Safer Sex!
At the Youth Project we believe in inclusive and comprehensive sexual education for youth that centres conversations around consent, bodily autonomy, boundaries, and healthy relationships. A safer sex toolkit is a great way to stay informed, know your boundaries, practice consent, and keep yourself safer.Locally we know that youth are receiving inconsistent information about sexual health that doesn’t meet everyone’s needs or answer everyone’s questions. Sexual health should always prioritize unbiased information about bodies that actively includes information pertaining to the vast multitude of gender identities, sexual orientations, and diverse bodies through an anti-racist, anti-ableist, culturally relevant framework.
Conversations around sex that extend beyond assumptions of hetero/cisnormativity and harmful/oppressive established norms of ableism, fatphobia, and racism will equip everyone with safer tools to explore their sexuality, communicate their needs/boundaries, gain practical knowledge around preventing unintended pregnancy and contracting STBBI’s (sexually transmitted and blood borne infection), all while feeling empowered, autonomous,and supported through their journeys.
Additionally, we know that usually sex education uses gendered, anatomical language that can sometimes cause dysphoria and/or be misaligned with how people feel or identify. We encourage youth (and all of us!) to use or create the words and language to describe bodies that feel most affirming, good, and validating.
We recommend the following supplies in a safer sex tool-kit: boundaries and/or activity checklist, latex-free nitrile gloves, non-flavoured external and/or internal condoms and/or dental dams, and water-based lubrication.
For more information about safer sex locally in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), please reach out to our pals at @venusenvyhfx and @hshc_hfx
For more information about safer sex digitally, please check out these organizations:
@amazeorg @evrybodycurious @scarleteenorg @trevorproject @actioncanadashr and @plannedparenthood
Graphics by @artfxg