S!H!S!P! We teach medical students about the birds and the bees!!

That's right- There's a cheer (Thanks to the co-coordinator, Perry Tsai!)  because it's just that exciting. 

It is always exciting when I know on Monday what I'm going to be writing about on Wednesday because something or someone so kick-ass has come across my path.  This week I was privileged to take part in a leadership meeting of the American Medical Student Association's (AMSA) Sexual Health Scholars Program (SHSP).  Pumpernickle and Donkey of the ScrewSmart triumvirate have taken on the role of facilitator coordinator for this program which takes medical students from ALL over the world and leads them through a year long, in depth training about sexuality issues. 

This program was started by 2 bad-ass, smart-as-shit, fantastic women- Shannon O'Hern and Rebecca Bak.  I didn't really understand the context of how amazing it was that they started this incredible program out of a simple idea and dream- until I heard the story at our meeting on Monday.  They saw that there is a huge lack of sexuality education in medical schools and wanted to do something about it as current med students themselves.  So they made a dream a reality and birthed (through force of effort, and with unbelievable amounts of energy) an entire national program which addressed this dire need. 

Just a little FYI- more people go to medical providers about sexuality issues than they do to sexuality professionals.  Makes sense to me- most people see a doctor, but not that many people know that there are professionals who focus specifically on sexuality issues.  Also! About 1/3 of all adults will experience sexual problems...so that's A LOT of people going to their doctors with questions about sex.  But! Most medical students receive less than 10 hours of training in sexuality related issues while in medical school...Yikes!!

So hopefully I've (in an abridged form) established that this program is VERY needed and VERY important.  But...let me tell you why I (as a sex-nerd) love this program soooo much.  Instead of just giving a survey course about the breadth and depth of different sexuality identities and behaviors that exist out there in the world- this program allows participants to practice clinical skills they will use with their patients.  These skills help them to provide care to their patients that is individually geared, respectful of diversity, free of judgement, and non-assumptive.  

Imagine walking into your doctor's office and knowing that regardless of your sexual orientation, gender identity, or sexual behavior practices or preferences- you will be treated by someone who is respectful and knowledgable about these issues.  You could ask questions, receive educational resources, and leave feeling prepared to take good care of yourself. 

Want that?  We here at ScrewSmart do too- That's why we're working to support and improve the program this year.  Are you a medical student?  Apply!!  Know someone that is- get them involved!

Just wanna show some love?  Comment below!

That's all from this weary but excited Screw.

Love!

Donkey

The Power of Consistency and Excitement About Something New!!

A Dabbling Adventure of Grand Proportion.

This Monday evening, one of the first gorgeous warm spring evenings of the season, I went on outreach with a dear friend, Kahndre 3000, from Project SAFE.  Do you guys know Project SAFE?  Go...go look them up, I'll wait.... Now...let me tell you my view on this group and why they win the Wack Off Wednesday Superhero Award  (yeah, I just made that up...but I'm pretty sure Annie Sprinkle, and Megan Andelloux have also won..)

Project SAFE is (as far as I know from casual convos with Kahndeleeza Rice) one of the only organizations that meets women where they live, work, and need services in ALL of Philadelphia.  They do this by bringing bags full of condoms, anti-septic wipes, tampons, bandaids, sterile wipes that are alcohol free (better for coochies, important Safer Sex item), resources, and bad date sheets to the sex work/heroine capital of Philly.  They then have about 1 interaction every 45 seconds with people who recognize them, depend on them, trust them, and seek them out on the street.  Who are these people?  They're....young, old, black, white, latino,  drug users, sex workers, men, women (though only women get most of those supplies), assault victims, community leaders, gay, straight, parents ...etc...).  They approached or talked to us because they recognized us.  They recognized us because someone from Project SAFE has been doing outreach and bringing non-judgemental support and care to their community for.... I think about 8 years?  A few times a week, every week, all year, for 8 years.  This means that Project SAFE has invested in this program for long enough to build relationships of trust and mutual respect.   

It's invaluable, irreplaceable, and intense to witness.  

Within 2 minutes of getting out of our car we were taking a report down to add to the Bad Date Sheet.  A woman who had never seen us (the individuals), but recognized we were Project SAFE workers- immediately started telling us about her experience while she was on a date (turning a trick?  I am clearly not someone who knows the correct language for this..).  She had been working when she got beaten, robbed, and strangled.  This was just another day in the office, was what I understood from her tone of voice.  But she was forceful in her desire to put this experience on the bad date sheet - the communities way of communicating with each other for greater common safety.  This was an opportunity for her to tell her story.  It is so important.  

Dear Project SAFE - You're important and I hope people recognize that.

Sooo...What's new and Exciting??!?  Why the Philadelphia Slut Walk...of course!  I add this to the end of this intense and sobering post because there are a million different ways to let people know that sexual assault is never ok.  It's not ok if the person's a slut, dressed provocatively, or a sex worker.  It's never ok.  The event is gonna be packed, and the more people's voices that join together the more people realize that this is an issue, and we should do something about it.

Plus- maybe the SlutWalk wants to talk to Project SAFE? Who knows...

love!

An-eating-a-sobering-amounting-of-humble-pie,-realizing-how-much-there-is-to-do-Donkey.