Sex Faire is not all about generating controversy. The event aims to frankly educate students about sex-related issues, said Jennifer Elliott, co-director of Womyn's Concerns.

The purpose of the event is to give information about topics such as safe sex, rape and sexual consent, Elliott said.

"We don't want the controversy to overshadow the message," she said.

The event is in its fourth year and is co-sponsored by Womyn's Concerns and the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA).

"We want to educate the student body and show them that there are many resources on and off campus,"

Elliott said. "We also want to have an environment that is educational, fun and creative all in one, and give students a place where they can be comfortable talking about sex."

During the 2001 Sex Faire, controversy arose when former state Rep. John Lawless, D-Montgomery, then a Republican, came to protest the event. Later, he tried to remove some of Penn State's funding because the university allowed the faire to take place.

As a result, Penn State now requires groups requesting on-campus space to tell administrators when an event will be sexually explicit.

Shannon Robbins, co-director of Womyn's Concerns, said she does not expect any problems this year, unlike the year that Lawless attended.

"I just think people came and realized how blown out of proportion things got," she said.

Four one-hour workshops will be presented throughout the evening covering topics such as AIDS awareness and prevention, eating disorders' effects on sexuality, and consent and communication in sexual relationships.

Other participating organizations, including Planned Parenthood and Choice USA, will have information tables at the event.

Jahnna Harvey, FMLA president, said her organization continues to be involved in Sex Faire because sex education is important.

"It's good that things like this happen so people can learn things they don't necessarily think about," Harvey said. "We can tell them about how sex can be fun and safe."

The activities will also include games, such as orgasm bingo, and prizes, Robbins said.

At a table with information about consent, students will be asked to write what they think constitutes sexual consent. Elliott said once students understand the meaning, there will be two activities they can take participate in. One is an activity where partners use the same pen to draw a picture. The other will allow students to use body paint to write on each other's bodies. These activities are designed to promote communication about consent.

Sex Faire will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. tomorrow in the Waring Commons study lounge.