by: Ryan Moinazad
Even the LA rain wasn’t enough to dampen this year’s Sex After Dark event, presented by USC Student Health. Sex After Dark is an annual event that features student performances, student organizations, and resource tabling aimed at increasing sexual health literacy among the USC student body. This year’s event, held on Wednesday, October 21st, in McCarthy Quad, drew hundreds of students throughout the night.
Meet the Event Contributors!
The night started with a musical performance center stage by Sophia Jane Condon, an independent music artist and Popular Music Performance major at USC Thornton. Alongside the musical performances, several USC Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) spoke with attendees to offer education and resources.
The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA), an RSO committed to addressing health challenges of AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) communities, engaged participants in conversations surrounding reproductive health while also distributing sexual health kits. Nalanie Wooton, a member of APAMSA and third year in Dornsife shared that members of the organization valued the opportunity to “get out into the community and...give back.”
Alongside APAMSA, representatives from the Student Assembly for Gender Empowerment (SAGE), ran a station with games and fun prizes that offered participants an accessible opportunity to learn more about reproductive health. SAGE works to uplift historically marginalized groups, spreading awareness about issues that impact these communities while platforming students and allowing them to be a voice for change. Athena Bautista, the Director of Special Projects for SAGE, shared that Sex Week allows “people our age rethink how we interact with sex and relationships,” through conversations with fellow students.
Importance of Being Open
For attendees like Devan Walker, a sophomore in the School of Cinematic Arts, the first step to having those conversations is breaking the silence. “People need to know that it’s okay to talk about sex,” Walker said.
In promoting open conversation, Sex After Dark, and Sex Week as a whole, aim to give students the tools and confidence to engage in difficult but important conversations that impact their health and wellbeing.
Following Condon’s performance, the event featured performances by three drag performers who were also USC students: Eppie-Nephrine, Caryotype, and Miranda Rights. The drag show, organized by the Queer and Allied Student Assembly (QUASA), provided an opportunity for students to engage with an art form that has long celebrated self-expression and served as a cornerstone of queer culture and community. QUASA, an assembly within the Undergraduate Student Government, works to organize and improve programming on campus aimed at building community among LGBTQIA+ students. When asked about the importance of Sex Week for USC students, Eppie-Nephrine, a third year in Viterbi, said
“Talking about sex is something that’s often very taboo, but it’s a part of college that everyone knows exists, so I think bringing awareness to certain issues...that sex brings is really important for our students.”
Bridging Student Health with Campus Communities
As the night went on, attendees continued to explore the various resources available through USC Student Health, as well as learn more about reproductive health through conversations with peers and staff. In addition to the free snacks and entertainment, students also had an opportunity to explore a sensory crafts station and play trivia. Sex After Dark featured a collaboration between USC Student Health, USG, and the individual students and RSOs that helped put on the event.
When asked about the importance of incorporating student organizations in programming events like Sex Week, Andrew Cardenas, one of the Sex Week RSO Liaisons, shared “RSOs are a big part of our community here on campus, especially the affinity group RSOs.” Engaging students and RSOs representing diverse backgrounds helped build a bridge between USC Student Health and communities across campus.
Sex After Dark concluded with a performance by the Trojan Men, an acapella group on campus. Although Sex Week has ended, USC Student Health and the resources offered by the University are always available to students. Whether you have questions about PrEP, contraception, or other aspects of sexual health, USC Student Health is here for accessible and confidential support year-round. To speak to an Advice Nurse or schedule an appointment, call 213-740-9355 (WELL), available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Additional Resources at USC:
USC Student Health: Information about medical care, counseling, mental health, and other health and well-being services.
24/7 Contact Center: Call 213-740-9355 (WELL) anytime to ask questions, schedule appointments, or connect with support.
MySHR: USC Student Health’s secure portal for scheduling appointments, booking workshops, and communicating with health care providers.
CARE-SC: Confidential support, advocacy, and resources for students navigating concerns related to relationships, consent, or gender- and power-based harm.
