About the LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Ed Week of Action

This Pride Month, things look pretty different. But even amid our current public health crisis, we are more committed than ever to celebrating, supporting, and advocating for LGBTQ+ young people everywhere. Right now, less than one in ten LGBTQ+ youth report receiving sex education that reflects their identities and needs. And most sex education programs are especially exclusive of transgender and gender nonconforming young people. But we know that LGBTQ+ inclusive sex education can provide life-saving affirmation for LGBTQ+ youth and help ensure their overall health and well-being. That’s why we’re inviting you to join our week of action. Together, let’s uplift the dire need for, and work to advance, LGBTQ+ inclusive sex education across the United States.

 

LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Ed Week of Action Schedule

See below for all events and activities scheduled to take place during our week of action. Please note: For our webinars, you must register ahead of time.

DateEvent DescriptionSpeakers
Monday 6/22/20Couch Conversations: Queer Liberation and JoySince we frequently talk about the oppression that LGBTQ+ young people experience when we have conversations about this population, we want to start the week of action with a celebration of Queerness. We can draw from this joy and use it to ground ourselves as we move through more difficult topics, to give us a guiding vision of why we do this work.Jennfer Driver (SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change); Dominique Morgan (Black and Pink); Preston Mitchum (URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity); Taissa Morimoto (The National LGBTQ Task Force); David Booth (Black and Pink)https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5nb4uqisa0vxarr/AABQznzu7HnFCx3YKTYpVFcMa/Monday%20Webinar%20Couch%20Conversations?dl=0&subfolder_nav_tracking=1
Tuesday 6/23/20LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex EducationIn this free webinar offering, GLSEN’s Education Manager, Becca Mui, will moderate a panel discussion with sexual health educators and LGBTQ+ students. We will share relevant research on LGBTQ sex ed, share resources and best practices for K-12 inclusion, and discuss school-based advocacy efforts. LGBTQ+ youth panelists will share their own experiences with sexual health education, their advocacy efforts, and what they want educators to know to better support them. Becca Mui (GLSEN)https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5nb4uqisa0vxarr/AAD7NypbENNdJngfyo3-FiQEa/Tuesday%20Webinar%20LGBTQ%2B%20Inclusive%20Sex%20Education?dl=0&subfolder_nav_tracking=1
Wednesday 6/24/20Risk and Protective Factors for LGBTQ Youth: Implications of COVID-19 and BeyondIn order to fully understand the impact of the policies proposed and implemented around LGBTQ+ sex ed, we'll talk to researchers who can share their work on LGBTQ+ mental health. The Trevor Project will give us insight into how the current situation has affected LGBTQ+ young people, while Dr. Poteat can talk about what does and doesn't make for a supportive school environment as we begin to return to the classroom this fall. Myeshia Price-Feeney, PhD (Trevor Project); Paul Poteat, PhD (Boston College)https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5nb4uqisa0vxarr/AAC5-xE53m_7-LV2oLJNZK9Ga/Wednesday%20Webinar%20Risk%20and%20Protective%20Factors%20for%20LGBTQ%20Youth%20Implications%20of%20COVID-19%20and%20Beyond?dl=0&subfolder_nav_tracking=1
Wednesday 6/24/20#PrideInSexEd Tweet StormJoin us on Twitter for a Tweet Storm at 2pm ET. We'll be discussing the need for LGBTQ+ inclusive sex education. Use and follow the hashtag #PrideInSexEd to participate.SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Changehttps://twitter.com/siecus
Thursday 6/25/20Still Here, Still Rising: Moving Forward from the 2020 Legislative SessionJoin us for a journey through the 2020 legislative session and beyond to explore how states have tried to erase queer and gender expansive identities. We’ll explore policies that impact LGBTQ+ youth and discuss how they frame the context that sex education occurs within, as well as highlight the importance of sex ed as a vehicle for social change. We’ll conclude with a discussion on how to move the dial toward supportive, inclusive policy that uplifts and centers LGBTQ+ young people.Noelle Summers (SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change); Ana Hernández (Equality Federation); Julie Wilensky (National Center for Lesbian Rights)https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5nb4uqisa0vxarr/AAAVxZ_HqRvftN4R4UinGbAba/Thursday%20Webinar%20Still%20Here%2C%20Still%20Rising%20Moving%20Forward%20from%20the%202020%20Legislative%20Session?dl=0&subfolder_nav_tracking=1
Friday 6/26/20Taking Action at Home: Building LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Ed in Your School DistrictAdvocacy experts across the country will walk us through best practices for school districts to create policies and implement LGBTQ+ Inclusive Sex Ed. This webinar will focus on actions that young people have taken in their districts and states, as well as guidance from the experts on best practices for school districts interested in developing inclusive policies and programs to support LGBTQ+ young people. Nora Gelperin (Advocates for Youth); Ames Simmons (Equality NC); Kaitlyn Marchesano (Planned Parenthood Federation of America)https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5nb4uqisa0vxarr/AAA-4rGdScWJ_f7S6toeeF-0a/Friday%20Webinar%20Taking%20Action%20at%20Home%20Building%20LGBTQ%2B%20Inclusive%20Sex%20Ed%20in%20Your%20School%20District?dl=0&subfolder_nav_tracking=1

 

Sign on to our Call to Action

We ask that all participating and/or supporting organizations sign on to our Call to Action. This serves as a manifesto, outlining the week of action’s goals and ideals.

Read the call to action here and sign your organization on in support.

 


Communications Toolkit

We’ve put together a communications toolkit to help partners and supporters spread word of our week of action far and wide. Check out the toolkit and share our suggested messaging, press release and email templates, and sample social media posts and graphics.