Rowan students were lined up out the door outside of Pfleeger Hall, all gathering for a chance to win free sex toys last Thursday.
On Feb. 5, at 7 p.m., Prism hosted its ninth annual Sex Toy Bingo, where they get sex toys from Fantasy Gifts for the bingo, play sex-themed mini games, have raffle prizes, and even host a costume competition.
Prism is a student-operated LGBTQIA+ organization on Rowan University Campus that promotes self-love, safe sex, and empowerment. They host their annual Sex Toy Bingo in order to promote safe sex and make the subject less of a taboo topic for students on campus.
“My favorite part is seeing people from all different backgrounds come together to be a community…we’re all supportive of each other … we’re here to promote safe sex and self-love is a huge thing about tonight,” said MacK Reilly, a 21-year-old marketing major and president of Prism.
Sex can be a very taboo topic, especially on a university campus where there’s a notion that it could be inappropriate to talk about it in a social setting. However, Prism normalizes talking about these topics in order to open up shame-free and informed conversations, which can go as far as promoting safety, health, and well-being.
There were numerous tables that included campus clubs and organizations set up outside of the theater that aligned with many of the messages of Prism. Some of these tables included Rowan Democrats, Young Democratic Socialists of America, and Rowan Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
“We are a political club open to people of all majors and all backgrounds — we focus on promoting the democratic party, educating others on different policy issues, and help students get more involved in politics … We thought this would be a great event to meet new people that may be open to our club and learning something new,” said Gianna DiGiovanni, a 22-year-old political science and sociology major as well as the co-president of Rowan Democrats.
Prism also works with the Trevor Project through this event, where 100% of the proceeds are sent to the Trevor Project from the event. The Trevor Project is the leading organization for suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit for LGBTQ+ people, providing information and support to LGBTQ+ young people all year round.
The event is sponsored by Fantasy Gifts, and the shop has been working with Prism ever since the bingo event first started. The business donates almost all of the prizes and sex toy gifts that can be won during the event.
“It’s such a fun event. I love the whole thing. They have something different every year,” said Bridget Fellona, a 20-year-old psychology major.
The stripper pole has famously been the grand prize at the event every year, being the most anticipated prize of the evening, as well as the gifts the audience can win from the mini games.
The event ended up raising over $1700, with people donating all night long to support Prism and the causes dear to them. Prism has created an event that is not only fun and entertaining, but also a place where they can spread awareness and connect with those on campus.
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