talk at Jacob Sleeper Auditorium Thursday night. PHOTO BY OLEG TEPLYUK/DAILY FREE PRESS STAFF

YouTube personality and San Francisco-based sex education activist Laci Green, in conjunction with the Wellness and Prevention Services at Boston University’s Student Health Services, hosted an event called “Best Sex Ever!” in the Jacob Sleeper Auditorium Thursday night to emphasize the importance of creating conversation around sexual education and safe sex on college campuses.

As part of Student Health Services’ “Frisky February” campaign, Green, whose YouTube channel has over 1 million subscribers and whose work has been featured on MTV and The Huffington Post, presented a PowerPoint containing graphics and photographs consisting of light-hearted memes and more serious information and photographs on genitals, sexually transmitted diseases and various forms of contraception.

Green, a 25-year-old University of California, Berkeley graduate, opened the presentation by stating that she aimed to create more conversation around sex, especially the things she wished she knew sooner. She urged to her audience of approximately 175 that “you don’t have to feel embarrassed or ashamed” about sex, emphasizing sexual exploration. The 90-minute presentation also included an “Open Condom Style” music video (a rendition of “Gangnam Style”), an interactive trivia game and a hands-on condom application demonstration.

“I talk a lot about sex,” Green said in her presentation. “You don’t need to make yourself super uncomfortable. Let go of the expectations.”

Green’s slides included graphic, close-up images, which she said was intentional.

“I like people being able to see what we’re talking about,” Green said. “Cartoons don’t do it justice.”

However, she said, “There are literally no pictures that are head-on of the average penis size [on Google],” adding to the conversation the role porn plays in students’ expectations of normalcy.

“What’s the average penis size?” she asked audience. “5.5 inches is average. Most high school students [are] under impression that 7 to 8 inches is average.”

Jess Sokol, an intern for Wellness and Prevention Services and a senior in the Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, said SHS worked with BU’s Dean of Students’ Office to get Green on campus.

“She is just an awesome, great example of talking about sex openly, and she talks about all different types of topics, from pleasure to consent,” she said. “We just thought she was eloquent and fun.”

Olivia Lutz, a senior in the College of Engineering and a member of BU’s Sexual Assault Response and Prevention Center, said she was excited to be able to see Green speak live.

“She is kind of an idol to us, and we thought it was a great deal that she was able to come and speak about the things that we are so passionate about,” she said. “I know that we were trying to get her, and I can’t believe we actually did.”

Raquelle Viteri, a sophomore in the College of Fine Arts, said the topic of Green’s presentation was an important one.

“People need to know what’s going on down there,” she said. “I like that BU has these events because they are really informative.”

Ivy Sanderfoot, a sophomore in CFA, said she liked the free-spirited nature of the discussion.

“It didn’t feel like there was any pressure, and it didn’t feel awkward,” she said. “Sometimes, when people try to plan sex talks, it is kind of stifling. But she also talked about the fun parts, which I think was different.”

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One Comment

  1. She’s 25 years old! That is so funny. Never trust anyone over 40 but never pay attention to anyone under 25!
    That means they don’t know anything. Please delete this post again like you have my last few posts!