School is an opportunity to prepare children for success both now and later in life. Being able to make informed choices about sexual behavior and reproductive health is a big part of that. Events such as unintended pregnancies and contracting STDs can drastically alter the course of a young person’s life. Schools can help inform students through age-appropriate and inclusive reproductive education programs.
The specific focus of this blog is on how LGBTQ youth experience reproductive education in middle and high school. There is a multitude of research and opinions on the topic of reproductive and health education in public schools. Although our society is slowly becoming more aware and accepting of LGBT-related issues such as marriage equality, schools have been slow to adopt health curriculum that is reflective of this national trend.
On the surface, this inequality affects students who identify as LGBTQ and are exposed to non-inclusive health curriculum. LGBT students are marginalized in their own classrooms and their educational needs go unmet. However, the damage goes much deeper than just this specific population. When all students are taught to ignore LGBT-related issues when it comes to sex and health, they are placed at an educational disadvantage. They are underprepared for establishing personal and professional relationships with LGBTQ youth and do not have the opportunity to learn about and consider accepting LGBTQ peers and others.
LGBTQ Sex Education 