Comfort zones were challenged last Thursday when Sex Ed Boot Camp came to UND.

Sexologists Joni Frater and Esther Lastique brought their touring lecture to a crowd of students at the Memorial Union, speaking on topics of safe sex, healthy relationships and sexual self-empowerment.

The presentation, entitled ‘Take Care of Your Privates,’ began with Frater and Lastique asking the audience whether or not they believe they were properly taught about sex by a trusted source, such as a parent.

Lastique noted only five percent of hands in the room were raised. The audience was then polled about its various sources of sex education. Answers varied from friends, to “self-help” magazines such as “Cosmopolitan” to porn.

“In a world where sex can expose you to deadly diseases, students need to be armed with the most current information on preventing the spread of diseases, unplanned pregnancy and unwanted sexual advances,” the Boot Camp’s website states.

Whether a student is abstinent, in a monogamous relationship or enjoying casual hook-ups, sexual health and safety should always be a top priority, according to Frater and Lastique. The presentation was inclusive of all sexualities, and made a point to address that all stages of sexual preference and experience are OK.

Myths were broken down and facts were analyzed in an up-close-and-personal visual slideshow that left little to the imagination.

Frater and Lastique delivered a sassy, humorous back-and-forth that kept the audience engaged and laughing along the way.

Frater and Lastique’s interactive presentation has been given nationwide, UND, just one stop in a tour. The pair has been at it for 11 years and has also co-authored the book “Love Her Right.”

They also have been featured sex experts on several television and radio shows and in magazines such as “Cosmopolitan” and “Men’s Health UK.”

Anne Bodensteiner, health & wellness promotion coordinator at UND, helped organize the event.

According to Bodensteiner, a recent survey taken at UND showed condom usage among students is much lower than it was two years ago. She is hoping to raise awareness about the use of condoms and safe sex in order to eventually get those numbers up.

In bringing Frater and Lastique to UND, Bodensteiner invites students to open up the conversation about sex on campus.

“Sexual health and sex is a really big part of people’s lives,” Bodenstein  said. “And nobody talks about it.”

She notes the stigma behind talking about sex with potential partners. Contraceptives and STIs can be awkward subjects, but are necessary to address.

“I hope students take away how to talk to their partners about sex, how to protect themselves and be comfortable where they are in their sexual lives,” Bodensteiner said.

Serianna Henkel is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected].