Let's Talk About Sex: Pepper Schwartz Speaking at FSU Tonight

will host acclaimed sex researcher Dr. Pepper Schwartz on campus today, March 5. 

The public is invited to a free presentation From Hooking Up to Viagra: The Sexual Life Cycle at 7 in the Dwight Hall Performing Arts Center on the campus of Framingham State. There will be a book signing at 8:30 p.m. following the presentation.

Schwartz, a sociologist at the University of Washington and author of books ranging from American Couples to Love Between Equals, is well known for her insightful and entertaining research-based examinations of sex, romance and couplehood.

She is co-author, with Framingham State University professor Virginia Rutter, of the 2012 book, The Gender of Sexuality: Exploring Sexual Possibilities.

"Pepper Schwartz helps audiences of every age to be fearless about sex — as a topic for study and as a meaningful component of people’s lives at every age,"  said Dr. Rutter, who invited Schwartz to campus as part of the University's innovative Linked Learning Communities, that develop interdisciplinary and extracurricular approaches to academic topics.

Framingham State history professor Bridgette Sheridan and Rutter are working intensivelywith students and the University community on "The Making of Sexualities," and Schwartz will be meeting with Framingham State students enrolled in their courses.

Schwartz’s talk, From Hooking Up to Viagra: The Sexual Life Cycle, explores
straight and gay sex lives at three different points: when we are unencumbered and not generally ready to make a commitment; when we are in the long-term mating, marriage/commitment dance; and when we hit middle age (and beyond).

Schwartz will also examine social and technological changes of this century that have affected what each of these moments in our life look like - or are likely to look like in the future.

Schwartz’s books, including The Gender of Sexuality, How to Find Your Perfect Match, Love Between Equals, Ten Talks Parents Must Have with Their Children and Prime, will be available at the lecture, and she will sign books at the event.

The event is convened by the Framingham State University Gender Interest Group and sponsored by Academic Affairs, the Departments of English, Consumer Science, History, Sociology, Communication Arts, the University's Wellness Center, Multicultural Affairs, Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and the University's History Club.

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