By intentionally creating these sessions, we hope to model what true inclusivity looks like: acknowledging the unique needs of people with marginalized identities while empowering allies to support from their own lanes. Arianna de la Mancha Sam Akers, MSW March … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
There’s Still Time for Biden to Sign the ERA and Prohibit Discrimination Based on Sex
There’s little over a month left for Biden to take action to ensure gender equality is enshrined in our Constitution. Mimi Jacobie Mackenzie Piper, MPH, CHES Gina Desiderio, MA December 12, 2024 Tuesday, December 10, Congresswoman Cori Bush held a … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
We’re All Needed in the Fight to Protect Trans Young People
This Transgender Day of Remembrance, let’s honor those we’ve lost and redouble our commitments to giving trans young people the affirming support and care they need to thrive. Charlie Blue Brahm, MA November 14, 2024 Immediately following Transgender Awareness Week, … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Celebrating AANHPI Month
Cultural Experiences, Shared Identities, and Everything, Everywhere, All At Once By April “Kayuri” Lat, MS MPP By Patricia Natalie, MA May 28, 2024 C heck out this video blog post, where April and Patricia discuss their shared identities as Southeast … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Save the Date! May Is Sex Ed for All Month!
Each May since 2019, Sex Ed for All Month is an opportunity to voice our shared commitment to a world where all young people get equitable access to the education and care they deserve. April 18, 2024 The seasons are … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Sex Education Is Essential (Sex Ed for All Talking Points)
Together, by advocating in our communities, we can ensure Sex Ed for All. April 16, 2024 As April starts to wind down, and as we look ahead to the start of May on the horizon, we wanted to take a … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
How to Masturbate: Everything You Need to Know About Self Pleasure
Two Healthy Teen Network team members shared tips for self-pleasure in the queer online publication, them. April 4, 2024 We’re excited to share a new article from them that features two of our team members, Arianna and Caro, with tips … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
To Be Who They Are. To Live. To Thrive. These Are the Basic Human Rights Denied to Nex Benedict.
The assault on Nex Benedict was not unprecedented. It was precedented by the hateful rhetoric and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, pushed through by extremists in Oklahoma, and across the country. By Gina Desiderio Updated March 14, 2024 The latest update on the cause … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Anti-Trans and Anti-LGBTQ Policies Threaten the Safety and Well-Being of Young People
Trans youth—like all young people—deserve to live in a world that affirms and celebrates them for who they are. By Charlie Blue Brahm, MA November 9, 2023 It’s been almost four months since the Department of Education in my home … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Protecting Transgender Youth and Young Adults in Maryland
Get the latest scoop on the Trans Health Equity Act in Maryland and what you can do to show up for the trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive young people—and adults—in your life. By Mariah Cowsert August 31, 2023 While Pride month … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Let’s Talk Inclusivity… in Birth Control!
We need to be mindful of our language to ensure that we’re reaching young people of all genders. By Vanessa Geffrard July 13, 2023 As health educators, it’s likely that we’ll teach a lesson, or answer questions about, birth control … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Give Your Contraceptive Lessons a Refresh
Support your students to feel informed and in control of their health! By Allison Tomai Felsen June 23, 2023 As part of its efforts to bring the very best sexual health education to Maryland youth, True You Maryland, a program … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
May Is National Sex Ed for All Month (2023)
Community Leaders, Parents, and Guardians Lend Their Voice to Promote #SexEdForAll May 3, 2023 For Immediate Release B altimore, MD — May is Sex Ed For All Month, a time community leaders, caring adults, and advocates call on local school … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Conversations Between Grandparents and Grandchildren: Love, Relationships, and Human Sexuality
Generation to generation, we can all learn from each other’s stories and experiences By Deborah Chilcoat, MEd January 13, 2023 I Googled “grandparents as sex educators” today. I wanted to write about the role grandparents play in educating their grandchildren about … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Daring to Dream at #HealthyTeen22
Thank you for daring to dream with us in Miami! November 4, 2022 During our staff meeting before the conference, we asked everyone to share one thing they were excited about for this year’s conference. Every single person mentioned they … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Navigating Sexuality + Faith for Better Sex Ed
Gender & Sexuality
What’s Next in the Endless Attack on Our Rights and Freedoms?
Our freedom, our rights, are being restricted by a radical minority that does not represent the majority of Americans. By Gina Desiderio June 27, 2022 Like many of you, here at Healthy Teen Network, we’re feeling the weight of the … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
What We’re Watching this Pride Month (and beyond!)
Gender & Sexuality
May Is National Sex Ed for All Month (2022)
Community Leaders, Parents, and Guardians Lend Their Voice to Promote #SexEdForAll May 2, 2022 For Immediate Release B altimore, MD — May is Sex Ed For All Month, a time parents, guardians, teachers, community leaders, and advocates call on local … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Reclaiming Your Sexuality After Trauma
This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, let’s emphasize survivors’ right to joy and pleasure after sexual trauma. By Mariah Cowsert April 15, 2022 I remember learning about it during welcome week at my tiny liberal arts college in the form of cheesy … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Comprehensive Means Intersectional: Moving Sex Education Forward
If youth don’t have equal access to comprehensive sex ed, then it is not intersectional. And it’s on us to change that. March 10, 2022 Intersectional sex ed is possible, but what does that mean? Sex ed should be as robust … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
We Found Love in a COVID Place
Alexa, play We Found Love by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris By Mariah Cowsert January 13, 2022 It all started with a message on a dating app. Once our conversations got longer, we moved from messaging in the app to texting … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Essential Tips You Need to Teach LGBTQ+-Inclusive Sex Ed
All students deserve to learn in an inclusive and affirming space. By Allison Tomai Felsen December 9, 2021 Did you know that out of the 29 states that require sex ed to be taught in school, only 17 states require … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
5 Sexual and Reproductive Health Podcasts that You Should Be Listening to
A list for you to tune into while working out, getting work done, or simply lounging around! By Mariah Cowsert November 23, 2021 While it may seem that there is a podcast about anything these days, it’s incredible to have … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
These Two Designers Published a Visual Guide to Gender Fluidity
Gender & Sexuality
GSAs Are Where LGBTQ+ Youth & Allies Come Together
With more youth feeling free to live their authentic sexualities and build relationships that reflect that, it’s up to educators and youth-supporting professionals to keep up momentum for supporting LGBTQ+ young people in schools By Mariah Cowsert June 30, 2021 … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
10 Ways to Help Young People Become Good Sexual Citizens: How Myth Busting and Youth Empowerment Increases Safety
Following these steps is a really effective way to guide young people towards becoming good sexual citizens. By Ellen Friedrichs, MA March 12, 2021 Recently, I was Zoom teaching a college class, and I asked my students to share any … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Fear and Loathing in Scranton, Pennsylvania
Strange memories on this nervous night near Scranton, in coal-scarred, Appalachian foothills filled with autumn color and political angst By Nicholas Sufrinko November 2, 2020 Strange memories on this nervous night near Scranton. Five years since Obergefell. Four since Election … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
The future of sex through tech…which is much closer than you may think
We’re kicking off the conference with our keynote, Andrea Barrica, sex tech entrepreneur and founder of O.school and the author of Sextech Revolution: the Future of Sexual Wellness. October 15, 2020 From sexting, to dating apps, and watching porn, young people are … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Too Much and Not Enough
Ginsburg’s death showcases how so many members of Congress and our government branches are failing us. She was more than enough. They are nowhere near enough. By Gina Desiderio September 22, 2020 It feels like too much. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Helping LGBTQ+ Youth Navigate COVID-19
While we all try to adjust to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, some young people are disproportionately affected. By Allison Tomai Felsen July 24, 2020 W ell, here we are. It’s almost August and we’re still battling the COVID-19 … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Healthy Teen Network Joins Over 50 Organizations in Calling for LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Education this Pride Month
The Sex Education Collaborative envisions a world in which all young people’s right to comprehensive, high-quality sex education is recognized and fulfilled. June 22, 2020 For Immediate Release Baltimore, MD — Today, Healthy Teen Network is proud to join over 50 organizations … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
#HealthyTeen20 Is Going Virtual!
This year, our theme represents a very clear need to understand how our field is reaching those we serve and how teens are using technology to connect to the world around them. Janet Max, MPH, CHES September 22, 2020 J oin … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
The Algorithm Police: Are Social Media Policies Biased?
Social media algorithms may be biased against plus-sized bodies, LGBTQ+ people, and women of color. By Ella Dorval Hall February 20, 2020 We frequently get caught up in assessing the negative effects of social media for young people, particularly when … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
It’s time for sexual health to get a little bit kinky.
Here are some of the things we have learned from having conversations about sexual health with young people. Washington, DC’s premier leather, kink, and fetish event known as “Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend (MAL)” concluded last Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Why do we NEED to talk about technology and sexuality?
Gender & Sexuality
It’s Pride Month! 5 Queer Reads for Allies in Honor of Stonewall’s 50th
For Nick, this short list highlights how the existence of queer people is inherently political and how there is still work to be done. By Nicholas Sufrinko June 5, 2019 This month marks a full half-century since the Stonewall Uprising, … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
Innovative Solutions for How to Center Pleasure in Sex Ed: Wrapping Up the #HealthyTeen18 Design Challenge
How might we center pleasure in adolescent sex ed to foster authentic conversations about sexuality and promote positive sexual experiences? November 15, 2018 This was the question we sought to answer in the #HealthyTeen18 Design Challenge, held in October 2018 … Read More
Gender & Sexuality
5 Resources on Being Sex-Positive
We’ve compiled this list of five resources and articles to give you a good overview of what it means to be sex-positive—and some ways to defend the importance of such an approach. By Kelly Connelly June 15, 2017 We are … Read More