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, 2024The latest update on the cause of Nex...
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 CowsertAugust 31, 2023While Pride month has already wrapped up this Summer,...
6 Storytelling Lessons Learned while Creating the Casey Young Parents Stories.By Patricia Natalie, MA June 8, 2023When I first joined Healthy Teen Network in March 2022, my first project was to “create stories about young parents that can affect policy change.” Wow, I...
Whether it is crisis hotlines, toolkits, trainings, or support groups, there are ways to get youth connected to mental health resources today.By Mackenzie Piper March 6, 2023Many years ago, I still remember being introduced to a short story titled “Why is Jason in the...
Resources and information from a recent True You Maryland training to help support the mental health and safety of your students.By Allison Tomai Felsen January 5, 2023Talking about sexuality in the classroom can be awkward! We’ve all been there. But there’s a...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Well visits are a good venue for routine and COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as a variety of important screenings and assessmentsMay 19, 2021With the decline in routine pediatric immunizations and well-child visits during the COVID-19 pandemic, Healthy Teen Network...
![“Not [explicative] normal:” Crafting Group Agreements for Good Colleagues during COVID-19](https://www.healthyteennetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/My-Post-10-400x250.png)
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...
In the midst of a global pandemic and stressful times, we must remember that if we arent caring for ourselves, we can't keep caring for everything else. By Carol Partonen August 12, 2020It’s been quite a year, hasn’t it? A global pandemic. Political upheaval. Civil...
In addition to violence prevention, comprehensive sex education is a powerful vehicle for addressing reproductive justice, gender equity, LGBTQ+ equality, and power and oppression.By Rebekah L. Rollston, MD, MPHMay 27, 2020It’s #SexEdForAll month, yet most people...
Schools might not be open during the pandemic. This doesn't mean that students should miss out on comprehensive sex education. By Gina Desiderio May 4, 2020A global pandemic, mandated stay-at-home orders, and extended periods of being isolated can shine a light on...
Over 180 groups have signed on to the #SexEdForAll Call to Action to demand funding and legislation to ensure every student receives quality sex ed.May 4, 2020 For Immediate ReleaseB altimore, MD—May is Sex Ed for All Month, an initiative spearheaded by a coalition of...
During the pandemic, many places are deeming abortion a "non essential" service. We know that abortion is essential healthcare.By Minyan Watson-FaulknerApril 16, 2020D uring the COVID-19 crisis, I have heard so many different things around what is essential or...
We wanted to create a virtual tool that educators and students love. The goal is to help young people create a plan for a healthy future.March 26, 2020Looking for a way to engage the young people you work with while maintaining social distancing? Consider using Volt20...
Introduced during Sex Ed for All Month, education legislation will empower young people with information and accessMay 16, 2019For Immediate ReleaseW ashington, DC — Earlier this week, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Real Education for Healthy Youth...
Key education legislation to be introduced during month of May May 1, 2019 For Immediate ReleaseW ashington, DC — Today, reproductive health and rights groups dedicated to improving sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice for all, launched Sex Ed For All...
Do we need a ribbon to help support the cause of teen pregnancy prevention and supporting pregnant and parenting teens? Will a pervasive symbol help motivate people to support our cause? By Gina DesiderioFebruary 8, 2012Last week, the Susan G. Komen Foundation...
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