#hotgoss redux: Race, Racism & Sex Ed

Written By Mackenzie

On this week's episode of #hotgoss, doula, activist, and soon-to-be nurse Christiana Marvray joined us for an important conversation: Race, racism & sex ed.

The field of sex education and even sexual violence prevention is not exempt from needing to do some deep reckoning with its own racist roots. We strongly encourage you watch the full #hotgoss episode as both Christiana and Oronde put so clearly into context how race and sex, are deeply connected. Likewise, they talked about various instances both historically and presently where racism in health care and education, including sexual health care and education, have negatively impacted Black folks’ sexual identities and autonomy over their own bodies, choices, and pleasure. 

Full video here:

As with most things we talk about on #hotgoss, this is a big and complicated conversation: Racism runs deep in all fields of health including sexual health. And reproductive healthcare, sexual health care, and sex education are so important. So how do we build this field and practice to be empowering for everyone, especially Black and Brown folks who have been historically harmed by sex ed in the past? This is a big question we’re grappling with and continuing to work on at Speak About It.

There are many BIPOC health educators (check out the Women of Color Sexual Health Network!) who are offering sex ed resources that center Black and Brown folks, and focus on bringing knowledge, resources, representation, community, and information to people so they can feel confident about making sexual choices that feel right for them. 

Below you can find additional reading and resources based on ideas we talked about in the episode so you can keep researching, learning, and pushing for anti-racist sex ed:

Additional reading on sex education, health care, and racism:

According to SIECUS, “Even in spaces where progressive sex education standards are being developed, Black educators are being shut out.” Therefore, it’s also important to listen to, share, and advocate for BIPOC sex educators who are doing the work to empower Black and Brown folks to live fully pleasurable, liberated sexual lives. Here’s a few of our fave resources that we dropped in our episode of #hotgoss:

  • Ericka Hart (@iharttericka) - Super radical sex educator tackling issues of medical racism, colorism, transphobia and misogynoir in politics and health care. Learn more here!

  • The Chubby Goddess (@thechubbygoddess) - Guest Christiana’s personal fave. Celebrating queer/trans fat femmes, the Chubby Goddess is all about sexual liberation, body positivity and is a sex educator out of the Bay Area. 

  • Sonalee Rashatwar, The Fat Sex Therapist - (@thefatesextherapist) An Oronde fave! Philadelphia-based LCSW and sex therapist (and donut fan, so like...we stan!)

  • Caleb Luna/Chairbreaker - (@chairbeaker) 1) Love this instagram handle!! 2) Check them out for their writing & envisioning about, their words, “fatter strategies toward freedom.”

  • Radical Health - (@weareradhealth) Health equity through conversation, community, and technology. Christiana recommends especially if you’re in the health/medical field. 

  • Sex Positive Families (@sexpositivefamilies) - Melissa Carnegey is truly so rad, and we love the work they do to help people raise sexually healthy families. 

  • Dr. Donna Oriowo - (@annodright) - You may remember Dr. Donna from our Speak About It changemaker blogpost in 2018. We love how she celebrates and encourages black women’s sexuality and empowerment through community, therapy, and education.

Mackenzie https://www.wespeakaboutit.org
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