Equal Health’s Post

🌟 Let's Talk About Sexual Health! 🌈 Did you know that STIs disproportionately affect young people? In the U.S. alone, nearly half of all new infections in 2018 occurred among individuals aged 15-24. 🚨 This statistic underscores the urgent need for comprehensive sexual health education and accessible resources for youth.  ✨ As members of the LGBTQ+ community, it's vital that we prioritize our sexual health and well-being. By staying informed, practicing safe sex, and getting tested regularly, we can take proactive steps to protect ourselves and our partners. 💪 Let's break the stigma surrounding STIs and foster open, honest conversations about sexual health. Together, we can create a safer and healthier future for all. 💖 Find a center closest to you by searching on Google for "STI Testing Near Me"  #SexualHealth #STIAwareness #SafeSex #YouthHealth #SexEducation #HealthEducation #EndTheStigma #HealthyChoices #KnowYourStatus #PEBS Image description: Pink and violet gradient background featuring facts about STD Awareness Month.

Last week, I taught a workshop at the DC JCC's "Adulting" night - an evening of "life hack workshops" for young professionals - called "Not Your HS Sex Ed." Why? 👎 Only 29 states and DC require that sex ed be taught in schools 👎 16 states require abstinence-only education 👎 13 states do not require sex ed to be medically accurate or evidence-based 👎 6 states require content that discriminates against LGBTQ people ...it just gets worse and worse! Chances are, you did not get comprehensive sexual health education growing up. As our schools fail us, we are left to learn about this essential topic on our own as adults. My crash course covered the sexual health basics that adults should know: 😍 Pleasure 💬 Communication ☔ Protection 🤗 Taking care of yourself Of course, it was non-judgmental, inclusive, and fun! Did you learn about sexual health growing up? What do you wish you knew before graduating high school? Know a group of youth or adults who could benefit from my content? Let's talk!

📢 Brook's consultation response guide is here The Government is asking for people to respond to a national consultation on the draft Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance. It is really important that the new Government hears from everyone who is interested in and affected by RSHE in schools, including young people, parents/carers and teachers; and from everyone who works in sexual health, safeguarding or with young people in other ways. We have developed guidance to support you with completing this consultation, and have provided our own views below. You may agree or disagree with our perspective, but by sharing your experience, whether in a professional capacity or lived experience (as a young person, parent, LGBT+ person), you will help to shape the future of RSHE. https://lnkd.in/eJSkKzu3

You've got two weeks left to respond to the DfE's consultation on the revised Relationships Sex Health Education statutory guidance. The guidance has come under wide criticism from organisations across health, education, safeguarding, VAWG and equalities. Your voice, your professional expertise and/or your lived experience are valuable too. Find out more and respond yourself using this handy explainer.

*ONE WEEK LEFT to respond to the RSHE guidance consultation* The Government is asking for people to respond to a national consultation on the draft Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) guidance. It is really important that the new Government hears from everyone who is interested in and affected by RSHE in schools, including young people, parents/carers and teachers; and from everyone who works in sexual health, safeguarding or with young people in other ways. We have developed guidance to support you with completing this consultation, and have provided our own views below. You may agree or disagree with our perspective, but by sharing your experience, whether in a professional capacity or lived experience (as a young person, parent, LGBT+ person), you will help to shape the future of RSHE. https://lnkd.in/eJSkKzu3

Exploring The Hidden Links Between Shame, Sexuality, And Religion by Nick McGowan “I am a psychotherapist and a small private practice business owner. We focus on queer community, non-monogamy, sexual health, and sexual positivity.” Episode summary: In this episode, Nick speaks with Ann Russo, a psychotherapist and entrepreneur, about her work with diverse communities and her experience with religious shame and sexuality. They discuss the intersection of […] #boomers #babyboomers

Last month I was lucky to attend the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) 2024 Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, and wow, what an experience! 🎉 This year's theme, "All Together Now: Lifting Our Voice for Community," was incredibly relevant. Seeing all bodies, races, ages, genders, and sexual orientations coming together to protect our freedoms is so encouraging. It was so fantastic to see everyone collaborating and learning together. Here's a rundown of the sessions I attended: Thursday: - Sex on the Spectrum: Navigating Intimacy With Autism - Let's Talk About Size Diversity in Sex: A Collaborative Exploration of the Known, Unknown, and Bias - General Plenary: Intersex Narratives: Navigating Identity, Advocacy, and Sexual Health - Stigma, Disability, Sexuality: Using Language and Values Clarification to Enhance Your Practice Friday: - Inclusive BIPOC LGBTQ+ and Kinky Sexual Health: Recommendations for Education, Training & Practice - Trauma Sits in Your Body and Makes You Shut Down - Finding the Room Next Door (to the Room Where It Happens) Saturday: - Intersectional Treatment Approach: Assessing Sexual Dysfunction and Preventing Early Onset Psychosis Big shoutout to UW Madison and Sex Out Loud for making this possible! This conference was an amazing opportunity to learn from experts and gain diverse perspectives on sexual health. I came away with so many new insights and ideas that I can’t wait to explore further. 💡 Let’s keep lifting our voices and pushing for collective liberation. 🌍💬 #AASECT2024 #SexualHealth #Community #Advocacy #Inclusion #Diversity #ProfessionalDevelopment

LGBTQ+ youth deserve comprehensive and inclusive sex education, just like everyone else. This means learning about: Healthy relationships: Consent, communication, and respect for all identities. Sexual orientation and gender identity: Accurate information free from stigma and discrimination. Safer sex practices: Protecting themselves and their partners from STIs and unwanted pregnancy. Inclusive sex education empowers LGBTQ+ youth to make informed choices about their health and well-being. Let's advocate for education that celebrates diversity and keeps all young people safe! #LGBTQIA #SexEdForAll #InclusiveEducation

This is a great article from Health and Wellness about the importance of sexual equality for people with disabilities. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ePucdzkF

R U OK? - Today, is an important day in the calendar for the community. Everyone goes through tough times in life when we need support and our LGBTIQA+ friends sometimes have to deal with added challenges. An R U OK? conversation can make a difference when someone is struggling and you don’t have to be an expert to show you genuinely care. Those who are lesbian, gay, bi, trans/transgender, intersex, queer or questioning, and asexual (LGBTIQA+) and sexuality, gender and bodily diverse might be subject to minority stress, prejudice, discrimination, violence or abuse. These factors mean LGBTIQA+ people can be more likely to experience depression and anxiety and be at risk of self-harm and suicide. We can all play a role in supporting our friends by being a safe, welcoming space for them to turn to for support and for you to genuinely engage with them in an R U OK? conversation. It is important these conversations happen whenever we spot the signs someone in our world might be struggling. For further LGBTIQA+ resources about this important day, please go to the following link 👇🏽 https://lnkd.in/eZrMrQQF #ruok #mentalhealth #health #lgbtqia