It’s not about getting it perfect but about becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. Megan Thomas June 26, 2025 Something revolutionary happened to me the other day: As I was stretching just before bed, I leaned down and touched my toes. … Read More
Social Justice
You Don’t Need a Rainbow Flag to Celebrate Pride
Whatever constraints you’re under, focus on how you can show up for LGBTQ+ young people (and uplift their peers along the way). Charlie Blue Brahm, MA June 18, 2025 It’s Pride Month, y’all! In the United States, June is an … Read More
Social Justice
5 Trans-Affirming Actions for Pride 2025
The current attacks against transgender, non-binary, and intersex people seek to deny us our rights and eradicate our communities. Here’s how you can help. Dr. Eli R. Green June 12, 2025 In the current times, it is not uncommon for … Read More
Social Justice
Comfort in Cut Fruit; Confusion Around Flavored Condoms
Growing up Asian means learning love through quiet acts—and navigating shame around the things we don’t talk about. Patricia Natalie, MA May 29, 2025 I was 21 the first time I saw a flavored condom. My college resident assistant casually … Read More
Social Justice
Consent in Gaming Matters
If we’re serious about helping young people navigate consent in real life, then we have to pay attention to the media they’re consuming. April “Kayuri” Lat, MS, MPP May 15, 2025 If you know me, you know I could talk … Read More
Social Justice
The Power of Believing in Young People
Young parents’ voices matter, their struggles are valid, and their dreams are achievable. Lolita-Smith Moore April 24, 2025 A t Healthy Teen Network, we believe every young person has the right to make choices about their bodies, relationships, and futures, … Read More
Social Justice
Can This Board Game Help Youth-Supporting Professionals Gain Clarity, Drive Change, and Collaborate? We Think So.
Game Designer shares the rich, layered flavors of Thrivopolis’ secret sauce Nick Sufrinko April 17, 2025 B ack in the age of dinosaurs, I was racking up an abundance of art history credits at a football-obsessed state university in the … Read More
Social Justice
Change Is a Sign of Life
When things feel overwhelming or tiring, remember your “why.” Asari Offiong, PhD, MPH April 4, 2025 W hen times feel difficult, it can be helpful to reflect on why we do this work. Find inspiration and remember your “why” in … Read More
Social Justice
Holding Space at #HealthyTeen25
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
Social Justice
Women of Color Who Have Pioneered in Sexual and Reproductive Health
Honoring Black women who have paved the way Jerrica Davis, MPH March 13, 2025 A s we close out Black History Month and welcome Women’s History Month, it seemed fitting to highlight a few women of color who have been … Read More
Social Justice
4 Banned Black Novels for Students to Explore
Reclaiming our power, one banned book at a time Celease Jordan March 6, 2025 B lack History Month may be over, but I want to highlight some of my favorite novels by remarkable Black authors. Specifically, I want to shine … Read More
Social Justice
Empowering Young People with the Knowledge They Need: Contraceptive Education for Those Involved with Child Welfare
Young people involved with the child welfare system are resilient, but they need the right tools and support to thrive. Katie Massey Combs, PhD January 30, 2025 Though research has documented disproportionate rates of sexual and reproductive health outcomes like … Read More
Social Justice
Working in the Aftermath: How Texas Social Services Providers are Navigating Services Post Roe
A new report highlights six ways abortion restrictions are influencing social service providers’ work Katie Massey Combs January 9, 2025 Although social service providers are not directly linked to reproductive health care and abortion, by the nature of their primary … Read More
Social Justice
We Stand Firm in Our Commitment to Reproductive Justice and Human Dignity for All People
In times of conflict and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to affirm our commitment to these principles December 18, 2024 At Healthy Teen Network, we stand firm in our commitment to reproductive justice and human dignity for all … Read More
Social Justice
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
Social Justice
Defend LGBTQ+ Rights by Creating Inclusive Learning Spaces
Learn more—and get resources—about how to create affirming spaces for your students. By Allison Tomai Felsen June 15, 2023 The onslaught of attacks on the basic human right for people to exist just continues to be exhausting. Banning books, censoring … Read More
Social Justice
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
Social Justice
Anti-Fat Bias Is Pervasive and Insidious: Combating Its Harm in Sexual Health & Education
“Every time we point out stigma and name it as unfair, it loses its validity, and in turn, its power.” By Yesi Llerenas Daniel (they/elle) By Maria Peñas (she/her) Educators with Responsible Sex Education Institute June 27, 2022 Content Warning: This blog … Read More
Social Justice
The Right to Bodily Autonomy Shouldn’t Vary by ZIP Code
Abortion is still legal. And we must fight to keep it that way. By Gina Desiderio May 3, 2022 Bodily autonomy—the right to make decisions about your own body, including decisions about if, when, and how to parent—is a right. … Read More
Social Justice
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
Social Justice
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
Social Justice
3 Instagram Accounts to Follow to Learn about Reproductive Justice
Social media can be more than algorithms and explore pages—it can be a spring board into action, a connecting place for activists, and a place for inspiration and growth. By Sam Akers February 3, 2022 As a Gen Z’er who … Read More
Social Justice
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
Social Justice
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
Social Justice
Accessing Contraception During COVID-19
Ensuring that youth have access to the services they need is a core principle of reproductive justice—one that we must continue to strive towards and build upon. By Tonyé Fohsta-Lynch, MPH April 15, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has essentially changed our everyday … Read More
Social Justice
Sexual and Reproductive Health Policies Affecting Youth: A Look at What’s Ahead
Newly-inaugurated President Joe Biden has reversed several policy decisions of former President Trump that had curtailed the sexual and reproductive rights of women and girls. Bob Reeg, MPA, CVA February 2, 2021 As the saying goes, “elections have consequences.” No … Read More
Social Justice
President Biden’s Executive Actions on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Are a Good First Step
Repro Blueprint First Priorities lays out more to do to advance access January 28, 2021 For Immediate Release Healthy Teen Network applauds President Biden for taking the first steps to undo the harms of the previous administration’s dangerous and restrictive policies … Read More
Social Justice
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
Social Justice
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
Social Justice
What am I willing to do differently to support Black lives?
Reproductive justice depends on defending the needs of women of color and other marginalized people, including trans people. Here are some individual actions that we can take to support Black lives and strive for justice in all aspects. By Ella … Read More
Social Justice
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
Social Justice
Today, we pause…
Racism is a persistent social toxin in our society. The ongoing and disparate impacts of racism demand our attention, now. June 2, 2020 I n recognition of #BlackoutTuesday and in support of #BlackLivesMatter, we are pausing our regular communications. Today, … Read More
Social Justice
Education Legislation Will Empower Young People
Introduced during Sex Ed for All Month, education legislation will empower young people with information and access May 16, 2019 For Immediate Release W ashington, DC — Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act … Read More
Social Justice
Sexual & Reproductive Health Is a Social Justice Issue with Public Health Impacts #NPHW19
#NPHW19 is calling for conversations! We believe that adolescent sexual and reproductive health is a social justice issue with public health impacts. March 28, 2019 Next week is National Public Health Week 2019, or #NPHW19, sponsored by the American Public Health … Read More
Social Justice
2019 #RJResolutions
Healthy Teen Network joined SisterSong and many others on January 1st for a tweetstorm to talk about our reproductive justice resolutions for this coming year. By Allison Tomai Felsen January 2, 2019 What are your hopes, goals, and vision for … Read More
Social Justice
Today, I choose to be hopeful.
There were some small wins in this midterm election. They might help us get a little bit close to dismantling the patriarchy and adjusting an imbalance of power. By Gina Desiderio September 28, 2018 Today, I choose to be hopeful. … Read More