GW Today
10.26.15 | Ruth Steinhardt
Fraternity-organized game aimed to amplify conversation on communication between sexual partners.
In an effort to raise awareness of issues of sexual consent, the George Washington University chapter of fraternity Zeta Beta Tau and its philanthropic partner, Jewish Women International, organized 515 students Saturday in an attempt to break the world record for largest game of “Red Light, Green Light.”
The effort fell short of the Guinness record of 1,203 players, but organizers ended the day feeling triumphant in having met the larger purpose of initiating discussion about consent in sexual relationships.
“The really important thing is having the conversation,” said ZBT president Nick Carr. “If this helped just one person, we’re doing something right.”
The game was emceed by Kyle Lierman, B.B.A. ’10, an associate director in the White House Office of Public Engagement, who helped develop and implement the “It’s On Us” campaign. It differed from the traditional Red Light children’s game in one respect: Players were asked to run when Mr. Lierman called “green,” to freeze when he called “red” and when he called “yellow,” to turn to a neighbor and ask for permission before continuing.
