Students can stop by Coleman Hall and pick up condoms as members of EIU FEM distribute over one thousand of them to the campus.

EIU FEM will be giving out the form of birth control 11 a.m. Tuesday outside of Coleman.

The organization brainstormed the idea of giving out condoms to campus as a way to promote safe sex at a meeting.

Dana Gilbertsen, the president of EIU FEM, said condoms were the easiest method to spread the word about practicing safe sex.

She said condoms are the most cost efficient form of contraceptives, so they were able to buy them in bulk and give them out for free.

“In this situation, there is no excuse to not have safe sex,” Gilbertsen said. “We are literally giving you what you need in order to have safe sex and that is, I think, reason enough.”

Because EIU FEM usually discusses topics on sexual assault, domestic violence and consent Gilbertsen said they wanted to flip the script and offer an opportunity for people on campus to have a sex positive event, where they can gain access to a contraceptive and talk about safe sex.

Maya Lee, the secretary of EIU FEM, said the Health Education Resource Center usually does a similar thing through the Rubber Lovers program but people are required to pay for the condoms they get.

“Not everyone can pay a fee, and you still deserve to have access to protection even if you aren’t financially capable of providing it,” Lee said.

Lee said the organization also felt that going and sitting in a lecture might deter people from going to Rubber Lovers.

“Having access to protection is very important. By handing out free condoms, we may be giving protection to people who aren’t capable of getting it themselves,” Lee said. “We’re helping the student body prevent the spread of STDs and even unwanted pregnancies.”

During the distribution of condoms, the organization will also give out handouts about safe sex that will be Gender and Sexual Minorities inclusive. They will also discuss the importance of consent when it comes to sexual activity.

“Consent and GSM inclusion are very important because they are areas that are often overlooked when discussing this topic,” Lee said. “That’s why our (organization) wants to draw attention to them. We will be spreading awareness on the campus.”

This is the first time EIU FEM has done a program like this, Lee said. She said they are looking to send out a positive message about how vital consensual and safe sex is. She said the event was designed for the people of campus, and she hopes people are enthusiastic and receptive.

The program will be until 6 p.m.

T’Nerra Butler can be reached at 581-2812 or tabutler@eiu.edu