StarF*ck, the spring counterpart of Sex Power God, has been cancelled this semester, Queer Alliance announced in an e-mail to its listserve last night.
Josh Teitelbaum '08, co-president of QA, cited the excessive alcohol use surrounding November's SPG event, a dance hosted by QA that drew considerable attention in the fall, as the main reason for the cancellation. Teitelbaum, who is also chair of QA's Dance Committee, said pressure from the University was not the deciding factor in the cancellation, though he said "it was clearly a consideration." After SPG, QA was put on probation until December 2006.
In the wake of SPG and the national media coverage surrounding the event, the University created the Ad Hoc Committee to Review Social Events Policy and Procedure, which released a set of recommendations yesterday. Also after SPG, at which numerous students required emergency medical attention for intoxication, the existing Campus Life Advisory Board Subcommittee on Alcohol and Other Drugs was charged with reviewing Brown's alcohol policy.
"We thought that the goal of (StarF*ck) was being clouded by its connection to substance abuse," Teitelbaum said. "I was really pushing to cancel it this semester."
The goal of both StarF*ck and SPG, Teitelbaum said, is to "create a safe space for people to explore their sexuality." But in the past few years, particularly at SPG, that goal has become distorted as students feel the need to drink to be comfortable, he said.
Teitelbaum explained that QA needs to use the spring to brainstorm better ways to increase the student body's awareness of gender and sexuality issues to the student body.
The group is "not doing anything specific" in terms of a replacement dance, Teitelbaum said.
QA does, however, plan to create posters from a photo shoot featuring Brown students. The posters will be similar to those used to advertise SPG in the fall but will instead promote the importance of sexual health. The organization will also work to provide more HIV tests and hepatitis vaccinations on campus.
QA remains uncertain about the future of StarF*ck and SPG. Teitelbaum could not say whether the group would hold SPG in the fall.
Teitelbaum cited inadequate time to make necessary improvements as another reason for StarF*ck's cancellation. "We just didn't have that kind of time on our hands" between semesters, he said.
