Intro: Within our Nation, the overall structure and content within some aspects of our education system is lacking, one of those being sexual education programs. Sex Ed, whether it be taught in middle or high schools, often contains many flaws or topics that are merely forgotten. Though many programs have begun to move away from abstinence-only education, LGBTQ inclusive sex education is still very rare; in fact, there are even some states that require same-sex behavior to be taught in sex ed, but only in a negative manner. These non encompassing and invalidating programs prove to be very deleterious to LGBTQ youth for a wide variety of reasons. LGBTQ youth have severely high rates of mental illness and significantly higher rates of attempted and completed suicide than heteronormative youth. In terms of physical and sexual health, lesbian and bisexual women are at a much greater risk of contracting STI’s and having teen pregnancies than their heterosexual counterparts. Gay youth and adolescence on the other hand have accounted for a majority of new HIV contractions. These very preventable disparities can be connected to the improper sex education in schools or the lack thereof. Integrating sex education not only promotes a healthier lifestyle for LGBTQ youth, but it also enhances a more tolerant and knowledgeable environment where students can feel safe in their schools, and comfortable to reach out for support. Where this is not present, many problems can occur. Bullying and prejudice amongst LGBTQ teens is significanlty higher than that of heterosexual and cisgender youth, simple inclusivity within the education has proven to create tolerance. Additionally, when students do not feel comfortable seeking sex education from a teacher or a trusted adult (or if it’s simply not allowed) they often turn to the internet. Although the internet can provide positive and factual information, it can also be a very dangerous place for LGBTQ youth. All of these issues are preventable, at least to some extent, and this can be done by integrative and inclusive sex ed programs in schools nationwide.

 

Thesis: Sex ed in the United States must be not only comprehensive, but also LGBTQ inclusive in order to elimate a wide variety of diparities between LGBTQ and heterosexual cisgender youth including health (mental, physical, and sexual), bullying, and prejudice.  

 

Audience: [1] Potential policy-makers; state education departments that regulate, control, and make the requirements and standards for education. Because sex ed is often left up to the school district to decide, it can create inconsistent and various programs. If states mandate clear policies and regulations to the programs, it eliminates a lot of problems.      [2] Parents of LGBTQ youth, allies, and LGBTQ identified youth themselves who would likely rally around this idea and promote and enhance these presented ideas.

 

Current Standings of Sex Ed Across the Nation

• History and government involvement in sex ed programs
• Heteronormative sex ed, current and past examples
• Current sex and HIV education in each state

 

Health Disparities

 

• Mental Health

 

• • • Depression, anxiety levels of LGBTQ youth
    • Suicide rates for LGB youth is about 5x that of heterosexual youth, and trans teens are double that

 

• Sexual Health

 

• • Bisexual and Lesbian women are at much greater risk for STI’s and teen pregnancy than heterosexual counterparts
  • Gay men are at a much greater risk for HIV infection than heterosexual counterparts

 

Bullying and Prejudice

• LGBTQ youth experience severely more bullying in schools than heterosexual cisgender youth
• Even teachers partake in bullying on occasion
• How tolerance is related to increased education

 

Turning To the Internet

 

• Negatives

 

• • • (Fosters), turning to older LGBTQ people for experience, could result in dangerous situations
    • Information online may not be accurate or informative enough, or overdramatized (porn)

 

• Positives

 

• • Information online may be factual and helpful from reputable sources
  • Online Sex ed programs

 

Where We Could/ Should Be

• Gender and Sexual Orientation included in sex ed
• Teaching acceptance, tolerance, and consent from a young age (Canada)
• Funding for inclusive programs