Core Boundaries for Youth Sexual Health Education

Starting From An Anti-Oppressive Foundation

For systemic change to be effective, it is imperative to first identify and understand the foundational principles, referred to herein as core boundaries, held by the Board as the foundation from which all engagement, action, and envisioning within the youth sexual health field must build from to be not only anti-oppressive, but liberating.

The delineation of these foundational principles as core boundaries is inspired by writer and activist adrienne maree brown’s description of the term in which she writes, “Your no makes the way for your yes. Boundaries create the container within which your yes is authentic. Being able to say no makes yes a choice.” 

The core boundaries honored throughout all aspects of the Board’s work in the development of this report create a basis for youth sexual health education that is inclusive, pleasure-based, aware of oppression, and accessible for all. These core boundaries contextualize the anti-oppressive recommendations developed by the Board and are embedded within the liberating practices as collaborative approaches that all partners should engage in for determining future action. Utilized collectively, the core boundaries, liberating practices and anti-oppressive recommendations lay the groundwork for establishing a new approach to implementing youth sexual health education in Colorado and should be embraced by all partners working to further the youth sexual health field in a liberating manner.