Staffed by nurses, educators and volunteers, OPT's interactive display booth will be open from 10 am to 3 am every day during the festival and is supplying condoms, lubricant and other materials so that attendees can create their own "safer sex kits". The OPT booth will also be the sole distribution point for Plan B emergency contraception there. Available for $15 from OPT, Plan B can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse or if a condom breaks.
Attendees are asked to keep an eye out throughout the festival grounds for the "Condom Roadies", roaming teams of OPT volunteers armed with tool belts of safer sex supplies. But in addition to the 10,000 condoms and lubricant being provided by OPT, education on safer sex practices and other aspects of sexual health is an important part of OPT's role at the festival. OPT educators will be holding daily workshops for teens, parents and other adults, and festival goers are invited to try to stump the Sexpert with their most pressing sexuality questions at OPT's "Ask the Sexpert" booth.
"We hope that everyone brings more than sunscreen as protection and stays well lubricated in those areas that rarely see the light of day," says Kristen Gilbert, an OPT sexual health educator and volunteer during the festival.
Jokes aside, surveys of those who have attended similar music festivals have found that sexual activity is a large part of the lineup for attendees, with Friday night being when the majority of sexual activity occurs. And while many of those attending will likely be prepared for any eventuality in which they might find themselves, for those who aren't, OPT will be at Pemberton Festival to ensure that attendees aren't coming home with something a lot less desirable than a festival wrist band.
Members of the media are invited to visit the OPT display booth, located on the main festival grounds, throughout the Pemberton Festival. Interviews are available prior to, and during, the festival.
For interviews or more information, please contact:
Jessica Peart or Stephanie Sersli
Co-Managers, Executive Services
Media line: 604-786-0725
http://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/media-centre
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