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It’s no secret that sexuality schooling is shamefully insufficient (and in lots of instances non-existent) in American faculties. To not point out, when formal schooling techniques do have intercourse ed, it’s typically hetero and cis normative, fully excluding LGBTQIA+ people from studying affirmative and relevant details about their our bodies, relationships, reproductive decision-making, and pleasure. The consequence? LGBTQIA+ people are left with many unanswered questions on their sexual and reproductive well being. Then, dangerous and stigmatizing myths and misconceptions unfold like wildfire. So, let’s set the document straight about among the most typical myths and misconceptions round LGBTQIA+ sexuality.
Fantasy: Solely LGBTQIA+ individuals are impacted by HIV.
Truth: Whereas some teams throughout the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood are disproportionately affected by HIV, anybody can get HIV no matter sexual orientation, gender id, race, or age.
Referring to HIV as an “LGBTQ+ downside” is medically unfaithful and perpetuates damaging stereotypes about individuals residing with HIV and the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood. These stereotypes additionally gasoline the parable that some teams throughout the queer neighborhood have larger charges of HIV on account of their sexual or gender id. In truth, discrimination and social inequities gasoline this elevated danger for HIV.
Fantasy: All pregnant individuals are girls.
Truth: Not everybody with a uterus and a vagina identifies as a girl. Folks of many gender identities and expressions would possibly expertise being pregnant, together with people who’re transgender males, non-binary, genderqueer, or in any other case gender-expansive. Of us who’re gender-expansive typically face a number of limitations to entry protected and inclusive healthcare, particularly in terms of reproductive and gynecological companies. When advocating for reproductive rights and reproductive well being, we have to guarantee individuals of all genders have affirmative and equitable entry to being pregnant choices, birthing care, and parenting assets.
Fantasy: Solely cisgender girls are capable of breastfeed/chestfeed.
Truth: It’s attainable for milk manufacturing to be induced for individuals of all gender identities, together with people with no uterus and non-birthing dad and mom. Folks of all genders have some quantity of prolactin and oxytocin, the 2 hormones answerable for milk manufacturing. The method of inducing milk entails stimulating and draining the breasts/chest by means of pumping or guide expression a number of months earlier than the newborn’s due date. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends utilizing the time period “chestfeeding” when working with gender-diverse households. Some dad and mom additionally complement this method with extra pregnancy-stimulating hormones to organize for milk manufacturing. Although some people could produce a full milk provide, milk manufacturing will range from individual to individual. As an illustration, gender-diverse dad and mom who’ve undergone gender-affirming procedures that affect their breast tissue may need difficulties producing milk. Steering from a gender-affirming lactation guide or supplier is crucial for discussing lactation choices and creating an individualized plan.
Fantasy: Bisexual+ individuals are typically non-monogamous (e.g., engaged in consensual polyamory or open relationships).
Truth: The bisexual+ neighborhood is various (bisexual+ is an umbrella time period that features all people who expertise attraction to a couple of gender). Are some bi+ individuals non-monogamous? Sure! Are some bi+ individuals monogamous? Additionally, sure! Bisexuality and non-monogamy are totally different. Simply because an individual identifies with one doesn’t imply they robotically establish with the opposite. Assuming that each one bisexual+ individuals are non-monogamous stems from the stereotype that bi+ people should all the time be in a relationship or be sexually concerned with individuals of a number of genders concurrently “to qualify as bisexual+.” This false impression is just not solely unfaithful, it’s dangerous. Nobody has to show their sexual id to anybody and there’s no such factor as being “bisexual+ sufficient.” Bisexual+ individuals are #stillbisexual no matter their sexual or romantic companion(s).
Fantasy: Asexual individuals by no means have intercourse or masturbate.
Truth: Asexuality is an umbrella time period that exists on a spectrum, so everyone seems to be totally different in terms of their sexual emotions, attitudes, experiences, and behaviors. It’s essential to keep in mind that asexuality refers to sexual attraction. Whereas asexual people (aces) expertise little to no sexual attraction to others, that doesn’t imply all aces by no means expertise sexual need or select to interact in sexual behaviors. Some aces have little interest in sexual actions. Some are intercourse impartial. Others would possibly interact in partnered sexual acts to really feel near their companion(s) or out of the need for kids. Aces who aren’t taken with partnered sexual actions would possibly nonetheless expertise sexual fantasies or masturbate to expertise pleasure, although masturbation is probably not seen as inherently sexual to some.
A number of identities additionally fall beneath the asexuality spectrum. As an illustration, some individuals are demisexual, which means they solely expertise sexual attraction as soon as they’ve shaped a deep emotional connection or bond with one other/others. Others are grey-asexual, which implies they really feel sexual attraction typically, however intercourse total is probably not as essential because it appears for others exterior of the asexuality neighborhood. In the end, there’s no “a method” that somebody would possibly expertise their sexuality throughout the asexual neighborhood.
For extra info on the matters listed above, go to:
The LGBT FoundationTrans HubFamily EqualityThe Lactation Community The Bisexual Useful resource CenterThe Asexual Visibility and Schooling Community
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