Master's Project Title:

Sexuality Education Curricula and Sexual Minority Youth

MCH Student:

Michaela McDonald

Date of Defense:

February 28, 2014

Abstract:

Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,  queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ)  youth have unique needs in relation to  sexuality education curricula. LGBTQQ youth  experience adverse physical, sexual , and mental health outcomes at higher rates than their  heterosexual peers, and school-based sexuality  education curricula has the potential to  play a significant role in reducing those disparities. This literature review is an attempt to  illuminate the current evidence of the effect of sexuality education curricula on LGBTQQ  youth and explore new potential avenues for research  and innovative intervention.

Methods: The inclusion criteria were that the  papers had to be written in English,  published in 1995 or later, measure the effect of sexuality education on LGBTQQ youth  (or a subset thereof), and measure at least one of the youth-centered outcomes. The  youth-centered outcomes found in the literature are lower STI rates, lower pregnancy  rates, improved mental health, and  improved feelings of inclusion.

Literature Review: The literature chosen for this review paints an incomplete picture of  the effect of various sexuality education curricula on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,  queer, and questioning youth. However, the  evidence presented in the nine studies  included suggests that LGBTQQ youth are missing crucial information that would help  them make healthy decisions  and feel less isolated. School-based sexuality education has a significant role to play in  helping to normalize the existence of LGBTQQ youth for the  broader population, while also giving students who are LGBTQQ the information and  tools needed to navigate sexual encounters and relationships . When sexuality education  curricula do not include information for sexual minority youth, those youth feel  marginalized and isolated, and lack basic know ledge that would be beneficial in social,  romantic, and sexual settings.

Discussion: A school’s sexuality education curriculum can have a significant impact on  LGBTQQ youth. It can be a tool of acceptance and inclusion, or can contribute to  students feeling isolated and  unsure about how to make safe choices about their sexual  encounters and romantic relationships. There is  evidence in the literature that there are  many youth who are not getting the  information they need about safer sex (as it relates to  the sexual activity they want  to have now or in the future), and the experience of  LGBTQQ youth shows that being in a sex education class  that focuses exclusively on  heterosexual relationships is damaging and hurtful. However, there is a lack of evidence  about many key aspects of this topic, which suggests that further research is needed to  clarify the experience of LGBTQQ youth.