It’s the consent fair that goes above the classic health brochures. SEXPO engages students in an immersive conversation on sexuality and sexual health without judgment. Various colourful toys lining booth tables, music uplifting curious crowds, and SEXPO in bright bold letters for campus wanderers to see.

“There’s such a variety of vendors … if you’re nervous about going up to the table where there’s dildos on it you can work your way around. It’s a very accepting and respectful environment,” Maggie Velisek, VIUSU Women’s Student Representative, says.

With an array of informational booths, drag performances, and more! This year’s SEXPO at the VIU Malaspina Theatre was a smashing hit with over 150 attendees overall on February 5, 2026. By day, VIUSU hosted the fair for attendees 18+ and by nightfall, the SEXPO After Dark show for a 19+ audience rocked the stage with a variety of drag performances with no entry fee.

For people who haven’t heard or attended the event, you may wonder: what is the purpose of SEXPO?

“VIUSU is trying to provide a space for students to learn about resources in the community,” Velisek shares.

VIUSU has held many consent fairs throughout the years, but SEXPO in former years was held at the Trades Discovery Centre, Sydney Sullivan says. SEXPO made its debut in 2024—as highlighted in the VIUSU Instagram posts.

Some quirky highlights from this year’s SEXPO were the $25 flash tattoos offered by Wander and Whim tattoo studio, Juicy J’s pole dancing at the fair, and free taco tickets from a food truck!

After the excitement of the day’s event from 2:30-5:30 pm, drag performers Roxy Riverz and Baby Blue turned up the heat with fellow performers at the 8:00 pm After Dark Event.

“They were hooting and hollering all the way around, it was great,” drag performer Ray Lukaczynski shares about the audience reaction to their Heated Rivalry inspired routine.

Lukaczynski shares that ‘Roxy Riverz’ is an elevated artistic version of themself that they have performed with for almost three years.

Their partner at SEXPO After Dark, Ren McCallum, has performed as ‘Baby Blue’ for three months.

For a tight-knit Nanaimo drag community, having local venues such as SEXPO has provided a space to express their art while spreading awareness on 2SLGBTQIA+ sexual health and identity. 

“Allowing people to show their sexy side and celebrate in a safe way is really cool,” McCallum says.

Events such as SEXPO are important year-round for student communities everywhere. There is an array of resources locally for 2SLGBTQIA+ sexual health, testing, and information to expand your relationship with sex of all kinds. If you missed the event, you can learn more about sexuality and health at the links below.

sexeducatoralysha.ca

services.viu.ca