• the217
• LGBT
• Sculpting vulvae

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When asked to try your hand at sculpting a penis or vulva out of dough upon entering the door, it isn't difficult to recognize that Ladies Night at the Illini Arcade is all about fun. The women staff of the Illini Arcade (rated "Best Sex Shop of C-U" by the buzz last February) rushed to unpack Styrofoam cups for coffee and display two beautifully-frosted cakes: one shaped like a penis and the other, a pair of breasts. The night began with three different games and the chance to win mystery prizes. Besides molding a penis, an attendee could pin the "macho" on the man (I admittedly drew a vagina to pin- silently arguing that it, too, can be quite "macho") and handle an assortment of brown bags to try and identify which sex toys were in which bags.

In between attempting to figure out if the bag you were fondling housed a "Hum Dinger" [cock ring] or anal beads, women were also given free tokens for enjoying the 'Arcade' itself. In individual viewing rooms, over a dozen pornos were playing and viewers could seek that which tickled their fancy with the push of a button. The pornos showcased for Ladies Night were diverse, ranging from a 1970s trippy [softcore] porno-version of Alice in Wonderland to lesbian and gay hardcore. They even played the big-budget porno, Pirates, which has since been turned into an "arrr-rated" film, which has had the hardcore sex cut out completely.

After the aura of competition had passed, staff and attendees gathered together to discuss the many facets of sex: what to look for in a great vibrator, which products aim to synchronize climaxes between partners, the ins and outs of anal beads (no pun intended), and [even] bondage on a budget. Harboring a sense of inclusiveness, staff refrained from making assumptions about attendees and interchangeably spoke about hetero and LGBT issues in the bedroom. Those who attended were offered a 10% discount on all store products (videos, sex toys, lingerie, etc.) and copious amounts of free lube. If you opted not to attend this year, keep an eye out for another opportunity. In a society that encourages women to all but forget about their sexuality, it's nice to know there's somewhere women strangers can talk freely and without reserve about what turns them on.