The Gender Diversity Coalition provides a safe and comfortable place to talk about sex. For Women’s History and Awareness Month, the coalition is hosting “Let’s Talk About Sex,” a panel presentation and open discussion for students at 7 p.m. today in the Coleman Hall Auditorium.

Rebecca Rowe, president of the coalition, said its members will pose questions for the audience to consider and discuss. “People will be able to voice their opinion about certain topics, as well as hear the opinions of others,” Rowe said.

There will also be an opportunity for the audience to anonymously ask questions about things they may have no one to ask or do not have the courage to ask out loud.

“We are hoping to have a representative from the Health Education Resource Center there to answer any questions we may not be able to, as well as counseling information if anyone needs further answers or someone to talk to,” Rowe said.

Tara Crawford, vice president of the group, came up with the idea as a way for people to discuss things they might not have a chance to discuss otherwise.

Jeannie Ludlow, women’s studies coordinator and English professor, said she will not be attending the event, nor will any other faculty members.

“The idea was to make this a space for open and honest discussion among students, with no faculty present as ‘experts’ or ‘authority figures,'” Ludlow said.

Rowe said she is hoping the lack of professors will allow for a comfortable, pressure-free environment for students to have a conversation about things they really care about.

“This event is a part of WHAM because we will be talking about gender and sex-related issues many of us are faced with on a daily basis, but have perhaps never given much thought to,” Rowe said.

Ashley Holstrom can be reached at 581-7942 or at alholstrom@eiu.edu.