MTSU’s annual ‘Tunnel of Love’ urges awareness, exposes dangers of unprotected sex

The “Hearts Passage” at the Dubai Miracle Garden in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is a much more pleasant route than MTSU’s annual “Tunnel of Love” event, which promotes prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. The 2018 “Tunnel of Love” is set Wednesday, Sept. 19, in the Student Union ballroom. (Photo courtesy of Shahbaz Akram/Pexels)

The “Tunnel of Love” is not always a blissful romantic experience, as MTSU’s Department of Health and Human Performance and Health Promotion will demonstrate Wednesday, Sept. 19, in the Student Union ballroom.

A sign points to MTSU’s annual “Tunnel of Love” sexual health information event in this 2015 file photo from the Department of Health and Human Performance. The 2018 “Tunnel of Love” is set Wednesday, Sept. 19, in the MTSU Student Union ballroom. (Photo submitted)

The 16th annual event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 and is free and open to the public. A campus parking map is available at http://tinyurl.com/MTSUParking.

Off-campus visitors attending the event should obtain a special one-day permit from MTSU’s Office of Parking and Transportation at 1403 E. Main St. or online at www.mtsu.edu/parking/visit.php.

Casie Higginbotham

A walk-through education intervention, the Tunnel of Love focuses on enlightening the public about sexually transmitted infections and transmission prevention.

“Based on data from the National College Health Assessment conducted by (MTSU) Health Promotion in 2016, consistent condom use among MTSU students is low,” said Casie Higginbotham, a lecturer in the Department of Health and Human Performance.

“Since barrier methods are the only protection against infection besides abstinence, this event aims to provide clear information on both options.”

Nashville Cares, a nonprofit organization devoted to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Middle Tennessee, will provide free HIV and hepatitis C tests for MTSU students, faculty and staff.

For more information, contact Higginbotham at 615-904-8274 or casie.higginbotham@mtsu.edu.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)

The “Hearts Passage” at the Dubai Miracle Garden in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, isn’t quite the same as MTSU’s annual “Tunnel of Love” event, which promotes prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, but the Hearts Passage is a great reminder that good sexual health relies on much more than hearts and flowers. The 2018 “Tunnel of Love” is set Wednesday, Sept. 19, in MTSU’s Student Union ballroom. (Photo courtesy of Shahbaz Akram/Pexels)