Despite a major controversy the Sex Faire created in the past, this year's organizers are looking to keep it a positive event.

In 2001, organizer Womyn's Concerns planned to set up a consensual sex tent where students could have two minutes of consensual activity behind a curtain after learning about the legal aspects of consensual sex.

The event caused an uproar, particularly with a state legislator, but now, years later, Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA) is organizing a Sex Faire from 7 to 9 tonight.

The event, aimed at educating the college community, will include booths with information and activities about topics such as AIDS, HIV and STI, masturbation and others, according to event coordinator Caitlin Corr (junior-labor and industrial relations).

"Sometimes it's not enough for campuses to just promote safe sex. Sometimes you have to catch the students' attention and teach them the consequences of sex," Corr said.

FMLA had to go to the administration and present the event and all of the activities that were to be included in this year's Sex Faire and then have it approved, Corr added.

However, this did not lead to anything being left out of the event, she said.

During the hiatus, FMLA held a Feminist Fair, oriented toward the topic of feminism, Ashley Barr, communications chairwoman, said.

Corr said it is important to hold events like the Sex Faire on a college campus.

"Obviously there is a lot of sex on college campuses, especially in concentrated areas. When so many kids are jam-packed into one area, something is bound to happen," she said.

Barr said creating awareness of issues like sex, which many students participate in, is important.

Tonight's activities will include drawing certain ads in a non-sexual manner at the Sex in the Media booth, Corr said.

Other booth topics include genital mutilation, condom use and many more.

There will be a game played where only half of a sex toy or a baby toy is shown and the public has to guess which one it is.

"It's actually pretty hard," Barr said, laughing.

Barr encouraged students to participate in the activities, saying that none are too provocative or too embarrassing.

Corr said the Sex Faire is meant to be a fun learning experience with activities and games.

"It's a fun event and also educational," Corr said.