Sex education can be downright awful.
The summation of a comprehensive class can be envisioned as a room full of students seated in a claustrophobic environment, being handed complimentary condoms, and staring at scare-tactics for chlamydia. The scene is, to say the least, cringe-worthy.
41% of students admit to knowing little about condoms and 75% state that they do not know anything about the contraceptive pill. Information regarding the coverage of the LGBTQ community is taught in fewer than five percent of classes and from a survey in 2015, only 12% of students said that their health classes discussed same-sex relationships.
The numbers support the ineffectiveness of these comprehensive courses — all bodies, identities, and sexualities should feel inclusive and all topics and scenarios should be discussed. If done correctly, sex education classes can be crafted as a safe space.
Here are three sex educators across the world who teach sex education in un bashful, sometimes messy, and most importantly, all inclusive environment.
Alix Fox
Recent recipient of the Sex Educator of the Year 2016, Alix Fox, hosts the podcast, “Close Encounters” where she discusses sex and relationships with selected guests on The Guardian.
Since its inception this summer, topics have ranged from the influence brought on by parental attitude and culture, embracing one’s body, having two vaginas and being brave in owning your sexuality.
Allison Moon
The author behind “Girl Sex 101,” “Bad Dyke,” and “Tales of the Pack” is sex educator, Allison Moon. Allison’s workshops, which have focused on strap on’s, polyamory, erotica, and more, are informative and fun.
Allison’s ability to believe that not “all girls come in (or with!) the same packages” is a refreshing look at sex education — both cis and trans women’s bodies matter.
JoEllen Notte, AKA The Redhead Bedhead
JoEllen is a writer, speaker, mental health advocate and sex educator. Primarily working with workshops that discuss consent, online dating, and sex toys, she has also extensively researched the effects of depression and sex.
The Redhead Bedhead, as she is called on the internet, is also a pro at rating sex shops. Since her personal goal is to “save the world from mediocre sex,” her interest in great sex shops has become a constant mission.
Sex ed doesn’t have to be boring. YouTube channels, bloggers, performers, and many more educators are altering the traditional classroom. Lifting the veil on sex and intimacy can shift the problems that the United States, and beyond, have with sex education. Normalizing the conversation around sex ed will facilitate conversations around contraceptives, HPV, and LGBTQ topics.
IMAGE COURTESY OF GETTYIMAGES.
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