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What Youth Want...
95% of youth in Canada want sexual health education to include information on sexual orientation; 28% did not learn about sexual orientation.
82% of youth in Canada want sexual health education that is inclusive to all students.
93% of youth want to learn about gender identity; only 10% report gender identity is “covered very well” in sexual health education.
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Gender and Sexual Orientation
Developing and Implementing Effective Sexual Health Education
Access to comprehensive sexual health education is a right for all young people. To be effective, sexual health education should include information on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, and be inclusive of the identities and educational needs of all students, including those who are 2SLGBTQINA+ (SIECCAN, 2019). Addressing gender and sexual orientation topics within sexual health education is necessary to effectively reduce discrimination and violence in the community, promote acceptance and respect, and ensure that all students have access to the relevant information they need to prevent negative sexual health outcomes and enhance their well-being (SIECCAN, 2023; 2024).
SIECCAN’s Addressing Gender and Sexual Orientation toolkits are part of a larger project funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Community Action Fund. The toolkits are informed by a review of up-to-date credible research, SIECCAN’s in-depth consultations with youth, parents, and educators, and guidance from an expert Advisory Working Group. The toolkits provide educators with information to effectively address gender and sexual orientation within sexual health education that corresponds to SIECCAN’s Benchmarks for Comprehensive Sexual Health Education.
Production of these resources has been made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.