Zoe's Passion Project by zoe https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46 My passion project is about the lack of LGBTQ-inclusive sex education in public schools. en-us 2017-12-21 20:36:17 UTC 2023-02-09 05:15:50 UTC hello@padlet.com GLSEN Calls for LGBTQ-Inclusive Sex Ed sc962545 https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/217788703 In December of 2015, seven organizations called for a significant improvements in sex education programs to ensure that LGBTQ students have access to information that could aid their well-being. Less than 5% of LGBTQ students were taught about LGTBQ topics in a positive way in health class. Eight states prohibit LGBTQ sex education all together. Only 19% of US high schools provide curriculum that is LGBTQ inclusive. Studies show that parents, health professionals, and youth show support for LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum. This article really opened my eyes to the need for more inclusive sex education. I will be able to use these statistics in my appeal for more inclusive sex education in my school. ]]> 2017-12-21 20:48:22 UTC https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/217788703 A Call to Action: LGBTQ Youth Need Inclusive Sex Education sc962545 https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/220655793 Often LGBTQ youth are excluded from learning about their own identities, behaviors and experiences in the school setting. "Inclusive programs are those that help youth understand gender identity and sexual orientation with age-appropriate and medically accurate information; incorporate positive examples of LGBTQ individuals, romantic relationships and families; emphasize the need for protection during sex for people of all identities; and dispel common myths and stereotypes about behavior and identity." A 2013 GLSEN study found that less than 5% of LGBTQ students had health classes that included positive examples of LGBTQ-related topics. This drives youth to research sexual topics online which often leads to medically inaccurate and non-age appropriate information. In  a Human Right Campaign survey, 85% of high school parents thought it was important to discuss sexual orientation in health classes. I used this information as a jumping off point for the focus of my project. I originally thought that I would cover sex education in general, but as I began researching I discovered the importance of LGBTQ-inclusive sex education for all students safety and well-being.]]> 2018-01-11 16:20:06 UTC https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/220655793 Policies, principals and parents: multilevel challenges and supports in teaching sexuality education sc962545 https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/220848559 EBSCOhost
I chose this study as a resource for my passion project because it discusses sex education specifically in Minnesota. It also goes into detail about the reasons that it is difficult to create a policy and curriculum statewide, districtwide, and even school wide that is effective and appropriate for all students. The study assesses three levels of influence that affect sex education in public schools: intrapersonal, institutional, and community policy. I could use this information to develop an understanding of the barriers that prohibit comprehensive and effective sex education and then research ways to overcome those barriers. ]]> 2018-01-12 03:30:59 UTC https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/220848559 Adults' complicity in limiting students' understanding of sex, gender and sexuality at school sc962545 https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/220849572 EBSCOhost
This article discusses the power that adults in a school setting have on students' understanding of sex education. The presence of adults at GSA meetings made the students feel more safe and included at school, but their lack of guidance made it difficult to educate outside of their meetings. Often times teachers echo societal stereotypes based on gender and sexuality. They also contribute to queer invisibility, often denying that bullying happens at their school or placing blame on the victim for not presenting themselves in the correct way. Adults in schools have a tremendous impact on students, so it is just as important to educate and focus on their actions as it is for the students. I plan to use this information to educate adults in my school about the impact they have on students lives. I may talk to the advisor of the Geography Club to see how she feels about the information I have collected and what to do with it. Ultimately I would like to get a speaker to come into the sex education classes at Apollo to talk about LGBTQ issues. ]]> 2018-01-12 03:43:48 UTC https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/220849572 LGBTQ-Inclusive Sex Education Means Healthier Youth and Safer Schools sc962545 https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/220851693 Sex education standards vary widely across the country. Sex education materials often assume students are heterosexual and cisgender, and does not mention gender identity or sexual orientation at all. Abstinence only programs have not been proven effective at preventing pregnancy, while numerous studies have found that comprehensive sex education is effective at reducing high-risk sexual behaviors, promoting safe sex practices, and lowering teen pregnancy rates. LGBTQ youth are disproportionately affected by negative sexual-health outcomes, such as pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual violence. Hostile school environments lead to higher rates of mental health issues for LGBTQ teens. The American Medical Association, National Education Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as well as many parents and students support LGBTQ-inclusive, comprehensive sex education. I chose this article because it brings up all the support that LGBTQ-inclusive sex education has in the United States. I believe that having proof that inclusive sex education is important to these integral organizations in our lives will show the importance of this topic to the students and faculty in my school.  ]]> 2018-01-12 04:06:04 UTC https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/220851693 Sex Education in Minnesota sc962545 https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/220851772 In Minnesota students are usually taught abstinence only education in schools. Although the Obama administration eliminated the funding for abstinence only education in 2010, many teachers continue to teach this curriculum to their students. 

"The only requirements for sex education in Minnesota are: STD/STI and HIV/AIDS education, Abstinence must be taught as the only 100% effective way to protect against unplanned pregnancy, STDs/STIs, and sexually transmitted HIV/AIDS,
A sex education course must be taught, The information must be technically correct."

"Things that are not required statewide: Teaching about contraceptives, Parental permission to take sex education,
Statewide curriculum, District-wide curriculum, School-wide curriculum,
The information must be medically correct, The teacher must have sex education training."

This website gave me an idea of things that must be included in sex education for it to be considered inclusive. I will use it to develop a claim of what more needs to be taught for all students to feel safe and healthy.
]]> 2018-01-12 04:07:13 UTC https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/220851772 Letter of Support for Comprehensive Sexuality Educaiton sc962545 https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/225232067 Sexuality encompasses more then the prevention of STDs and pregnancies; it is a lifelong process that is a normal part of development. 
"Comprehensive sexuality education includes: anatomy and physiology, puberty and adolescent development,
identity, pregnancy and reproduction, contraception, disease prevention, healthy relationships, and personal
safety and protection."
This article also brought up an interesting point that comprehensive sex education would cost less for tax payers, due to the fact that teen childbearing in the U.S. costs tax payers at least 9.4 billion dollars a year. I chose this article to include in my research because it was interesting to get the opinion of a health professional in Minnesota since they have knowledge on the overall well-being of Minnesotans. ]]> 2018-01-26 20:49:32 UTC https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/225232067 2017 Minnesota Adolescent Sexual Health Report sc962545 https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/230082747 A portion of this study focuses on transgender and gender non-conforming youth in Minnesota. This 2016 study found that transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth experience large health disparities compared to cisgender youth. Involvement in risk behaviors is significantly higher in TGNC youth than cisgender youth, including a more than 40% higher rate of suicide ideation and self-harm and over 10% higher rate of youth not using a condom the last time they had sex. It also found that average levels of support were lower for TGNC teens. I can use this information to get an idea of how the current sex education system is affecting the kids in my school. It will aid me in developing topics that need to be covered in LGBTQ-inclusive sex education. ]]> 2018-02-09 16:10:57 UTC https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/230082747 The Numbers Are In: Sex Education Varies By State sc962545 https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/233554619 This image shows the need for basic standards nationwide. It proves that sex education varies so widely between states. These disparities can be extremely dangerous for young people because it means they are not receiving the information they need to stay safe and healthy. The fact that any states require teaching negative information about same-sex relationships to children is heartbreaking. This Image can be used to represent the need for more inclusive standards in our country. ]]> 2018-02-20 23:37:50 UTC https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/233554619 The Power of Inclusive Sex Education sc962545 https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/233556347 This article followed a queer teenager through their journey with learning about sexual topics. The importance of LGTBQ-inclusive sex education was demonstrated through the experience of the youth in this article. It included many of the same studies that I have linked here, as well as professionals and advocates for LGBTQ issues. What caught my attention from this article is that it discussed how some states are implementing inclusive sex education and the impacts that those programs are having on the youth in those areas, such as Washington and Colorado. It discusses the importance of both age appropriate sex education and the importance of hearing about inclusive topics early on in sexual health education. I will use this article to develop ideas of what kinds of programs, like the ones discussed in the article, will be helpful and have an impact on my school and community's safety. ]]> 2018-02-20 23:47:58 UTC https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/233556347 Queer Students and American Sex Education sc962545 https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/233600094 This TedTalk comes from a queer student in 2016, so it is a topic that they are very knowledgeable and care a lot about. They not only discuss statistics that represent the disparities in sex education in the United States, but also how this is affecting LGBTQ+ students and what allies can do to make an impact on this issue. I watched this TedTalk to get an idea of how the people directly affected by this issue are feeling and I can use this information to try to make a positive impact on sex ed in my school and create a more welcoming school community. ]]> 2018-02-21 04:47:02 UTC https://padlet.com/sc962545/dkgxqnxs0n46/wish/233600094