Finding affirming, sex-positive, complete, and up-to-date information on monkeypox isn’t easy. Here’s a story about some of my sources, expected and unexpected, and the power of queer friendship.By Nicholas Sufrinko August 11, 2022Information that’s as incomplete as...
The Practical Application of the Young Parents Logic ModelBy Gina Desiderio By Milagros Garrido, MS, PMP July 22, 2022Young parents thrive when they have access to quality supports and services. The complicating factor is that these supports and services cross over so...
Our freedom, our rights, are being restricted by a radical minority that does not represent the majority of Americans. By Gina Desiderio June 27, 2022Like many of you, here at Healthy Teen Network, we’re feeling the weight of the Supreme Court decision last week to...
“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, 2022Content Warning: This blog mentions...
Abortion is still legal. And we must fight to keep it that way. By Gina Desiderio May 3, 2022Bodily autonomy—the right to make decisions about your own body, including decisions about if, when, and how to parent—is a right. None of us are free to live our authentic...
50 years later, we have much to celebrate with Title IX…but we still have a lot of work to support ongoing efforts for strong Title IX protections and enforcement.April 21, 2022"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation...
This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, let’s emphasize survivors' right to joy and pleasure after sexual trauma.By Mariah CowsertApril 15, 2022I remember learning about it during welcome week at my tiny liberal arts college in the form of cheesy skits about preventing...
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, 2022Intersectional sex ed is possible, but what does that mean? Sex ed should be as robust and diverse as young people are today. And it’s...
Sexting and digital consent are important topics to discuss with young peopleBy Allison Tomai Felsen February 17, 2022A study published in 2018 by JAMA Pediatrics found that sexting is becoming a more common practice among youth: about 1 in 7 adolescents reported that...
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 AkersFebruary 3, 2022As a Gen Z’er who has been scrolling Instagram for years, I’ve come...
If your work touches the lives of young people, these resources are for you.January 27, 2021W hen professionals have research-backed approaches handy, they can focus on what matters—encouraging young people to make healthy choices about their sexual and reproductive...
HPV vaccine resources to break down science with humor and honest answersBy Gina Desiderio January 20, 2022When it's time for their annual physical, the first question my kids ask me is if they have to get a shot. It's been a while since they've been due for one of...
Alexa, play We Found Love by Rihanna ft. Calvin HarrisBy Mariah CowsertJanuary 13, 2022It all started with a message on a dating app. Once our conversations got longer, we moved from messaging in the app to texting then after a fun phone call about life and how we...
All students deserve to learn in an inclusive and affirming space.By Allison Tomai Felsen December 9, 2021Did you know that out of the 29 states that require sex ed to be taught in school, only 17 states require the inclusion of LGBTQ+ topics? GLSEN’s National School...
Join us in welcoming Sam to the Healthy Teen Network family! By Deborah Chilcoat, MEd September 2, 2021How is it possible that rays of sunshine actually radiate through my monitor when I have Zoom meetings with our newest staff person, Sam Akers? Sam AkersSam joined...
Young parents and their families thrive when they get the supports and services they need…theYoung Parents Logic Model is the step-by-step tool to help you make that happen.By Gina Desiderio August 19, 2021Parents will be the first to tell you how hard it is—and I’m...
Ever wondered what “nonbinary” and “gender nonconforming” really mean? Or if it's grammatically correct to use “they” as a singular pronoun? You’re far from alone. Words By Ali CottongVisuals By Brooke ThyngAugust 12, 2021 Ever wondered what “nonbinary” and “gender...
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 schoolsBy Mariah CowsertJune 30, 2021Growing...
Anyone who works in schools, or with students in other educational settings, can benefit from learning more about Title IX protections.By Mariah CowsertJune 24, 2021When you hear “Title IX,” your mind likely goes first to sports. Indeed, today, more than 100,000 women...
I’m Just a Bill covers how a legislative bill makes its way to law. As a public policy advocacy practitioner for over 30 years, let me just say that how a bill becomes a law is more complicated than the short film conveys. By Bob Reeg, MPA, CVA June 3, 2021The I’m...
I have never liked the phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” I share this so what I write will not be dismissed as musings of a bubbly-happy-go-lucky-always-look-on-the-bright-side-of-life-optimist. By Lisa Schelbe, PhD, MSW May 27, 2021We must use a...
Well visits are a good venue for routine and COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as a variety of important screenings and assessmentsMay 19, 2021 With the decline in routine pediatric immunizations and well-child visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, Healthy Teen Network...
Together, We Can Ensure Equity and Access for AllMay 3, 2021For Immediate ReleaseB altimore, MD—May is Sex Ed For All Month, a national effort spearheaded by a coalition of sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations committed to ensuring...
Young people have a right to quality, affirming sex education...and regardless of political affiliation, parents and young people agreeBy Mariah CowsertMay 1, 2021Aworld where all young people lead healthy and fulfilling lives...that’s the dream, right? And it’s not...
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, 2021The COVID-19 pandemic has essentially changed our everyday...
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One year into all-remote work, Allison and Nick reflect on some ground rules they and Healthy Teen Network staff are committing to for working during these strange times.By Allison Tomai Felsen By Nicholas Sufrinko March 17, 2021Let’s face it, this year has been...
Following these steps is a really effective way to guide young people towards becoming good sexual citizens.By Ellen Friedrichs, MAMarch 12, 2021 Recently, I was Zoom teaching a college class, and I asked my students to share any questions they had about sexuality....
Well, really, relationships, love, and intimacy…By Milagros Garrido, MS, PMP February 11, 2021Worldwide, the pandemic has brought unexpected changes in the ways in which we work, learn, play, and love. I feel that in many ways, I am experiencing a pandemic-induced...
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, 2021As the saying goes, "elections have consequences." No...
Repro Blueprint First Priorities lays out more to do to advance access January 28, 2021For Immediate ReleaseHealthy Teen Network applauds President Biden for taking the first steps to undo the harms of the previous administration’s dangerous and restrictive policies...
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