Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: Campus - Hilary Tuttle

It was amusing, confusing and occasionally quite awkward.

While the idea of "Sex Toy Bingo" may be both compelling and unsettling for many, the event, held Wednesday night in Kimmel, drew 22 students, surpassing organizer Jessica Laigle's expectations.

Janice Formichella, a Wagner '09 student and Passion Parties representative, hosted the event. Wearing a shirt that said "Vaginas are coming!," Formichella called out the provocative Bingo words and educated attendees about everything from adult toy storage to the hazards of sugary body powder.

The event is part of a week-long series preceding the NYU production of the Vagina Monologues on Feb. 11, 12 and 13. The proceeds from the show will go to V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women, which Eve Ensler started after the success of her play "The Vagina Monologues."

Laigle explained that Sex Toy Bingo was designed to be a colorful event for a serious and worthy cause.

"A huge part of the show is the embracing of female sexuality, which is why sex toy bingo is a cool activity to do in both a political sense and just a fun sense," she said.

The event was a hit with attendees, and the prize display garnered particular praise.

"This is like the coolest thing I've seen in my life!" said Mariella, a CAS sophomore who declined to give her last name.

Only one prize was specifically designed for men - "Gigi," the masturbation sleeve - yet the male turnout surprised organizers and female attendees. Six men took part, and three won coveted prizes.

The evening didn't fit the mold for a usual Kimmel activity. Few events on campus involve students asking questions like, "Did she say 'vagina' yet?" or "Can you stick it … somewhere else?" Directions from lecturers rarely include comments like "You're gonna need double-A batteries for that" or "I said stimulate, not to be confused with simulate, which can also be good."

The final two prizes - a Magic Bullet and Flashlight and a Jelly Osaki vibrator - were claimed in a tie between CAS sophomore Ryan Stechler and a female student who refused to be named. While many of the girls left talking about their disappointing luck, they also came away with newfound know-how about the Passion Parties inventory.

Hilary Tuttle is a staff writer. E-mail her at campus@nyunews.com.

Original Article can be found at: http://media.www.nyunews.com/media/storage/paper869/news/2008/02/07/Campus/Passion.Parties.Students.Scream.bingo.For.Free.Sex.Toys-3194578.shtml

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