Let's Talk About... Blog

The issue of how to talk to our kids about sex can be a complicated one for everyone, for parents of queer youth, doing so can raise some additional issues. So, here are 5 things parents of LGBT teens can keep in mind when gearing up for the sex talk.

We believe parents can start educating children about consent and empowerment as early as 1 year old and continuing into the college years. It is our sincere hope that this education can help us raise empowered young adults who have empathy for others and a clear understanding of healthy consent.

These days, most parents understand that covertly placing a children’s book about reproduction on the end of the bed does not count as sex education, but we’re often confused about what is the right age to have The Talk with kids.

For a long time, my frame of reference for kid-appropriate discussions of gender has been the simple penis=boy/vulva=girl model from my own childhood. But I’ve been adamant about not wanting to teach that to my son.

As a parent, I am already doing my best to encourage sex positive attitudes in my children, even if they are too young to know what sex is.

Let’s face it: regardless of whether or not we are teaching our kids about sex, they are learning about sex. And what they are learning – from the media, friends, and the Internet – may not be accurate, nor reflect the values we have and want to impart to our children.

I’ve seen videos of kids covering their ears or running away.  Some of you have told me similar stories – that your child refuses to listen or flat out tells you not to talk to them about sex. So what do you do when they are more uncomfortable than you are?

It’s really easy! Just use my magic formula: Facts + Values.

Do you know who gives HPV to most women and girls? The answer is men and boys! Make sure your boy has started his HPV vaccine regime by age 12 at the latest and completes the series of three shots.

Most of our teens are not having sex, and the vast majority of those who are sexually active are taking steps to protect their health and prevent pregnancy. Buried in the “good news,” though, is an extremely disturbing nugget of information: 18% of the boys surveyed said they would be a “little pleased” or “very pleased” if their sexual encounters resulted in a pregnancy.