Did you know that May is Sex Ed for All Month? May is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean we have to stop advocating for all young people to receive reliable, accurate, comprehensive sex education.

Sex Ed for All Month was created by the Sex Education Collaborative (SEC), which is composed of 28 national, regional and state organizations who train educators to provide school- and community-based sex education. They focus on providing sex ed that is culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate, medically accurate and inclusive of all young people. With increased attacks on truth by a small but vocal community, now more than ever we need to stand up for young people’s right to this education. Young people deserve facts, not fear!

A few important points from the SEC:

• Research shows that comprehensive sex education leads to better health outcomes, heathier relationships and safer communities. It addresses a wide range of topics in age-appropriate ways to help keep young people safe, healthy and happy.
• Sex ed leads to lower rates of sexually transmitted infections and fewer unintended pregnancies. It also leads to better body image, more empathy and respect for others, better communication skills, better management of feelings, better sense of self-control and safety, prevention of child sex abuse as well as dating and intimate partner violence, better understanding of gender equity and appreciation of sexual diversity and more protection against mis/disinformation.
• Despite loud but small opposition, parents overwhelmingly support comprehensive sex education in schools, which emphasizes and supports family communication about sex and relationships. Sex education at school supports sex education at home.
• Sex education that includes LGBTQ+ identities has been shown to reduce bullying, discrimination and harassment, making schools safer for all youth.
• Major medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, support sex education as essential public health policy.

Access to comprehensive sex education provides a foundation that can allow teens to make the choices that are best for them when it comes to sexual health and relationships. It’s important that everyone—regardless of identity or background—has the opportunity to feel safe and understood.

Teens Speak Out

Here at Sex, Etc., we advocate for comprehensive sex ed. Below is what my fellow Teen Staff members had to say when it comes to why Sex Ed for All Month is something to celebrate!

Alena: Comprehensive sex education allows teens to make safe, responsible decisions that keep them and their partners safe. Having barriers to accessing contraception and education does nothing but harm the health of others.

Aparna: Sex Ed for All Month is something we have to keep fighting for. Learning about sex education within the context of various identities and groups encourages confidence and unity among every person in the conversation.

Avika: Sex education helps people understand their bodies. It can also encourage healthier relationships with others.

Elle: Sex Ed for All Month is increasingly important as we witness attacks on bodily autonomy and voting rights. It affirms the importance of sexual health education and the rights of individuals to make choices about their bodies.

Maya: I remember coming to my first Sex, Etc. orientation and feeling that I could finally shed discomfort or shame when talking about sex. Prior to receiving a comprehensive sex education, I always felt this sense of stigma around sex, and around my own sexuality. I thought that sex wasn’t something that was supposed to be talked about. Sex education empowered me to become more comfortable talking about sex and my own sexual identity. Because of this, I feel like I have more autonomy. Working in the sex ed space, I’ve seen how different systems of prejudice and oppression inhibit access to reproductive health resources and limit autonomy. To me, Sex Ed for All Month means a fundamental equalizer and tool for equality, breaking down barriers to make sure that everyone has the resources they need to make informed decisions about their body.

Naishu: In an age of widespread misinformation and censorship, education is the best form of protection. Now, more than ever, we’re seeing an effort being made by people in positions of power to reduce the amount of reliable, honest and factual information on sex and sexuality. Teenagers are some of the most vulnerable to this misinformation. We want answers, we want guidance and many are given very limited avenues through which to seek that guidance. That’s why Sex Ed for All Month is so essential. It helps draw attention to the importance of sex ed being accessible and comprehensive.

Riley: Sex ed for all means sharing comprehensive sex education with everyone, regardless of disabilities, social class, gender or race. Regardless of where people currently stand on engaging in sexual activity, everybody should know how to feel prepared, so they can keep themselves happy and safe!

Siyona: I personally feel that Sex Ed for All Month is extremely important because of how advocacy for sex ed has impacted my life. As someone dealing with PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS), I know that research on reproductive healthcare is minimal; we need more light shed on the issue.

Vedha: Sex ed is great and people shouldn’t censor important things!

Zaynab: Sex ed is important because as teenagers grow up, so do our bodies. Without comprehensive sex education, many teenagers wouldn’t know why. They wouldn’t understand the different things they feel and how to act on their feelings, especially in a safe manner.

These comments attest to the importance of sex ed for all! When it comes to sex ed, it’s crucial to create a welcoming place for all to learn and better understand themselves.

How do you support sex ed for all?