inclusive sex education

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River L. Starriper | | Published October 22, 2022

Designed by Jamie Lynn Gallagher

war. genocide. drug. violence. All things that students are exposed to across multiple subjects, sex is where many draw the line.

In the United States, a very small percentage of middle and high schools (18% and 43%, respectively) teach materials covering key topics in sex education as defined by the CDC.

Additionally, only 18 of the 50 US states require that information taught in sex education be medically accurate. Other states teach abstinence-only education, in which students are taught to avoid sexual activity altogether.

Students are not taught about sex, and this educational deficiency extends beyond the mechanics of sexual intercourse. is a neglected topic.

For students who identify as LGBTQ+, the mental and physical risks may be even greater.

demand for diversity

Chelsea Proulx, a public health researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, studies the impact of comprehensive sex education on student mental health and well-being.

In 2019, Proulx conducted a study looking at schools with LGBT-inclusive sex education programs and whether they had positive mental health outcomes for their students.

In Proulx’s model, schools with LGBT-inclusive sex education programs had lower rates of depression and suicide, as well as lower rates of bullying and harassment, among both LGBTQ+ and cisgender heterosexual students. I understand.

The study included statistics outlining the proportion of same-sex couples in an area as a control value to mitigate the impact of experiencing a more diverse and inclusive environment outside of school.

Across the survey, LGBTQ+ students reported “lingering hopelessness and sadness” more than their heterosexual peers, and LGBTQ+ youth were five times more likely to attempt suicide.

Additionally, LGBTQ+ students were more likely to report being bullied, harassed, or feeling unsafe in their school environment.

Schools may have gay alliances or Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs), but only a limited number of students actually attend these conferences. Students who may engage in homophobic or transphobic behavior are generally not part of these organizations.

By including LGBTQ+ topics in the general curriculum, all students are exposed to these issues and gain greater awareness and understanding of different types of relationships and gender expressions in the world.

“[Inclusive sexual education] It uses very open and receptive language and a more inclusive definition. ”

With so much data supporting these claims and positive results, why aren’t more schools adopting comprehensive curricula?

think about children

Many people are familiar with laws such as Florida’s HB 1557, called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The law prohibits all discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity from kindergarten through her third grade or “in an age-appropriate or developmentally-appropriate manner.”

Proponents of these bills argue that they protect students from grooming and predatory behavior by instructors, and question why young children need to discuss sex in the first place.

Discussions on LGBT topics go far beyond sex alone, and sex education in general covers much more than sex itself. So what does LGBT-inclusive sex education actually look like?

“We use very open and inclusive language and a more inclusive definition,” says Proulx.

This could mean using anatomical terms instead of gender, or having gender-neutral conversations about pregnancy. Sex education is already in place, and most sex education curricula are built on topics that are developmentally appropriate for age groups.

“Kids that age are also old enough to understand what relationships look like,” Prue said.

At this stage, inclusive sex education may be as simple as teaching boys as well as girls about menstruation, teaching all students about different types of bodies, and including same-sex couples in discussions about relationships. not.

As children go through schooling, so does the material that is considered “developmentally appropriate.”

High school sex education may include teaching about how pregnancy and childbirth work, methods of contraception, and ways to prevent sexually transmitted infections. It also covers life-saving information on how students can self-check for breast and testicular cancer.

“I think we’re talking about what safe sex looks like for queer young people once they’re in high school… [benefits] So do heterosexual youth,” Prue explained.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a drug that people at risk for HIV can take to prevent them from contracting the disease through sexual or other means. Similarly, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) can be taken as an emergency measure when an individual may have been in close contact with an HIV-infected person.

However, PrEP and PEP are more commonly used by members of the LGBTQ+ community and are therefore not typically mentioned in sex education programs focused on heterosexual youth.

This is just one example of how including medically accurate and relevant LGBTQ+ topics in sex education can provide a useful resource for cisgender heterosexual youth.

However, policy barriers remain and some states actively oppose the introduction of such programs in schools, making the challenge of ensuring equal education for all more challenging. It’s getting complicated.

an educated future

There is a gap in American education, and inclusive, expansive, and medically accurate sex education provides students with the resources to make informed decisions about sexual health and activity.

Most school curricula are set at the state level, leaving decisions about youth sex education in the hands of state legislators and education officials, not doctors and sexual health professionals.

“When we talk about what safe sex looks like for queer youth… [benefits] heterosexual youth. ”

Inclusion goes beyond sex education. LGBTQ+ history and culture are part of the United States and are often ignored by the materials taught in schools.

“Sex education can be a difficult subject to defend …if it can be integrated [LGBTQ+ topics] With any curriculum, we’re making progress,” said Proulx.

And what can we do when high school sex education leaves lingering questions?

“Sex education goes beyond high school… Universities should also consider creating communities that include sex education resources,” Proulx said.

All RIT students have access to services provided by the Student Health Center, including safe sex kits, birth control, STD screening, and gender reassignment resources.

Get informed, get tested, close the gaps, and work toward a nation of inclusive sex education for all.