TAMPA – Sex is everywhere, especially when you’re a college student. It’s in advertisements. It’s at parties. It’s even in biology class.
However, it’s hard to find people on campus willing to speak the truth about sex: the gory, but common, consequences that can come with unprotected sex.
On Monday, March 29, the P.E.A.C.E Volunteer Center along with Youth Education Services will be providing free HIV and STI testing to The University of Tampa Students, says Tracy McNamara.
The testing will take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the second floor of Vaughn, rooms 217 and 221. Students will have the opportunity to be tested for HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Also on the Monday, the P.E.A.C.E Center along with Straight From the Heart will be holding an educational presentation on HIV and AIDS, states McNamara. The event will be held in Reeves Theatre and begins at 8 p.m.
Tracey Dannemiller, former speaker at the World AIDS Youth Summit, and her husband Timothy Dannemiller will be speaking and welcome students, faculty and staff to listen.
“You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll be inspired.” says McNamara.
The best part about this opportunity isn’t even that it’s free, but that it’s right on campus.
You have to go to class so why not to go to class so why not check up on your health on the way?
“Often people do not know where to go to get tested, so bringing it on campus allows those that wish to know their status the opportunity to do it very conveniently,” said McNamara.
Students may find it embarrassing for other students to know they are getting tested.
However, volunteers are there to make you feel as comfortable as possible.
McNamara states, “To students that are too embarrassed to get tested, I would say that [it] is completely understandable. Sex is a sensitive subject that most people want to keep between them and their partner(s). With that in mind, I would say you should still do it. It is your life and it is so important to make sure you live it for as long as you can.”