Johanson talks sex, lube and safety

By Grace Meiners

Published Feb. 15, 2008

One of the most common questions sex educator Sue Johanson receives is “Am I normal?”

After using words such as “bum sex” and gyrating onstage to prove her point, not many would refer to this 77-year-old as normal.

Johanson, along with certified sex therapist Marty Klein, addressed an array of sex topics to a sold-out audience at Jesse Auditorium on Thursday night at her “Talk Sex with Sue” event, which is part of her first-ever American tour.

Johanson, host of Canadian call-in television show “Talk Sex with Sue Johanson” and author of three books, made her way to MU to discuss topics most students’ parents probably wouldn’t.

“We’re going to fill in the gaps,” Johanson said. “We’re going to give you the information they did not give you in school.”

Johanson and Klein addressed topics including the differences in male and female sexuality, dispelled common myths and took anonymous questions from the audience.

Klein, the author of six books and 100 articles about sexuality, told the audience that attempting to climax with your partner is futile.

“Coming together is not necessarily all that good,” he said.

He said it is better for people to focus on their mate and enjoy the intimacy of sex.

Besides giving tips for more fulfilling sex, Klein and Johanson encouraged the practice of safer sex by using multiple forms of birth control. Klein called the condom an “amazing invention” and informed the audience of its proper use.

“Put condoms on like pantyhose,” he said, “not socks.”

One popular conception that Johanson said she would like to change is the “bigger is better” myth. She responded to this by informing the audience that the female vagina has nerve endings only in the bottom third portion, making any extra length unnecessary.

“What’s the point of a 12-inch schlong banging around with nobody home?” Johanson said.

The Department of Student Activities, Sexual Health Advocate Peer Education and the MU Student Health Center organized the event.

SHAPE Outreach Coordinator Ali Balzer said she hoped the open dialogue would allow students to feel more comfortable about their sexuality and their sexual health.

“If you don’t feel comfortable talking about sex, it’s hard to know where to look for the resources that are available for you,” she said.

DSA Speakers Committee Chairwoman Sarah Powers said she thought Johanson would be popular with a student crowd.

Powers stressed the importance of being able to talk openly about sex, especially with someone as well-received as Johanson.

“It helps to dialogue about sex,” Powers said. “There are so many falsities out there. She talked the truth.”

Johanson and Klein encouraged students to experiment and to figure out what they find pleasurable. Although she did not discourage it, Johanson referred to anal sex as a high-risk behavior that could lead to the transfer of sexually transmitted infections and anal abscesses.

But if one were interested in trying “bum sex,” Johanson encouraged students to use condoms and also a lot of lube.

“You’re going to need it,” she said.