The condom race is back.
Blindfolded students will compete to correctly put a condom on a plastic penis Wednesday at the Reitz Union North Lawn.
The condom race is one of several games and services available to students as part of "Sex on the Lawn," an event put on by Vox: Voices for Planned Parenthood from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"Sex on the Lawn" is an open environment that provides students with information to help them make healthy choices, said Katelyn Milliman, president of Vox.
When it comes to condoms, there is technical and social ignorance, Milliman said.
She said certain stereotypes and stigmas prevent some people from using them.
Vox promotes condoms as a good contraceptive choice because they are the cheapest type available to students that prevent pregnancy and protect users from sexually transmitted infections, she said.
Pansy Uberoi, secretary of Vox, said participants are blindfolded during the condom race because condoms are often used at night.
If people can put a condom on correctly while blindfolded, then they should be able to do so in any real-life situation, she said.
The organization has more than 2,500 condoms to give out this semester, and free condoms will be an added bonus to the other activities, she said.
Voxipedia, a game featuring a life-sized board similar in appearance to Twister, will have participants run to the blocks of colors when symptoms are called out that correspond to the correct STI.
A Planned Parenthood representative will also be present to answer student questions about safe sex and sexual health.
HIV testing will be free to students at the event, as well. Milliman said students don't need to be sexually active to enjoy the event.
"Abstinence is where people start," she said, "but not where people end."
Sex education and safe-sex information are important for everyone at some point in their lives, she said.
Milliman said she expects about 200 students to stop by throughout the day.
