Fundamental Concepts and Critical Developments in Sex Education Intersectional and Trauma-Informed Approaches

Part 1: Informing our values and attitudes as sexuality educators

1. The Great Pushback: Why Social Justice is CompSexEd

Mariotta Gary-Smith

2. From Values-Based to Values-Neutral: The Pedagogical Power of Transparency

Anne Hodder-Shipp

3. Centering Safety & Resilience through Trauma-Informed Approaches

Kirsten DeFur

Part 2: Critical Perspectives for Inclusive Sex Education 

4. Embracing Profesional Humility: Cultivating Dispositions and Reflective Practice in Sexuality Education

Tanya Bass

5. Navigating the Emotional Landscape: Cultivating Emotional Literacy in Sex Education

Rachael Gibson

Part 3: Key Information, Research and Continuous Learning

6. Deconstructing Desirability: Sexual Racism in Focus

Aydrelle Collins

7. Contemporary and Nuanced Approaches to Teaching Consent

Sonja Vitow

8. Re-teaching Contraception

LaShay Harvey

9. Sexual Health is Mental Health: Shifting from a Sex Avoidant Society into a Stigma-Free One

Courtney Brame

10. Childhood and Adolescent Sexualities

Dr. Alecia Rodriguez

11. [Inter] Sex Ed

Delia Sosa

12. Blurring the Boundaries of Orientation

Aubri Lancaster

13. Decolonizing the History of the Gender Binary: Understanding What the Gender Binary Is, Where it Came From, How it Affects Us Today, and How it Destroyed My Chance of Being a Princess

Arc Telos Saint Amour

14. Redefining Intimacy: Expanding Relationship Design Beyond Compulsory Heteronormativity and Monogamy

Sam Casanova

15. Breaking Barriers: Sex Education Promoting Quality of Life for People with Physical Disability

Kim Andreassen, Alysha Oorjitham, and Hannah Smith

16. Sex Education for Neurodivergent Learners: Addressing Gaps, Misconceptions, and Needs

Dylan Kapit

17. Sex Education for People with IDD: Concrete Strategies for Increasing Accessibility

Isabella Weber, Quinn Vermillion, and Sarah Dahlston

18. Integrating Porn Literacy into Sex Education

N. Jasmine Johnson

19. Hoes Need Help, Too: Navigating Stigma & Violence as Societal Barriers to Sex Workers

Danielle Simpson-Baker

20. Destigmatizing BDSM Through Education: Challenges, Mindset, and Strategies

Midori

Part 4: Skills & Considerations for Increasing Impact and Inclusivity

21. Making Mistakes and Practicing Accountability

Jennifer A. Hart and Hilary F. Towle (Introduction by Dr. Bianca Laureano)

22. Liberation-Centered Learning Spaces: Valuing Joy, Relationships, and Power-Shifting

Yael R. Rosenstock Gonzalez

23. From Concept to Community: Ethical Practices in Event Organization

Steph Zapata

24. Maximizing Sexual Health Education for Youth

Sam Carwyn

25. Faith, Fear, and Freedom: Redefining Sexuality in Religious Spaces

Kara Haug

Part 5: Navigating the Business and Limitations of Sex Education  

26. Be Sexcessful! Navigating Sex Education Entrepreneurship

Marla Renee Stewart

27. Sex Ed and Social Media

Mariah Caudillo

28. Sex Ed and Working With The Media

Dirty Lola

Biography

Reece Malone, DHS, MPH is an award-winning sexuality educator, equity trainer, researcher, and therapist based in Winnipeg, Canada. Founder of Sexuality Consultants and Support Services Manitoba and Diversity Essentials, he teaches and informs policy on human rights, gender equity, and human sexuality. He co-edited An Intersectional Approach to Sex Therapy.

Tracie Q. Gilbert, PhD, is a sex ed consultant dedicated to socioemotional wellness for Black communities and racial justice in sex education. Formerly an assistant professor, she now focuses on curriculum writing and training. She authored Black & Sexy: A Framework of Racialized Sexuality.

Catherine Dukes, PhD, LCSW is an award-winning sex educator and sex therapist. Prior to founding her sex therapy and education group practice www.TheCenterCD.com, she led Planned Parenthood of Delaware’s education department, winning national awards. Her work also includes speaking at national conferences, publications and Bedroom Brainiacs online sex ed.

Justine Ang Fonte, M.Ed, MPH is a Filipina-American sex educator, consultant, and professor. She’s taught PreK-12 children and their caregivers for 15+ years. Her Audible Original is How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex, and she holds master’s degrees from the University of Hawai’i and Columbia University.

“This book is the ultimate guide for sex educators! It dismantles the old, siloed approaches to education, offering instead a liberatory framework rooted in authenticity, collective care, and inclusivity. What sets this book apart is its focus on both the educator and learner, promoting an educational environment where both parties engage collaboratively in a process of healing, mutual understanding and valued shared learning.”

Dr. Lexx Brown-James, PhD, LMFT, CSE, CSES, Pioneer Sex Educator, The Couples Clinician, President, The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors & Therapists (AASECT) (2024-2026)

“A must-read for any sex educator looking to decolonize their practice and shake things up! This book is a gift of collective, tried-and-true wisdom and practical guidance from heavy hitters in the field of sex education.”

Melissa Pintor Carnagey, LBSW, CEO & Founder of Sex Positive Families

"This is a must-read text for the next generation of sex educators and seasoned professionals alike. Award-winning educators and editors, Reece Malone, Tracie Gilbert, Justine Ang Fonte, and Catherine Dukes have assembled the top minds from across the field to share their deep intersectional knowledge and experience. The result is a compilation of outstanding pedagogical approaches that reflect broad and nuanced best practices for effective and meaningful sex education. This invaluable resource is rich with wisdom, theory, practical application, and thought-provoking insights, equipping educators of all levels with a comprehensive toolkit for fostering impactful and inclusive sex education.”

Jessica O’Reilly, MSc, PhD, Sexologist, Relationship Expert, Founder of HapperCouples.com

“Healthy sexuality cannot be developed in an unhealthy system.  This resource expertly examines every facet of the sexuality education system: educator, learner, content, context, and historical/cultural milieu through the lenses of equity and justice.  This leads to sexuality education in which both educator and learner can be their most authentic selves and create experiences and relationships rooted in authenticity, joy, and freedom.”

Al Vernacchio, MSEd, author of For Goodness Sex: A Sex-Positive Guide to Raising Healthy, Empowered Teens

“What’s fascinating about this compendium is that it is an extraordinary assembly of thought leaders, educators, and influencers in the field of sexuality education.  Each chapter offers insight and nuance into the complexities of sexuality pedagogy and gives professionals needed tools to facilitate transformational learning and healing.  Cover to cover—this is a must read for all sexuality professionals.” 

James C. Wadley, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships

“As our young people increasingly call upon all of us to recognize their beautiful, brave, and diverse lived realities, it is incredibly important for sex educators to have the language, tools, and approaches that allow us to teach to the breadth of human sexual and reproductive experience from a place of love, affirmation, and understanding. This new resource will be invaluable for sex educators committed to doing so.”

Christine Soyong Harley, President & CEO, The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS): Sex Ed for Social Change

“Fundamental Concepts and Critical Developments in Sex Education is an embodiment of what I’ve always known the field of sex education has the potential to become. Authors address the complexity, breadth, and depth of our field without limit or apology. The tone of this book is direct, respectful, self-aware, and clear in the ways that it prioritizes dignity and joy, and articulates boundaries and expectations -- it’s no coincidence that those are also the hallmarks of influential, dynamic, effective sex educators."

Sara C. Flowers, DrPH, Vice President of Education & Training, Planned Parenthood Federation of America

"Provocative and insightful, this significant work offers valuable, intersectional strategies that challenge health educators—both within organizations and self-employed—to reflect on their role in creating brave spaces for sexual education. With its depth and practical insights, this book is an essential resource for anyone committed to being their best self in this complex field."

David L. Bell, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics and Population & Family Health at CUMC

"Truly groundbreaking. Comprehensive, accessible and deeply needed! This book isn't just about sexuality education, it's about creating a more just and compassionate world. A must-read for educators who share this vision."

Francisco Ramirez, MPH, co-founder, OkaySo