Jay Friedman knows sex -- he's not only an internationally known sex educator, but he's not afraid to tell the world the things he knows about the subject.
At 7:30 p.m., tonight, in Woodward Hall, Friedman will share his wealth of sexual knowledge with UNM in his lecture titled "The J-Spot, A Sex Educator Tells All." The lecture is part of a six-day run of events sponsored by Student Special Events.
In an interview with the Daily Lobo, Friedman gave some hints about all the naughty details he will delve into in his lecture that is just in time for Valentine's Day.
Daily Lobo: Why do you call it a "lecture performance"?
Jay Friedman: People are sometimes afraid that a sex lecture will be boring or preachy.
That's why I call mine a lecture performance instead. It's far from a doom-and-gloom podium speech. Instead, participants will find it to be funny, thought provoking and hopefully challenging.
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DL: Why should students attend?
JF: Because everybody's doing it! Oh, there's a peer pressure line from the good ol' days. Actually, it's a fun event. As a student at one school once said, "It's the best hour I ever spent during my four years on campus."
DL: How does Jay Friedman know how to be a better lover?
JF: Hours and hours of practice . . . I mean training. I've been a certified sex educator for years, which means I live, eat and breathe this stuff all the time. And I love working with college students! In fact, I was the head of Cornell University's male sexuality peer education program, titled "How to Be a Better Lover."
DL: Have you ever been questioned by the IRS about "toys" you deduct as a business expense?
JF: No, but more and more, I'm getting funny looks from the airport security people who inspect my luggage.
DL: What can students expect from the J-Spot?
JF: A great investment of their time, lots of laughs and hopefully, great conversations afterward. Mixing in with important information about how to have great relationships and a healthy sex life. Students will see how sex and sex ed in the U.S. compares to other countries, learn about the mysteriously missing sexual organ, find out if men really explode if they don't have sex and see the most amazing condom that never made it to the market.
DL: Is this your first time in New Mexico?
JF: It's my first time to UNM since 1996. I'm in the middle of a little tour of New Mexico. UNM is in the middle of lectures at New Mexico State University and College of Santa Fe.
DL: Can we get a sample of the sexual taboos you will be going into Wednesday night?
JF: Basically, I'm helping everyone overcome the taboo in talking about sex.
Which, in turn, helps us overcome sexual ignorance.
DL: Will your show give tips to use on Valentine's Day?
JF: Hopefully for Valentine's Day and lots of other days, too! Pineapple, silk and the best exercise -- you can bet I'll talk about at least one of those topics!
DL: What's the sexiest part of the body?
JF: Hmm. that can vary, but inevitably, it's often the mind.
DL: What's a question your lecture won't answer?
JF: Why isn't there such a thing as male lingerie? I love hearing how people answer that question.
