by Emy, Pro-Choice North Carolina Campus Leader

This past April, I was able to have my first in-person event on NC State’s campus, "Contraception and Cookies." I initially designed this event in hopes of piquing students' interest in Pro-Choice NC while offering something college students are always interested in: free contraceptives. I knew that there would be some apprehension by individuals walking by, but what I did not expect was just how uncomfortable the majority of the student population was with just speaking about sex.

"Contraception and Cookies" took place in Wolf Plaza, open to all and any individuals walking by. The table included various forms of contraception (such as emergency contraception and condoms), many flavors of cookies, and an array of informative materials and merchandise. We encouraged each person who stopped to take as much as they may want or need, and worked to engage with each person. While the event was largely intended to create a space to engage with the campus population, we made sure that each student who stopped by was informed about reproductive health care and abortion access.

The event was decently successful, and while we didn't have the largest turnout, we definitely had a good amount of engagement. I hope to continue with "Contraception and Cookies" in the upcoming fall semester to work toward establishing a presence of Pro-Choice North Carolina on NC State’s campus. With these events, I also hope to work toward the destigmatization of talking about sex, and, in turn, reproductive health care. By creating open, judgment-free, and information-based spaces like "Contraception and Cookies," I hope to foster a more informed, empowered, and sex-positive culture that students maintain far past their time at NC State.