The Sexual Education and Peer Counselling Centre has teamed up with the Multi-Faith Centre, Hillel of Greater Toronto and the U of T Pagan Society. Now, what sort of event are you picturing?
The fruit of their collaboration is “Faith, Food & Fornication,” a panel discussion on the relationship between spirituality, sexuality and food this Tuesday from 4:45 to 6 p.m. at the Multi- Faith Centre.
According to Rachelle Pascoe- Deslauriers, SEC executive director, the talk is intended to show those who are already religious, as well as those who aren’t, that issues around sexuality can be questioned and explored.
“In establishing that this event is sexpositive, inclusive and multi-faith, we’re creating a safe environment to be able to discuss any issues—contentious or otherwise—as it relates to a relationship between spirituality and sex,” she said.
Panelists will include U of T Ecumenical Chaplain Reverend Ralph Carl Wushke, U of T Pagan Chaplain Catherine Starr, and Shabir Ally, president of the Islamic Information & Dawah Centre International Toronto.
Pascoe-Deslauriers said that the diversity of religions represented is an important aspect of the talk. “The panelists are from different faith-traditions, and I think that ‘contentious issues’ may not be the same across faith-traditions.”
Although the panelists will lead the discussion, the event is focused on student participation and questions.
“These are all expert people, but there’s no prescriptive solution,” Pascoe- Deslauriers said. The main goal is having a forum in which to talk about it,” she added.
There will also be strawberries and a chocolate fountain.
The rest of the lineup for Sexual Awareness Week features everything from a workshop on flirting to a “Hentai & Sushi” evening to the annual “Porn & Cookies” open house, where students are encouraged to eat freshly baked cookies, peruse a selection of pornography, and mingle in a relaxed environment. For more details, visit the SEC website at sec.sa.utoronto.ca.
