University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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the wild tninq eveiujbodq s doinq it AIDS sex onc-niqnt stands condoms layout and stoptj bi| emma cartwriqht Peter Nielsen Hooking up, getting some, or scoring no matter what it was called, students had sex. Yet, complicated issues surrounded sex. Not only was there the chance of unplanned pregnancy, but there was also the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. It was no longer simply a question of whether or not to have sex. Rather, one was forced to evaluate the risks. An anonymous LSA sophomore echoed the senti- ments of many: Screw the diseases, the sex just feels so good. While the sex may have felt good, sexually active students were still candidates for sexually transmitted diseases. According to University Health Services (UHS) statistics, 875 students were tested for sexually transmitted diseases in 1995. UHS reported 11 cases of gonorrhea, 96 cases of genital herpes, three cases of syphilis, and 187 cases of genital warts. In an effort to minimize the rate at which these diseases were spread, UHS offered free condoms, up to five a day, for students ' use. Even though college was stereotyped as a place of frequent, promiscuous sex, not all students were sexually active. UHS worker Polly Paulson stressed, It ' s important to realize that not every- one is having sex. In a recent study of students living in the residence halls, UHS officials found that only about 50% of students were sexually active within the last six months. Many students decided to wait to have sex. Some waited for religious reasons, others for the right person, and others simply hadn ' t had the opportunity. I ' m not against premarital sex, but I ' m not for promiscuous sex. either. said one University sophomore. Health risks aside, finding a place to have sex wasn ' t easy. In both the residence halls and in olT- campus housing, students had to deal with room- mates and neighbors. A first-year student stated. The walls were very thin. The girl next door to me got written up by our RA because she and her boyfriend made too much noise. Many students had stories about walking in on their roommate having sex, or waking up and hearing their room- mate having sex. Relating an embarrassing experience, one sophomore said. My freshman year, I lived in the dorms and my girlfriend was up for the weekend. All of the sudden I heard the door open and my roommate walked right in on us. Peter Nielsen unplanned pregnancies and I K irth 1 ually transmitted diseases, condoms are readil avail -nversity students. Condoms 101. Shaman Drum, and Un [ H HS limit of five condoms per day perstuaern ptik, tht: contraception of choice, are available to tad of le to female students though Univerisly Health Sen-ices at a discounted rsit price of$l 1 a month. To qualify to receive pills through UHS. women fS set had to both view a video explaining other birth control methods and be examined by a doctor. Sex + 17

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Confide Confide The prevalence of HIV was evident with the release of a new home HIV test kit. The Confide test was released in late summer 1996. To conduct the test, a person provided a blood sample by pricking a finger with the provided lancet. The sample was then sent away to a lab. In six weeks one could call with an individual confidential identification number and receive the test results. Although the test offered a more confidential way to be tested for HIV, the home test did raise serious concerns. I think it is scary that HIV has become so common that there is a home test, worried one University student. In addition to the Confide test, University Health Services (UHS) of- fered confidential HIV testing. UHS tested about 1200 students and faculty for the HIV virus. About .......B. six percent tested positive, or approximately seven people. This, of course, only reflected tests at UHS. Many decided to go to private clinics or a family doctor. In a survey of 20,000 students at 20 universities around the United States, it was found that approximately one in 500 students were HIV positive. There was progress in treating HIV. The most frequently used method was a combination of three drugs including AZT. The combination of these drugs greatly reduced the spread of the virus to other cells. This cocktail was both costly and the side effects were extremely unpleasant. Despite the intensity of treatment and the side effects, students were able to cope with the disease. It ' s important that people realize I am not dying of AIDS I am living with it, said one infected student. + W. gay couple, proclaim these men , -luIe standing on the steps of the Graduate Library during National Coming Out Da . Approximately 200 students gathered in the Diag to witness this annual event. The day urged gays and lesbians to reveal their sexualitv to their friends and ciworkers. 1 KV - g : v ' - diking hand and hand, a couple strolls through the Arboretum in early fall. Students at the University had to confront issues ahoiit relationships and sex. Despite the perceived notion that all students were having se filfjjJ decided to wait. 16 + Sex Peter Niels

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m uzanne Sauser tattoos a client at her tattoo parlor on East Liberty. Sauser was cautious to use latex gloves and properly sterilize her equipment to avoid the possibility of infection. Transmission of HIV and Hepatitis B were potential health hazards of getting a tattoo. toos and Body Pierci