College sex writers to be honored

Attention all sex columnists and sexuality beat writers! If you've gotten ribbed all year for your no-subject-is-taboo columns or stories about orgasms and kinky sexual positions, read on.

Now you can get some respect. And money.

The makers of Trojan brand condoms and the National Sexuality Resource Center's Campaign for Sexual Literacy are now accepting entries for the first-ever Trojan Evolve Student Journalism Award.

The grand prize: $2,000 in cash and a trip for two to San Francisco, where the winner will be honored at the 2008 Champions for Sexual Literacy annual dinner. Four additional students will receive honorable mentions and a $500 prize. All winning entries will be published on the Trojan Evolve Web site.

The award is designed to recognize "college journalists who do an exceptional job reporting on sexual health topics in their college print or online media outlet." Students can apply by submitting an article published in 2007 relating to sexual health issues, statistics, products, policy or opinions at www.trojanevolve.com.

Contest entries must focus on sexual health, "the experience of enjoying our sexuality, both emotionally and physically, throughout our lives."

According to the contest rules, "topics may include, but are not limited to, sexual health issues, statistics, products, policy and opinions. Articles should include references to condom use and must be consistent with the Evolve master narrative summary."

"With this award recognition, we hope to support student journalists who strive to articulate the evolving challenges, experiences and perspectives related to sexual health and condom usage in their college community or the greater U.S. population," Jim Daniels, vice president of marketing for Trojan, said in a news release about the contest. "College students are truly in a position to help to shape this nation into a sexually healthy society, and that requires an evolved media discourse about what it actually means to be sexually healthy."

The contest will be judged by a panel of sexual health experts, journalism professionals and Trojan brand representatives.

Sex column writing tips

Student newspaper advisers tend to groan when editors decide to launch a sex column, but the truth is these popular features can be fun and even educational without descending into the raunchy.

The key to a good sex column is research—of the computer/library/interviewing variety, not between the sheets. There are lots of great sources of information on the Web and on many college campuses.
Here are some tips for putting together a responsible and helpful, yet fun sex column:

• Report thoroughly. Scout for studies, read books on sexuality, interview experts (scientific researchers and therapists, not just the Casanova on the fourth floor of your dorm). A number of universities have sexuality research centers on campus (see resources below).

• Be inclusive. Remember that your readers aren’t all heterosexuals with the same values and sexual practices.

• Don’t be judgmental. Your column should be respectful of all types of people, from transsexuals and swingers to avowed virgins.

• Put it in an appropriate place. The best location for a sex and/or relationships column is a health/fitness page. If your newspaper doesn't have one, find a place in the features or lifestyle section. Though the column may be the writer's opinion, it does not belong in the opinion section.

• Use clear language. Don’t assume everyone has the same definition of “getting it on,” “going down” and other slang terms. Stick to the specific and recognizable.

For examples of well-researched, responsible sex columns see The Kinsey Confidential, a syndicated column that runs in student newspapers around the country. The column is produced by The Kinsey Institute Sexuality Information Service for Students.

Sex information sites
These sites are good sources for information and story ideas.

National Sexuality Resource Center

Society for Human Sexuality

Kinsey Institute Sexuality Information for Students

The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction

The Center for Sex Research at California State University Northridge

Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality

Alan Guttmacher Institute

Planned Parenthood Federation of America

American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists

Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States

For more information about writing a sex column see pages 50-51 of The Student Newspaper Survival Guide.