for parents

why does inclusive
sex ed matter?

Why do we have to talk about sex with young people? And how do we know when it’s time to start talking about it?

We have an abundance of research that shows that comprehensive sex education programs reduce sexually risky behaviors and support positive sexual health outcomes for adolescents. These outcomes include:

Delaying the age of first sexual intercourse
Reducing the overall number of sexual partners
Reducing condomless sex and increasing use of contraception
Reducing unintended teen pregnancy
Reducing rates of teen HIV and other STIs

Source: CDC, 2024

However, there are major gaps in traditional sex ed & healthcare access, especially for LGBTQ+ kids, and the amount of anti-sex ed legislation is on the rise. 55% of Americans report that they never had “the talk” with their parents, and 56% reported that they only received sex education in one school year¹. LGBTQ+ students are also 50% more likely than their non-LGBTQ+ peers to report that their sex education in school was not useful².

Due to inadequate sex ed, LGBTQ+ youth are more likely to seek out information about sex online, which is often inaccurate or developmentally inappropriate. Queer and trans youth are more likely than cisgender & heterosexual teens to engage in sexually risky behaviors, contract an STI, engage in sex work, or experience intimate partner violence³.

Parents can play an important role in combatting these discrepancies that arise due to inadequate sex ed. How have you spoken to your child about sex before? How do you want to talk to them about sex in the future?

Sources: 1: SIECUS, 2025; 2: Greytak et. al, 2016; 3: GLSEN, 2021

how to start talking

Be open & nonjudgmental! Young folks are more likely to keep coming to you if they feel safe and supported.
Acknowledge gaps in traditional sex ed. Let them know it’s okay if what they’ve learned in school doesn’t reflect their experiences.
Emphasize consent, pleasure, & emotional well-being. LGBTQ+ youth deserve affirming, accurate, and shame-free information.
Meet them where they are. Some kids may be eager to talk, while others need time. Make it clear that this is an ongoing conversation, not a one-time talk.
Stay calm! If they share something surprising, take a breath and respond thoughtfully.
Respect their privacy. Let them share at their own pace; don’t push for details they aren’t ready to discuss.
Use media as a starting point. If direct conversations feel tough, use books, TV, movies, or news stories as a starting place.

conversation starters

"What kinds of things have you learned about sex and relationships so far? is there anything that doesn’t make sense to you?"
"A lot of the sex ed out there doesn’t really include LGBTQ+ people, and I want to make sure you have all the info you need. Is there anything you’ve been wondering about?"
"Sex ed usually assumes everyone’s body works the same way, but that’s not true. Would it be helpful if we talked about how gender-affirming care (like hormones or surgery) can affect sexual health?"
"I’ve been learning about LGBTQ+ sexual health, and I found some great resources. Would you be interested in checking them out?"
"I want to make sure you have the information you need to have safe, positive, and respectful experiences when the time comes."