But if you feel you have to respond, be polite and stick to the facts.By Allison Tomai Felsen August 4, 2022Ever heard the expression “don’t feed the trolls?” Maybe it was in a news article about the rise of clickbait posting and algorithms designed to show us content...
True You Maryland
Navigating Sexuality + Faith for Better Sex Ed
Religion and faith does play a role in shaping our views on sex and sexuality. By Allison Tomai Felsen July 14, 2022You might be thinking the same thing that I was when I first read the title and description to our recent training series—Demystifying Sexual Taboos:...
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, 2022Content Warning: This blog mentions...
Sex Ed? On TikTok?
It's more likely than you think.By Sam AkersMay 20, 2022Kids these days are all about TikTok, and I’ll admit it, I’m into it too! From watching morning routines to dances to Lizzo’s newest song, I love a good scroll. Social media provides a platform where people can...
Sex Education Is Essential
Together, by advocating in our communities, we can ensure Sex Ed for All.April 27, 2022As April winds down, and as we look ahead to the start of May next week, we wanted to take a moment to share with you the history behind May as Sex Ed for All Month. We also wanted...
May Is Sex Ed for All Month!
#SexEdForAll is an opportunity to adjust the lens through which we have historically viewed adolescent sexual and reproductive health and address more holistically the sex ed young people deserveMarch 25, 2022The seasons are changing, and May will be here before you...
Would you like FRIES with that?
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...
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, 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...
Brand Voice: The Make-or-Break Secret for Crafting Health Information that Inspires
How you say it matters now more than ever.By Nicholas Sufrinko October 1, 2021It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it—an adage said a zillion times over. And yet today, it’s one that’s felt with particular intensity and dismay across public health fields like...
To be or not to be (on camera)? That is the question….
Quick tips to build motivation to turn the camera on.By Valerie Sedivy, PhD July 15, 2021By far, the most common challenge we hear from facilitators working in virtual settings is that young people do not want to be on camera. There are so many reasons why this might...
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 schoolsBy Mariah CowsertJune 30, 2021Growing...
I’m Just a Bill: The Untold Story
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...
Lemonade Musings: Seeing Youths’ Strengths
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...
Adolescents & the COVID-19 Vaccine
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...
Sexual & Reproductive Health, Rights, & Justice Organizations Applaud Introduction of Legislation to Improve the Health & Well-Being of Young People
All young people deserve access to high-quality sex education and sexual health careMay 18, 2021For Immediate ReleaseWashington, D.C — Today, champions in Congress are introducing the Real Education and Access to Healthy Youth Act of 2021 (REAHYA). The bill, which is...
May is Sex Ed For All Month
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...
Parents and Youth Agree on Sex Ed for All
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...
Engaging Young People Virtually
Sharing what we’ve learned from our Power through Choices facilitators.By Valerie Sedivy, PhD February 16, 2021I know. You’re tired of Zoom, young people are tired of Zoom, and I’m tired of talking about how tired we all are of Zoom. (No shade to Zoom, by the way—it...
Love in the Time of COVID
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...
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