• Society and culture shape the way people learn and express their sexuality. The United States context focuses largely on risk reduction (i.e., avoiding unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases), while overlooking critical topics like relationship building skills, healthy relationships, and content related to sexual pleasure. This is especially true for LGBTQ youth and youth of color, who are largely left out of existing sex education.

    Young people deserve sex education that is relevant and useful to their lives. Talia Cardin, youth facilitator and co-leader of this project, summed it up stating, “I believe sex education is a vehicle for societal change, and an integral human right…Currently adults in positions of power are able to decide on our behalf what potentially life altering education and information we will engage with, without consulting us.”

    We must do better.

Culture Shift

The following isms impact the policies, practices, and norms that create the United States culture: adultism, classism, capitalism, colonialism, racism, patriarchy, heterosexism, transphobia, religionism, and ableism. This is not an exhaustive list. Visit the isms blog series to learn more.

These anti-oppressive recommendations are a starting point for partners across sectors to convene conversations to learn from one another, build awareness for anti-oppressive initiatives happening within the youth sexual health field, discuss opportunities for collaboration, and engage in action planning.

Recommendations for Anti-Oppressive Action

    • Make preparation inclusive of prevention:

      • Social emotional skills

      • Relationship skills

      • Consent

      • Knowing your body/self

    • Front load pleasure

      • Talk about pleasure before consent

      • Talk about masturbation before partnered sex

    • Does liberatory sex education include porn, erotica, and sex work?

      • Reframe conversations about these topics in a healthier way rather than punitively

        • Where do you find out if your porn is ethically sourced?

    • Acknowledge people that have been harmed by sexual violence and support negative experiences with sex and support healing

Building Awareness Across Initiatives

If you are leading an initiative or practice that is in alignment with the recommendations shared below, we want to hear about it, and would love to discuss how to elevate your work through this website and with partners.

If you would like a partner to explore and discuss these recommendations with, please contact Trailhead’s Youth Sexual Health Program team to connect.