LGBTQ sex education is a sex education program within a school, university, or community center that addresses the sexual health needs of LGBTQ people.

This article needs to be updated. (December 2024)

The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (March 2023)

There is some debate about whether LGBTQ sex education should be included in sex education curricula. Advocates of LGBTQ sex education say that the inclusion of LGBTQ issues into sex education programs reduces anti-LGBTQ bullying, improves the health of LGBTQ people, and decreases instances of problems common in LGBTQ students such as depression and low self-esteem.^[1]

Opponents argue that LGBTQ sex education programs would force a political point of view on students, misuse tax money, and disrespect religious values.

A 2020 study suggests LGBTQ-inclusive sex education can reduce bullying, improve mental health and reduce suicidality in young LGBTQ people.^[1] As of 2014, only 5% of middle and high school students in the United States reported receiving "positive discussions of LGBTQ-related topics" within their health classes.^{[2][needs update]}

LGBTQ sex education is currently not covered in many schools.^[3] Research has also posited that students often do not find existing LGBTQ sex education programs to be effective,^[4] although research suggests that states with LGBTQ-inclusive sex education have reduced rates of bullying, better mental health, and reduced risk of suicide in young people.^[1] Teachers have differing views on the subject of homosexuality, and these personal opinions can impact LGBTQ sex education when it is implemented.^[5]

Research has illustrated that some sex education courses present LGBTQ issues in a negative light—portraying LGBTQ individuals and LGBTQ sexuality as something wrong, sick, and abnormal.^[5] According to the American Civil Liberties Union, "abstinence-only" approaches to sex education can also be alienating to LGBT students because these programs assume that marriage is a possibility and a desire for all students even where same-sex marriage is illegal.^[12] Further, promoting marriage as the goal for LGBTQ students reproduces a homonormative standard, marginalizing those without access to or interest in marriage.^[13] Ellis and High's survey research in 2004 (including 384 students) revealed that 59% of young people who did receive LGBT sex education found it to be ineffective.^[5]

Advocates for LGBTQ sex education have suggested adjustments to current sex education practices in schools. One common place for improvement that researchers have identified is the angle from which sex education is approached in general. Buston and Hart (2001), Ellis and High (2004), and others have recommended that teachers frame sex education in terms of relationships rather than merely reproduction, which can lead to the exclusion of LGBT students.^[5][8] Ellis and High mention that sexual orientation might be more appropriately taught as "an aspect of culture and identity" (Ellis and High 2004, pg. 11).^[5] Other researchers such as Morrow (1993) believe that in order for sex education to be effective, it must present LGB as just as natural and legitimate as heterosexuality.^[6] Advocates for LGBTQ sex education ask that LGBTQ sexual health issues be given equal weight in the curriculum accordingly.^[8] They also say that more resources concerning LGBTQ sexual health issues need to be made available to students.^[3] According to UCLA's Center for the Study of Women's Policy Brief 11 (2012), LGBTQ students may not be willing to reach out for guidance themselves.^[9]

Researchers have recommended that teachers in sex education programs avoid framing homosexuality as something that is fundamentally connected to sexually transmitted infections and refrain from practices that are potentially detrimental to LGBTQ students, such as referring to partners as specifically "him" or "her" (better to use the more flexible "they").^[3][8] Gowen and Winges-Yanez (2014) suggest through their focus groups on LGBTQ teens that there are several problems with the way sex education is taught. The teens cited silencing, heterocentricity, and pathologizing of LGBTQ individuals as common practices. When asked how they would improve sex education, the group said inclusive sex education would include discussion of LGBT issues, learning how to access resources, STI prevention, relationships, and anatomy.^[16] Advocates for LGBTQ rights also say that teachers need to abandon any reluctance to take a side in the debate about homosexuality.^[5]

There are also alternative sexual education programs for LGBTQ people, such as that of an online sexual education course. According to a study evaluating the effectiveness of an online, interactive sexual education program for LGBT people, all subsections recorded statistically significant improvement of knowledge.^[17] Some of the topics included safe sex practices, healthy relationships, pleasure and sexually transmitted infections. This type of program also created an online community for people taking the course to ask questions and interact with each other. This social aspect of the program also created a sense of normalcy and acceptance. Online programs could offer a means of education for those who cannot receive it in school. There are also various online LGBT sites on the internet that offer educational leaflets or information.^[15]

Novels including LGBTQ relationships can be a useful tool in an LGBT inclusive sexual education course or as a way for youth and teens to learn about LGBTQ relationships and issue in a different type of way.^[18][19] Novels that include LGBT relationships can aid in normalizing queer relationships potentially creating a more accepting and inclusive atmosphere for LGBT youth. It can also supplement information learned by reinforcing it in the form of a story. Many LGBT youth use young adult novels that include LGBT relationships as sources of information, especially if they do not receive sex education in school.^[18] Sexually explicit young adult novels can provide details about sexual intercourse, intimacy and sexual identity that LGBT youth can relate to allowing them to explore their own sexual identity.^[19]

A study of LGBTQ youth asked them what their current curriculum is teaching them and what they would want to see in a new curriculum. Some of the responses included a more inclusive curriculum that described different people with different gender identities, sexual orientations and ethnicity, "how-to" information that related to LGBTQ people relationships, and specific sections related to LGBT risks, problems and behaviors.^[20] They also mentioned the use of internet information and resources as a way of creating a community for extended education and support.^[20]

Proponents of incorporating LGBTQ sex education into school curricula commonly present several arguments. According to the Huffington Post, some supporters claim that failing to include LGBTQ issues in sex education programs will overlook a significant number of students who identify as LGBT;^[21] the Center for American Progress (CAP) says that this can cause them to feel marginalized and removed from the lesson because it does not pertain to them.^[22] LGBT sex education advocates also argue that leaving LGBT safe sex instruction out of the curriculum will increase the likelihood of health problems for LGBTQ students.^[9][22] Supporters say that since LGBT people are particularly at risk for HIV/AIDS, it is especially important to provide them with sexual health information.^[23] According to researcher Eleanor Formby (2011), lesbian women are a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), because many do not know that they can be susceptible to STIs or how to engage in safe sex. Therefore, it is important that they receive lesbian sex education.^[3] LGBTQ sex education advocates suggest that because LGBTQ students are not taught sex education that pertains to them in school, they feel unprepared for sex, unable to talk about it openly, and have to learn about it by themselves—which can result in negative health outcomes.^[3][22] Sanchez (2012) argues that LGBT students are unlikely to reach out to resources that could give them good information on their own, which furthers the need for LGBTQ sex education in schools.^[9] LGBTQ youth are also at higher risk of engaging in high-risk behavior such as higher rates of suicide attempts, substance use and high risk sexual behavior. Since many of these high risk actions among LGBTQ youth have been correlated with depression, emotional distress and victimization experiences from non- LGBTQ people, LGBTQ sensitive sex and HIV education in schools could reduce this high-risk behavior by normalizing LGBTQ people and also providing support services to LGBTQ youth.^[24]

LGBTQ sex education supporters have also argued that the inclusion of LGBTQ topics in the curriculum can decrease instances of bullying in schools by familiarizing students with the range of sexual orientations and reducing harmful stereotypes.^[6][21][22] The Center for American Progress argues that LGBTQ sex education results in a decrease in homophobic comments. According to the Huffington Post, supporters say that educating young people about LGBTQ individuals could help them have a more positive attitude toward their gay peers.^[21] The Center for American Progress (2013) says that LGBT sex education would therefore reduce common problems LGBTQ students face as a result of negative attitudes; these include mental health issues like depression, the risk of suicide, drug abuse, self-esteem issues, and poorer academic performance due to stress caused by discrimination. They argue that covering homosexuality in sex education programs helps students feel more secure at school.^[22]

Several studies have also shown that heteronormative and negative attitudes toward LGBTQ people are associated with lower rates of academic success. In schools, heteronormative and non inclusive culture can poorly effect motivation, health, and learning habits in students who identify as LGBTQ+. Andreas Gegenfurtner and Markus Gebhardt have shared findings which suggest that tolerance and acceptance toward sexual minorities were reported to be more positive when people are more highly educated and less religious. Similar findings within their study have shown a positive correlation between academic success among LGBTQ+ students and inclusive school environments.^[4]

According to Jen Gilbert, associate professor of education at York University, young LGBTQ people often do not have queer parents whom they can ask for sexuality-related advice, nor access to LGBTQ adults. LGBTQ sex education could potentially fill this gap and provide LGBTQ students with elders well-versed in their specific needs and equipped with affirming information, that students are otherwise unable to receive at home or in school.^[25]

Finally, proponents of LGBTQ sex education have said that curricula that explore all facets of sexuality would be beneficial to straight students as well, because they claim that it presents a more accurate picture of the world and human sexuality. A study of Gay/Straight Alliances in Utah found that peer-facilitated discussions concerning the spectrum of sexuality and gender identities benefited both straight and LGBT students.^[26] It exposed them to the reality of relationships outside of the heteronormative images that dominate media (as well as sex education), and even positively impacted all involved students' academic performance.^[26] Proponents also argue that offering LGBT-inclusive sex education can be of major assistance to any questioning students that might be in the class.^[21]

According to the Center for American Progress (2013), the majority of parents support including homosexuality in the sex education curriculum; they report that 73% of high school parents think LGBT issues should be taught. The CAP claims that this high percentage of support indicates that LGBT topics should be incorporated.^[22]

Opponents of LGBTQ sex education argue that it is wrong to teach students about the issue of homosexuality because it is too contentious. They say that parents should have control over what their children are exposed to and taught, and allowing public schools to cover LGBT sex education would undermine this right, forcing a particular political view on students. Furthermore, many opponents of inclusive sex ed programs argue that parents are forced to lose control of what their children learn in school. This belief is especially common in households that are religiously affiliated, or identify politically with views against LGBT rights.^[4] According to The Christian Post, some parents do not want their children to study homosexuality.^[29] Critics often cite a misuse of citizens' tax dollars, claiming citizens should not have to pay for children to learn about other lifestyles that their parents do not agree with.^[30] Parents and guardians within these families commonly argue that lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender activity is immoral, abnormal, and unnatural.^[4]

According to Formby (2011), opponents have also argued that LGBTQ sex education is harmful to students because they say it exposes them to damaging information.^[3] They claim that the students should not learn about LGBT issues until they are older.^[29] Some opponents of LGBTQ sex education have argued that including LGBTQ issues in sex education programs will encourage more young people to practice homosexuality as well.^[6][31] LGBT sex education has also been accused of being disrespectful to certain families' religious beliefs.^[31] The Christian Post argued that if schools elect to teach about LGBTQ people while neglecting religious topics, the curriculum would be unfairly balanced.^[29]

There have also been concerns that LGBTQ sex education would not be effective because it is difficult for homophobic students to accept homosexuality, which may prevent them from being receptive to the instruction.^[8]

• Adolescent sexuality
• Comprehensive sex education § Inclusive ways of delivering CSE
• Education and the LGBTQ community
• LGBT and religion topics
• LGBTQ rights by country or territory
• LGBTQ social movements
• List of universities with BDSM clubs
• Queer migration
• Religion and LGBT people
• Sex education in the United States
• Sexual revolution
• Social conservatism