Hundreds of people made an appointment with Dr. Ruth at SF State last Thursday to hear the popular “sexologist” voice her opinion on all subjects sex-related.

“No sex position is morally wrong unless [the parties] don’t both agree,” said Dr. Ruth Westheimer, known to most as “Dr. Ruth.” “Anything two consenting adults agree to do on their kitchen floor or living room couch—it’s okay! If he wants to hang from a chandelier? That’s okay!”

Dr. Ruth’s near three-decade-long legacy of spreading sexual literacy around the world brought her to a podium in Jack Adams Hall on Oct. 23. Her appearance was a part of Sexual Literacy Day, an event that was organized by the Campus Coalition for Sexual Literacy. The psychosexual therapist gave a speech that debunked sex myths and encouraged safe sex practices, rounding out the hour with a Q&A session.

Westheimer has given sex advice to millions since she began her career in 1980. According to her Web site, what began as a 15-minute radio spot at WYNY-FM in New York turned into a live, one-hour show where she answered sex-related call-in questions from listeners. During her 28-year career, Dr. Ruth coined the term “sexual literacy” and spread its importance through numerous television shows, newspaper columns, home videos and even board games.

Dr. Ruth, who proudly announced at the event that she just turned 80, is known for her blunt, witty advice on the topics of family, relationships and how to achieve sexual health and well-being—all delivered in her lilting German accent.

Dean Joel Kassiola from SF State’s College of Behavioral and Social Sciences directed the Q&A session from a list of queries anonymously submitted and collected prior to Dr. Ruth’s visit. For weeks, the campus club called EROS, or Educational & Referral Organization for Sexuality, collected questions people had for the sexologist. Queries were dropped off into a cardboard box that was decorated with leopard-print wrapping paper.

The most commonly submitted question, according to Kassiola, was, “How do I prolong sex?” Dr. Ruth answered that though more research is needed to find out why premature ejaculation happens, it is a phenomenon that is easy to fix. She advised that men learn to recognize the “premonitory feeling” that happens before ejaculation, or “the point of no return.”

“At that moment, try to lose your erection and then bring it back up again,” said Dr. Ruth, gesturing with one hand while she held a microphone in the other. “Do this a couple times, and on the third time, ejaculate.” According to Dr. Ruth, after several weeks of practice, men will be able to prolong their sexual performance.

The 4-foot-7 sexologist stood upon a box behind the podium and dished out advice for the ladies, also. She advised that women give themselves the “permission” to orgasm, and to teach their partners how to please them. Before leaving the stage, she left the women in the room with a homework assignment.

“For the women, I want you to get in your cars, and every time there is a red light, I want you to do the Dr. Kegel exercise—squeeze and release, squeeze and release,” Dr. Ruth said. Kegel exercises, the strengthening of the pelvic muscle that controls urine flow, is known to improve sexual enjoyment for both partners.

“[After your Kegel exercise,] look into the car next to you and give that person a wink,” said Dr. Ruth to the audience, who proceeded to howl with laughter.

The doc’s visit was organized by the CCSL, a new student group that began this semester under the National Sexuality Resource Center. The student group, according to CCSL volunteer Richard Garcia, offers a safe space for people on campus to learn about sexual health and literacy.

Sexual literacy, as defined by the CCSL, is a movement to educate people on how to have a life-long, happy and healthy sexual life. It is a holistic model of learning that considers diverse issues such as race, gender, faith and age.

According to Christopher White, the director of education and training at the NSRC, Sexual Literacy Day is meant to raise sexual health awareness on campus—and the natural choice for a guest-speaker that embodies this message was Dr. Ruth.

“I believe sexuality is something we learn from people who know more than us,” White said. “Dr. Ruth knows to help. Though the times change, certain aspects of sex doesn’t change.”

Praney Anand, a graduate student in the human sexuality program, works at the CCSL and agrees that Dr. Ruth still provides advice that is helpful to today’s generation.

“Dr. Ruth is relevant now more than ever,” Anand said. “Sex evolves all the time. Sex is not a stand-alone issue.”

Hundreds of college students and older people came to see the sexologist speak. Some of the younger audience members admitted they did not know Dr. Ruth’s stance on issues, but were curious to catch a glimpse of who many referred to as the funny, little old lady that talks about sex. Amy Wu, a grad student from the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program, was one of them.

“It’s kind of adorable hearing old ladies talk about sex and instruments,” Wu said before the event. She arrived an hour early to get a front-row seat. “I expect a good laugh and to hopefully learn something new.”

Friends Sam Murphy and Season Hinojosa also arrived early to the event.

“I hope to learn new things,” said Murphy, a zoology major. “Sexual literacy is important. I always felt like I was naive about sex.”

Eden Mackey, a freshman studying biology, came to support the event because one of her friends helped coordinate it.

“I know [Dr. Ruth] is very famous for pioneering sexual literacy,” said Mackey after the event. “It was a unique experience to see and hear her speak.”

Dr. Ruth has two children, four grandchildren and currently lives in New York City, where she is an adjunct professor at New York University.