Let's talk about sex(uality) Blatigenous and IDEAS host discussion on race and sex

ANNA CLARK Features Editor @AnnaClarkReport

There was a different kind of sex-ed being discussed on campus Monday when students learned about knowledge based research and sociopolitical mosaics during Tuesday’s speaker series.

Hosted by the Blatigenous and IDEAS clubs, Juan Battle led a discussion about LGBTQ people of color in the Great Hall.

Battle is an instructor of sociology, urban education and social welfare at the graduate center of the City University of New York. He received his associate's and bachelor's degree at York College of Pennsylvania and his master's and doctoral degree from the University of Michigan.

Battle, who headed the research project Social Justice Sexuality, addressed students by reviewing what his research showed, and how it is important to create studies based on knowledge instead of pathologizing people.

“I wanted to do a sexuality study that examined what condoms couldn't hold,” Battle said. “I wanted to stretch the thinking and talk about sexuality beyond vaginal and penile sexuality.”

According to Battle, when he began his study, he wanted to document and celebrate a sociopolitical mosaic of people’s lived experiences.

Battle’s research centered around five areas: sociopolitical involvement, family formations, spirituality, racial and sexual identity and mental and physical health.

Battle’s research revealed that the three major components of sexual identity that don't always add up are:

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Windrum encourages students to join the Film Club and attend the film series.

“Not only do you see a really interesting movie, but the panel discussions are great, because not only are the professors and the

Professor Juan Battle shares his personal stories and findings on being a person of color in the LGBTQ America to Pierce students and faculty in the Great Hall at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on Monday, Oct. 9, 2017 identity, behavior and attraction. According to Battle, it is key to recognize people's differences to see a sociopolitical mosaic of representations. panelists interesting, but then people in the audience ask questions,” Windrum said. According to Windrum, college life should involve seeing something, learning from it and then talking about it with your peers, and the film series allows students to do just that,

“I've seen that when we have a race-blind society, white people lead,” Battle said. “When we have a gender-blind society, men lead. When we have a class-blind society, he said.

Aside from the film series, Shaktah said the club will be producing original films. Members voted for a professional pillow fight competition film this semester.

“It was initially going to be one project, but due to the overwhelming