Sex Ed for Real Life

sex ed for real life

Table of Contents Introduction Why is it so hard to teach inclusive, accessible, and comprehensive sex education in schools?

Gender and Sexuality What is the difference between sex and gender?

Anatomy What is the difference between the vulva and the vagina? & How exactly does everything connect?

Care and Keeping To soap or not to soap... that is the question!

Hair Am I supposed to shave down there? And how much?

Periods Where am I bleeding from during my period?

Consent What does consent actually look like in practice?

Pleasure How do I know what I like?

Cultural and Religious Messaging on Sex What does it mean to lose your virginity?

Contraception How do I pick a birth control method?

Speaking with Adults about Sex How do I navigate "The Talk"?

Seeking Info Elsewhere Can I really trust anything I read on the internet about sexual health?

Why is it so hard to teach inclusive, accessible, and comprehensive sex education in schools?

Sex education is like the wild, wild West. There are no rules that establish national mandates on what should and should not be discussed, nor what the “right way” to educate may or may not entail.

Sometimes, important information we need to make decisions about our health is withheld. What a strange approach to learning! Can you imagine if we taught any other subject by just not addressing it at all? Like, if we wanted to decrease automobile accidents, but deemed it inappropriate to show someone how to wear their seatbelt or interpret street signs.

It seems equally backwards that the best way to teach people about sex is just to say “don’t”. Research finds that programs that promote abstinence until marriage while withholding information about contraceptive methods do not stop or even delay sex. And, abstinence-only-until-marriage programs can actually place young people at increased risk of pregnancy and STIs. Moreover, withholding this information is a discredit to how smart and resourceful young people are, not to mention that most have a world of information available at their fingertips.

What's more is that there is no law that ensures the material presented is factual and evidence based, which as a result allows for the exclusion of certain groups of people. For example, seven states require that “only negative information be provided on homosexuality”- it is not fair or kind to teach that someone’s identity is wrong.

Instead of keeping secrets or actively excluding people on the basis of identity, we should provide folks medically accurate and accessible resources, so they can make their own informed decisions about their bodies and care.

My hope is that this zine is one of those resources! May it guide but never instruct. Here you’ll find some very frank but scientifically backed answers to questions that sex education leaves out. As I am just one voice, I’ve also included some input from ~100 contributors who shared what they wish they’d learned in their sex ed classes.

burning questions: that thing you're dying to ask!

another perspective: submission from outside contributor

food for thought: questions to reflect on

QR Codes: point a phone camera at these squares for more information

What is the difference between sex and gender?

ASSIGNED SEX AT BIRTH Male? Female? Intersex? Other?

Humans are assigned a sex at birth based on their anatomy, hormones, and chromosomes. Typically, those born with a vagina are considered female, while those with a penis are considered male, those with features of both may be considered intersex.

The good news is that we get to be more than what we are assigned as babies... it turns out a whole person is more than just their genitalia and chromosomes. Think about all the things that make up who you are!

GENDER IDENTITY Woman? Girl? Man? Boy? Non-binary?

Gender queer? Gender fluid? Transgender?

Let's define some words first--What does binary mean???

Imagine you’re at a restaurant, a binary menu would have only two choices for your dinnerchicken or fish. Binary means two discrete options: Black or white; soft or hard; sweet or sour. Most of us know, that in this life, things are usually not that simplistic-- and that is good! Complexity and depth give life meaning.

On that note, some people's assigned sex at birth is the same as their gender identity, they are cisgender.

Some people's assigned sex at birth is different than their gender identity, they are transgender. Both are valid and deserving of respect and love!

Many of us are made to believe that gender is also a binary--boy or girl; man or woman; lady or gentleman. When in fact, gender is more of a spectrum!

Rather than a two-option menu, gender identity is more like the limitless buffet of your dreams. How do you feel inside? There are lots of choices, you can take as little or as much as you want of each, and what you choose one day, may not be what you pick next time you come to the restaurant! All this to say, gender is:

SEXUAL ORIENTATION Straight? Gay? Queer?

Asexual? Bisexual? Pansexual?

So many, many more!

This may describe a person's answer to the following questions: Who do you crush on?

Who would you like to be in a relationship with?

Who are you attracted to?

Sexual orientation may describe physical attraction…

Whose hand would you like to hold?

Who do you want to kiss, hug, squeeze?

Who do you want to have sex with?

...or emotional attraction Who would you like to take a long, moonlit stroll along a beach with?

Who would you stay up all night talking to?

Who gets you on a deeper level?

GENDER EXPRESSION Feminine? Masculine?

Girly girl? Androgenous?

Nonconforming?

Gender expression is how you choose to outwardly communicate who you are to the world- this can be through your clothes, hair, mannerisms, voice, etc.

Self-expression often changes and develops as we grow up and get to know ourselves better.

And a PSA Dresses and pants and necklaces and earrings and ties and shorts and tank tops and pink and blue and floral prints and checkers are for anyone who should choose to wear them!

DISCLAIMER Maybe none of these labels really describe you – that is OK! Maybe your gender identity, expression, or who you are attracted to changes over time-- that is OK!

Gender identity is where you might place yourself on (or outside of) this spectrum.

Maybe it is tough to express yourself and you're still sorting it all out – that is OK!

So.. what all can we have down there?

The clitoris is a sensory organ that plays in an important role in transmitting pleasure from the outside world to our brains.

The most anterior (closest to the front of your body) opening is your urethra, which is the way urine (pee) leaves the body. The urethra is a much smaller opening than the vagina and is connected to the bladder, where urine is stored until you go to the bathroom. The average bladder can hold almost a liter worth of urine!

The vagina is connected to the uterus and it has many jobs-- it hustles for us!

First, it hosts an entire ecosystem equipped with a flora of bacteria that help keep it clean and healthy. It has a ton of sensory nerves that communicate with our brain to let us feel pleasure when we’re turned on. Discharge leaves via here, as does blood during our period, and even entire human babies during childbirth.

The terms vulva and vagina are often mixed up. The vulva refers to the entire external anatomy as seen to the left. In contrast, the vagina is the muscular tube connected to the uterus.

The labia enclose and protect the important structures of the vulva. The word labia means lips. The labia majora are mechanically protective, while the labia minora enclose the opening to the vagina and are highly sensory. The size of each labia differs from person to person, they are rarely symmetrical, and they can be various shades of pink, brown, or purple -- just like the lips on your face!

What is circumcision?

An uncircumcised penis has foreskin that covers the glans, sort of like a turtleneck.

Circumcision is removal of the foreskin to expose the glans of the penis.

The shaft is the main segment of the penis. Blood vessels inside the shaft allow it to become erect

The glans is also known as the head of the penis. The urethra is the opening at the tip, which is a means for the body to eliminate urine; semen also comes out here during ejaculation.

The scrotum holds the testicles which make sperm. Fun fact: the reason the scrotum hangs outside of the body is to keep the testes at a cooler temperature, which is important for making sperm!

How exactly does everything connect?

In a male, the long tube that twists and turns through the reproductive system is called the vas deferens. It eventually empties into the urethra, which transports both semen and urine out of the body.

The organ that looks like a sticky hand is the fallopian tube, and it acts as a tunnel for an egg to travel from the ovary to the uterus.

The epididymis connects the vas deferens to the testes, where sperm is made and stored. Glands add sugar and lubricating substances to the sperm before it leaves the body through the urethra.

The uterus is connected to the vagina, and they are separated by the cervix, which you can think of as the door between these two organs.

The prostate is a gland the size of a chicken nugget. It also adds fluid that protects the sperm.

"Does every human have either male or female anatomy?"

There wouldn't be enough space in this zine to illustrate all of the variations of human anatomy that exist! Intersex is a word used to describe folks with anatomy that does not fit either of these boxes.

In a female, the bladder, where urine is stored, sits just beneath the uterus. Ever wonder why pregnant people have to pee a lot? It's because the fetus in the uterus pushes on the bladder!

FEMALE

g g g g g

MALE prostate vas deferens testes bladder rectum

g g g g g

uterus vagina ovary bladder rectum

Finally, the rectum connects to the rest of our digestive tract. After we absorb all the nutrients from the food we eat, it leaves our body as poop via the rectum and out the anus.

To soap or not to soap? that is the question...

Think for a moment about your favorite ecosystem (a desert, forest, ocean, etc.). I’m picturing a rainforest… … now, in every ecosystem, there is a delicate balance of natural circumstances that allow it to thrive, and when this balance is interrupted the ecosystem is put in danger. For example, the warm climate of my imaginary rainforest allows tall trees to grow fruit.

Then, bugs can eat the fruit from the trees, and maybe those bugs are food for the birds. The bugs, in turn, help pollinate the trees-it’s the circle of life!

But if for some reason, my imaginary rainforest got freezing cold and all the bugs died-- the birds would go hungry and the trees would struggle to grow. If the temperature continued to drop, the whole ecosystem would hurt.

In many ways, the vagina is an ecosystem with a unique balance.

There is a specific temperature, acidity, and while there are not bugs or birds inside you, there is life! The life inside your vagina is mostly bacterial, and in the scientific community, we refer to each person’s unique bacterial population as a flora. A healthy flora, maintained by our bodies’ natural environment, is an important part of our immune system, as it keeps pathogens (foreign matter that may get you sick) at bay. When the flora is disturbed, the host (you) is more susceptible to disease.

Another important thing to consider about the vagina, is that it’s lined with a mucous membrane. The parts of our bodies that have mucous membranes, like our mouth, the inside of our nostrils or the inside of our eyelids, are permeable-- meaning substances can easily pass through them. This is good, as one of the functions of these membranes is to secrete and absorb fluids the vagina needs to regulate its environment. However, since this physical barrier is much thinner compared to the skin that covers most of our bodies, mucous membranes are far more vulnerable to substances we expose them to.

This is a good thing to think about when practicing hygiene downtown-- soaps, body wash, douches, and any scented products typically contain strong chemicals which may pass through the vagina’s thin mucous membrane and mess with the healthy flora.

Remember, the vagina refers to the internal anatomy, where the vulva is what you can see from the outside.

TLDR: • vulva=clean like you would the rest of your body • vagina= no soap zone (ie no soap, douching, steaming, etc..)

"What is discharge? " Discharge is the true elephant in the room of vulvas… everyone has it, isn’t sure what to think about it, yet it’s rarely spoken about! Basically, discharge is made up of fluid, mucus, bacteria, and dead cells. You may be thinking, "that is gross, no wonder nobody talks about it." But discharge is produced as a result of our vagina self-cleaning, and that is cool!

The vagina is able to maintain its flora without soaps and scents and whatnot mostly because of its low pH, which is a property that expresses the acidity (low pH) or basicity (high pH) of a substance. The vagina, and thus discharge, has a pH of around 3.5-4.5. The acidity of discharge may even discolor your underwear resulting in a stain after washing.

Discharge is normal and may look different at different points of your cycle. If it has a funky smell, changes color, or is accompanied by itching or burning, then it may be time to talk to a doctor or nurse.

Am I supposed to shave down there? And how much?

Sometimes, we humans forget that there is indeed a reason most of our body is covered with hair – so let's back it up and first think about the functions of body hair:

Protection

Sensation

Pubic hair, nose hair and eyelashes trap dirt, debris, and microorganisms so they cannot enter the body.

Hair cells collect information about the environment and relay that information to your brain.

3000 BC

1560

INFLUENCER: Cleopatra

INFLUENCER: Queen Elizabeth I

TRE ND: Bald heads and zero pubes

TREND: Keep all body hair BUT completely remove eyebrows to make your forehead look bigger (and thus better)

METHOD: tweezers made from seashells, beeswax, pumice stones

ME THOD: bandages soaked in cat pee and vinegar, walnut oil

So i f body hair is so useful, then why do we get rid of it?

Most of these beauty standards have been invented and reinvented for us over time by the media, there is no medical or hygienic benefit to removing hair.

1915 INFLUENCER: Harper's Bazaar TRE ND: Armpit hair is now considered "unsightly" ME THOD: Gillette razors, depilatory powder

_ _ _ _

1940 INFLUENCER: World War II nylon shortage TRE ND: Rising hemlines + lack of nylon to make pantyhose = exposed legs! As we fight WWII, the beauty industry begins its fight against women's leg hair ME THOD: razors (electric razor now available!)

Thermoregulation \ \ \ \

Notice that your hairs stand up when it's cold outside, this is to trap a layer of air above the skin and prevent heat loss.

TODAY INFLUENCER: Social media, celebrities, porn, and the now very powerful beauty industry TRE ND: Hairless armpits. legs, and upper lip, but thick eyelashes and eyebrows, and "maintained" pubic hair

METHOD: waxing, tweezers, threading, razors, electrolysis

The good news is there is no "supposed to", you have autonomy of your body, meaning you get to decide what to do with it! ❖ If shaving/waxing/threading makes you feel good, live your truth! ❖ If you want to be like Queen Elizabeth and remove your eyebrows, go for it! (Maybe skip the cat pee, though). ❖ If you'd like to let it grow, let it grow!

Where am I bleeding from during my period?

Bleeding during your menstrual cycle (period) is not the same as when you bleed from a paper cut or scrape your knee. It’s often tinged darker red-brown, rather than the cherrycolored blood that you may be used to seeing leave your body.

And that is because "period blood" is mostly endometrium, AKA the inner lining of the uterus.

To understand what is happening here, let’s back it up to about two weeks before a period starts, at which point a process called ovulation occurs.​ Ovulation is when a mature egg leaves the ovary and travels down the fallopian tube, toward the uterus. Hormones, called estrogen and progesterone, orchestrate this process, as well as simultaneously thickening the endometrium, so that when the egg arrives, it has a nice soft place to land in a big pile of squishy tissue.

​If the egg is not fertilized by sperm, you have no use for this big pile of squishy tissue and it is released from your body, and THAT is your period! This also explains why pregnant people do not have periods, as their bodies need and will continue to develop this big pile of squishy tissue to protect the fertilized egg.

Period advice from our contributors: • "tampons are not really that scary!"

• "exercise helps manage cramps" • "know the time limit on tampons" • "raspberry leaf tea to help with cramps" • "try a diva cup" • "avoid scented or perfumed products" • "period blood stains can be removed with hydrogen peroxide followed by a cold water rinse" • "period blood isn't always red, it can be brown or maroon" • "if you forget a pad, you can DIY a temporary fix with a paper towel" • "dark chocolate is the best bad day treat!!"

• "keep a box of tampons or pads in your locker or car" • "you can still poop/pee with a tampon in"

"Will getting a period change my personality?"

While the list of documented period and premenstrual symptoms is long: (cramps, breast tenderness, acne, cramps, fatigue, diarrhea or constipation, muscle aches, headaches, irritability, mood swings, and more); the assertion that an individual turns into completely irrational human while they’re menstruating is a socially constructed and tbh, offensive idea. Lots of folks who menstruate do so while kicking butt and taking names.

Most importantly, everyone’s period affects them dif ferently. If your period symptoms are so severe that they’re stopping you from your regular daily activities- then it may be worth talking to someone about.

"Do all women get periods?"

Not all women get periods, and not all people who get periods are women! As discussed earlier, gender is not defined by genitalia, body parts, or chromosomes.

more period content...

How do I pick between a pad, tampon, cup, or underwear?

Here are some things to consider when choosing which period product is right for you:

❖ What’s my flow situation: light, medium, heavy? ❖ Am I comfortable with inserting something into my vagina? ❖ What’s my budget?

❖ How often am I available/willing to change it?

Check the flow chart for some helpful info!

"Can you have sex on your period? " You sure can! Just keep in mind, like the title of the compelling period drama on the oil industry starring Daniel Day Lewis-- There Will be Blood. So communicate with your partner beforehand, still use protection, remove any tampons or diva cups beforehand, and maybe throw down a towel.

Flow Chart

DIVA CUP • silicone or latex • $6-$30 for one • reusable and good for earth!

• clean and don't lose

PERIOD UNDIES • cotton, spandex, etc.

• $10-$40 for one • easy to put on and take off • reusable and good for earth!

"I would like one product that I can reuse."

yes

Am I good with inserting something in my vagina?

no

"I'm more comfortable with a single use product. " TAMPON • cotton • ~$0.25 per tampon • Different sizes available depending on flow • must be changed every 4-8 hours • great for movement and sports once you get used to them!

PAD (or sanitary napkin if you're fancy) • rayon, cotton, and plastic • ~$0.25 per pad • many different styles/sizes available depending on flow • can be bunchy or uncomfortable • panty liners (skinny, small pads) are great for the end of a period when flow is low

All these period products, not to mention menstrual pain medication, new underwear, chocolate, etc. can add up in price!

Should period products be free or covered by insurance? How would this change things?

What does consent actually look like in practice?

Consent is all about communication. In that spirit, I figured I'd "phone a friend" (some contributors) to share their thoughts on consent.

Still not totally clear on consent?

Planned Parenthood coined a super useful and catchy pneumonicconsent is FRIES!​ Freely given​ •No pressure or manipulation, no influence of drugs/alcohol​.

Many of us aren't taught how to do this as kids, or are taught that it's better to please those around you.

Even when we begin to practice this in some kinds of social interactions, it can be really hard to do the same in sexual interactions.

Gender norms are powerful.

Consent is not always as clear cut as a simple yes or no. It can be, but often, there's so much more at play that can influence someone's ability to give consent-alcohol consumption, age differences, discrepancies in power and privilege.

Therefore, when you're talking about consent, it's really important to keep in mind how these power dynamics are at play.

Reversible​ •You can change your mind at any point​.

Informed​ •There are no surprises or secrets, including re: contraception!

Enthusiastic​ •Everyone is excited about it- yes means yes. No hesitation​-- in doubt? Ask! Specific​ •"Yes" to one thing does not mean "yes" to everything- even if it's something you've done before​.

more on consent...

"I get that no means no and yes means yes, but I feel like in real life, things are more complicated than that. Like, sometimes I find it hard to say no, especially if I want the person to like me. Sometimes, I feel weird asking for what I want! How do I communicate my boundaries and talk about consent in the heat of the moment?"

➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢

"Hey, can we stop?"

"I'm not comfortable with that."

"I’d rather go back to …"

"Can we slow down?"

"I'm not in the mood right now."

"Let's pause for a second."

"I want to check in about …"

➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢

"Are you into this?"

"That feels amazing, keep going!"

"I really like when you …"

"Is this ok? ...is this still ok?"

"I'd love to try …"

"Do you like this or that more?"

"I'm feeling …., what about you?"

Nobody gets to touch you without your consent.

Unfortunately, there may be situations where consent is violated.

This may look different ways, here are some examples of what consent does not look like from RAINN:

•

refusing to acknowledge “no”

•

a partner who is disengaged, nonresponsive, or visibly upset

•

assuming wearing certain clothes, flirting, or kissing is an invitation for anything more

•

someone being under the legal age of consent

•

someone being incapacitated because of drugs or alcohol

•

pressuring someone into sexual activity by using fear or intimidation

•

assuming you have permission to engage in a sexual act because you’ve done it in the past

Maybe something about a sexual encounter just felt "off", these are moments where it can be very challenging but very important to listen to yourself!

What do you do if you or a loved one experience a violation of consent?

RAINN has a phone line 800-656-HOPE (4673) where you can speak with someone confidentially about what happened, and they will walk you through next steps at your own pace.

1. Find a safe place.

2. Take deep breaths, what happened is not your fault.

3. If you need medical attention or are thinking about reporting, here are some things to keep in mind: •If you can, avoid showering, bathing, changing clothes, combing your hair, or cleaning the area.

•You can learn more about what the medical exam entails and options for reporting at RAINN's website

How do I know what I like?

This is an excellent question!

Pleasure is something that feels good. So how does our body even feel?

Sensory neurons have different receptors depending on the type of sensation: pain, temperature, vibration, light touch, etc. The receptor is connected to a nerve fiber which uses an electrical or chemical signal to communicate with our brains and give us important information about the world around us.

Without sensory neurons, we would have no way to contextualize our surroundings. For example, if you put your hand on a hot pan, it’s important for your safety that your sensory neurons quickly communicate to your brain that you should retract your hand. Without this impulse you could get burnt pretty bad.

And sensory neurons don’t just communicate danger-- they help you feel your dog’s soft fur, your toes in the sand at the beach, sunshine on your face, the perfect high five, a back scratch, the perfectly worn-in sweatshirt-all the good things!

Sensory receptors are located all over our body but are concentrated in areas that are a bit more, well, sensitive; for example, your fingertips, your tongue, your armpits, your lips, and you guessed it, your genitals (namely, the clitoris and penis). The clitoris is an organ dedicated entirely to sensation. While only a small part of the clitoris is visible from the outside, this seemingly small spot plays a big role in sexual pleasure.

Lots of folks learn “what they like” by touching themselves in these aforementioned “sensitive areas”, namely their genitals- this practice is called masturbation. People of all genders masturbate, as it is a great way to get to know yourself better. It’s a totally personal and private decision whether or not to masturbate, and so long as it’s not getting in the way of your daily activities, it’s a healthy and normal part of life; as well as a safe way to experiment and find what feels good to you personally.

A

B

C

Check out what some of these sensory receptors look like under the microscope!

A) This is a Pacinian corpuscle; it looks sort of like an onion and is responsible for sensing vibration.

B) M eissner's corpuscle helps us feel light touch. The purple layers in that image are epidermis (the outermost layer of your skin) and the pink layers are dermis (the layer deep to the epidermis).

C) Remember earlier when I said hair help us with sensation? Well, here they are! Can you see each individual follicle?

"I would say that pleasure fluctuates.

What I find pleasurable one day I may not be remotely interested in the next day and that is okay. Even though my answer might change, I think pleasure is rooted in consent. Learning about my own pleasure and interrogating what makes me feel good has helped me advocate and understand what I want to say yes to and what I want to say no to. In this way, I think it has also allowed me to think of sexuality from a place of joy. Pleasure looks like asking myself am I finding joy in this experience and ignoring the messages about what I should be feeling in any given circumstance."

How does pleasure relate to consent?

What does it mean to "lose" your virginity?

Intimacy takes many shapes and forms, physical and otherwise. For example, kissing and hugging may make you feel closer to someone, but so can cooking a meal for someone when they’re sick, giving your friend a haircut, or sharing a playlist of your favorite songs.

People engage in sexual activity for lots of different reasons, and while we hear a lot about protecting ourselves physically with contraception and birth control- be sure that you are also protecting your heart! Protecting your heart looks like taking responsibility for and prioritizing your health, as well as communicating your intentions, hopes, and concerns with someone you may be intimate with.

While sex can be important and beautiful, it takes on the meaning you assign to it. It is one experience that you will share, but sex is one of many important and beautiful experiences that has the possibility of connecting you to another person.

There is intense rhetoric around the way “sex changes you” or “sex will change your relationship”, in reality, it might, but it also might not. Virginity is a social construct, nothing is truly “lost”, nor are you less pure or sacred because you had sex with someone.

DISCLAIMER Although society may define "sex" as penetrative (vaginal or anal), there are many forms of sex, as well as many ways to define sex!

The number of partners you’ve had or things you’ve done in bed do not make you any less worthy of love or likely to achieve your goals.

You have the right to your own body. You can practice setting boundaries by vocalizing what makes you comfortable versus what doesn’t feel ok. Communicating your boundaries may sound as simple as, “I’m am/ am not into that” or “I don’t feel like .../ I’m excited to...” This is a good skill not just when it comes to sex and relationships- but for life!

How do I pick a birth control method ?

Birth control is like Pokémon- each has its special strengths and weaknesses.

It's all about finding what works best for you!

It's ok if more questions come up later. “The Talk” doesn’t have to be a one time, all or nothing conversation...

“The Talk” is notoriously dreaded by young people and adults alike, and I will not lie and say it is cool and casual, because it may be uncomfortable. But it may also help you get more info to make decisions about your health!

So grab a trusted adult with whom you feel safe and check out these pointers for easing nerves:

...nor doesn’t have to be explicitly about sex. It may help to think of some gateway conversations and work your way into more intimate subjects when you're ready. Check out some of the food for thought questions in this zine for inspiration.

Find the right time and place- prepare by asking “is now a good time to talk about something important?”

If you’re worried about how to phrase your question, write it down first. If you can't muster up the courage to vocalize your concerns, you can just hand over the paper.

Identify what you are feeling out loud so everyone is on the same page- some helpful phrases may be: “Hey, I know this is kind of awkward, but I want to ask you about ...” or “Sorry if this is weird but I trust you, so can I talk to you about ...”

Be honest! And get honesty back in return! This may be challenging but it can help a relationship grow.

If you’re still not ready to talk with an adult in your life about sex or relationships, that is ok! Another option may be speaking with a doctor/nurse. Turn to the next page for some tips on seeking information elsewhere before dread Googling.

“Can I really trust anything I read on the internet about sexual health?”

No one website or class (or zine) will have all the answers you’re looking for when it comes to questions about sexual health.

Here are some more questions to ask yourself when thinking about how reliable your source may be: ❑ Who wrote it? ❑ What experience or credentials do they hold? ❑ When did they write it? ❑ Is the information outdated? ❑ Why did they write it? ❑ Are there any paid sponsorships? ❑ Do they have any ulterior motives? ❑ Does the source list any affiliations?

What are some consequences of misinformation being circulated about sex and relationships?

Why is it important to be able to access good information about sexual health?

"Will my doctor judge me for asking a personal question about my sexual health?"

The job of your provider (doctor, nurse, counselor, etc.) is to work with you to keep you healthy and safe. Being truthful about your sexual history, care needs, and concerns make it easier for them to do that job. The more information you can give, the more personalized and effective care they can give you. The more questions you ask, the more your provider knows how to shape the conversation to give you the education to help you make informed decisions about your health!

QUESTIONABLE AT BEST

Forums, chatrooms, pages with unspecified authors, out of date and/or biased information

Just because it’s on the internet; doesn’t mean it’s true!

RELIABLE

Planned Parenthood website, public health organizations (like the CDC or WHO!) Every person is unique, so what works for someone else,may not be the best thing for you.

THE GOLD STANDARD!

A doctor, nurse, counselor, or other healthcare provider!

The surest way to get answers that are both true, and true for you, is to ask a healthcare provider who knows your history and can work with you to make good decisions about your healthcare.

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Santelli, John, and Leslie M Kantor. “Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage: An Updated Review of U.S. Policies and Programs and Their Impact.” Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 61, no. 3, 2017, pp. 400–403., “Sex and HIV Education.” Guttmacher Institute, 14 Dec. 2021, G ender and Sexuality Garg G, Elshimy G, Marwaha R. Gender Dysphoria. [Updated 2021 Jul 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-.

Steinmetz, Katie. “Beyond 'He' or 'She': The Changing Meaning of Gender and Sexuality.” Time, 17 Mar. 2017.

“LGBTQ+ Vocabulary Glossary of Terms " The Safe Zone Project.” The Safe Zone Project, Hues Global Justice Collective, 2021.

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