Sex education can be so. frickin'. broad. Growing up I thought sex education was just supposed to be about birth control, periods, STI/STDs, masturbation (slightly, touched on), and penis/vagina sex. That's it! I mean that's all I really thought it was, even though I did not learn all of that when I had my ONE sex ed class. The thing is, though, sex education is so much more than that and we all deserve to learn about it all! When I think sex education now, I think gender, heteronormativity, queer theory, QUEER EVERYTHING!, sexual abuse, positive info on masturbation, sex toys, relationships, ENM, LGBTQ+++ rights, gender norms, sex v. gender, privilege, race, body types, and literally anything and everything in between (and I know I am missing so much more). And this realization sparked my passion for sexuality!!!
Anyways, the reason I write all of that is because today I want to share some of my favorite sex educators, gender educators, and all of the educators that I love and follow on Instagram (that are related to sexuality of course). These folks have completely shifted and challenged my thinking and continue to do so. I think it could be very beneficial for people to follow these folks and I constantly recommend them to people who ask. I will also be adding a bit of info about them and organizations that you can support ongoing! I hope you find some people you have not heard of and learn something new!
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ihartericka/
Ericka Hart is an amazing Black sex educator who discusses sex and relationships, racism, fatphobia, classism, non-monogamous relationships, and basically all of the -isms you can think of. They constantly bring up racism within every aspect of our lives that sadly, many people do not think about, talk about, or realize. Ericka will challenge you so much that it will probably make you uncomfortable, but that is the point. When you feel uncomfortable, you know that you are hitting a spot in yourself that needs to be worked on. Ericka also has their partner, Ebony Donnley, do lives and discussions on their stories, who I also learn so much from! So two wonderful educators in one account!
IG: https://www.instagram.com/alokvmenon/
Alok has my heart!!! They are a person I constantly look forward to seeing what they do next and what they are writing next. Just reading their captions on their posts makes me tear up, educate me, and just fall in love with them. They recently released a book named Beyond the Gender Binary that is so accessible and an easy read about..exactly that - beyond the gender binary!!! They discuss gender, love, community, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and have recently been doing book reviews on books that everyone should read. Alok has also been doing so many great Instagram lives with different folks discussing topics like why testosterone has affected trans folks experience in competing sports, finding purpose, Black trans lives and experience, etc...They are just such an important person to follow.
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefatsextherapist/
Sonalee is such a wonderful person to follow. They are a therapist who does many Q&A's, posts about fatness, and liberating therapy. They post and have so many resources on their page that makes it so accessible for anyone who has an Instagram account. Sonalee has also done many lives about sex toys, sex in general, and also with other folks. Honestly their Q&As are sort of the best because they have such a calming voice and I sorta have a crush on them...but anyways I recently have started keeping up with Sonalee and I have learned a lot about fatphobia and how vital it is to have that conversation in sexuality.
Now, here are some other accounts I recently started following (or have been following) that are sex educators and sex therapists (or related)! I'm excited to learn more from them and hope you are too :-)
https://www.instagram.com/lexxsexdoc/
https://www.instagram.com/shanboody/
https://www.instagram.com/latinegrasexologist/
https://www.instagram.com/blkbrownred/
https://www.instagram.com/shrimpteeth/
https://www.instagram.com/gabalexa/
Annnnd here some organizations that are related to sexuality/sex education that you can follow and support!
http://www.intersexjusticeproject.org/
I hope you find something new and thanks for reading!
