ABOUT RELEARNING SEX ED

It's time to relearn sex education to cultivate a shame-free, inclusive, and informative approach to sexuality and intimacy.

My name is Elizabeth Conard (she/her) and I am a writer, copy editor, and an illustrator. I have learned, dabbled, and worked within the realms of editing, publishing, art, and education for 10 years. 

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As an illustrator, the bulk of my work focuses on destigmatizing sexuality, addressing social justice issues, and examining how these two topics intertwine.  Through this work, I have become aware of the collective sexual wounding that has resulted from a lack of comprehensive sex education and the resultant sexual experiences. This awareness manifested into the idea for Relearning Sex Ed.

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SO, WHAT IS RELEARNING SEX ED?

Relearning Sex Ed contributes to collective awareness and healing through a book publication that blends the arts and education together to present a new way of perceiving sex, self-care, and intimate relationships. Each page of Relearning Sex Ed will present a blurb written by collaborating sexual health professionals and a corresponding illustration, drawn by me, that accompanies the information being shared. The book will also incorporate a list of resources, including contact information for each of our contributors, for those who are seeking more in-depth support.

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Relearning Sex Ed is geared towards an adult audience, with the hope that the relearning that takes place will trickle down to conversations with young people. Upon completion, Relearning Sex Ed will be pitched for publication with local book publishers in Philadelphia or self-published through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.  Once published, Relearning Sex Ed will be sold at-cost and donated to sexual health centers across Philadelphia and beyond to make it as accessible as possible for those unlearning and relearning their perceptions of sex and intimacy.

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WHAT TOPICS WILL RELEARNING SEX ED ADDRESS?

Relearning Sex Ed will address a plethora of topics related to sexuality, including the following: 

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• Consent, coercion, and intimate-partner violence

• The importance and normalcy of self-pleasure

• Sexual pain

• Sexual self-care

• The impact of religion on sexuality 

• Black women and their reclamation of sexuality

• STI stigma and minimization

• Sexual anatomy

• LGBTQ+ affirming sex ed

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WHY IS THIS PROJECT IMPORTANT NOW?

Abstinence-based, noncomprehensive sex education has dominated in the United States and abroad for centuries, leading many to develop shameful perceptions of sexuality in regard to themselves and others. Lack of education regarding consent and coercion has led to a rampant increase in sexual assault and abuse across the country. Our obsession with sexual lifestyle has birthed the degrading act of slut-shaming and the inability for people, particularly women, to have agency over their own body. Stigma surrounding sexual transmitted infections (STIs) has contributed to decreased likelihood of regular STI testing and decreased mental wellness among those living with STIs. Our lack of focus on sexual self-care and relationship dynamics for people of all sexual and gender identities has left many to navigate these topics on their own, often leading to unhealthy self-care practices or toxic relationship dynamics. These ramifications are immensely harmful for the adult collective, and will be passed down to future generations if these topics are not addressed and the healing process is not begun.

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WHEN WILL RELEARNING SEX ED BE RELEASED? HOW CAN I GET A COPY? 

Relearning Sex Ed will be published in 2022. Once published, Relearning Sex Ed will be sold at-cost to make the book as accessible as possible. No profit will be generated from this publication. Subscribe to our mailing list to receive updates on when Relearning Sex Ed is published and where you can purchase it.