Queer Sex Ed Saves Lives
Throughout the United States, many students receive sex education that is neither inclusive nor well-designed. This subpar education could be due to the fact that the laws that govern sex education practices vary from state to state. Only 17 states require that sex education instructions be medically accurate and only 4 states require sex education to be LGBTQ+-inclusive (Human Rights Campaign, 2015). Additionally, there are 6 states that either “prohibit sex educators from discussing (or answering questions about) LGBTQ+ identities and relationships, or actually require sex educators to frame LGBTQ+ identities and relationships negatively.” (Stenson, 2020) Many of these “no promotion of homosexuality” laws were filed in the late 1980s and early 1990s (Hagemann, 2020) at the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, when a LGBTQ+-inclusive sex education program could have potentially saved lives.
These laws create an environment where most LGBTQ+ youth do not have access to inclusive sex education programs. As of 2015, only 19% of US schools had curricula or supplementary sex education materials that were LGBTQ+-inclusive and less than 5% of LGBTQ+ students had health classes that included positive representations of LGBTQ+-related topics. The creation of inclusive education programs is critical as youth within the LGBTQ+ community are less likely to use condoms or birth control when they have sex, more likely to contract HIV or other STIs, more likely to experience dating violence, and more likely to begin having sex at an early age and have multiple partners compared to their heterosexual peers (Planned Parenthood, 2015).
Research has shown that well-designed and well-implemented sex education programs can reduce risk behaviors and support positive sexual health outcomes among all teens. When these programs are also LGBTQ+-inclusive they can: help youth understand gender identity and sexual orientation; incorporate positive examples of LGBTQ+ individuals, romantic relationships, and families; emphasize the need for protection during sex for people of all identities; and dispel common myths and stereotypes about sexual minority behaviors and identity (Human Rights Campaign, 2015).
It is clear that when LGBTQ+ youth do not receive equal treatment and education in regards to sexual education, the harm is two-fold: they are left feeling rejected and without the skills they need to have safe, healthy relationships. LGBTQ+-inclusive sexual education needs to become the norm in schools throughout the United States.
Do you or your child attend a school where the sexual education program is lacking? Check out these resources for LBGTQ+-inclusive sexual health information: Planned Parenthood, Scarleteen, Sex, Etc., Center for Young Women’s Health, Young Men’s Health, The Trans Youth Sexual Health Booklet
References:
Hagemann, H. (2020, March 1). LGBTQ youth fight for equality in sex ed in south carolina
classrooms. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2020/03/01/810506670/lgbtq-youth-fight-for-equality-in-sex-ed-in-south-carolina-classrooms
Human Rights Campaign. (2015). A call to action: LGBTQ youth need inclusive sex education.
Planned Parenthood. (2015, December 2). Lack of comprehensive sex education puts LGBTQ
youth at risk: National organizations issue call to action to improve programs and policies. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/lack-of-comprehensive-sex-education-puts-lgbtq-youth-at-risk-national-organizations-issue-call-to-action-to-improve-programs-and
Stenson, A. (2020, February 4). Why LGBTQ youth need sex education. GLAAD.
https://www.glaad.org/amp/queering-sex-education-and-safe-sex-practices