Sex Ed As Resistance
Sex Ed Winter Training Program
Given immense historical resistance to sex education in the world from legislation seeking to limit the availability of sex ed in schools to religious based, political and social restrictions imposed on its instruction, this training program was designed with the knowledge that sexual health and wellness is in fact a powerful tool of resistance; intrinsic to any movement toward social justice. The study of human sexuality has for far too long de-centered the voices of those on the margins who have contributed to the field since its inception.
Founded, led and designed by award winning sexuality educator Ericka Hart, the Sex Ed as Resistance Winter Training Program is one of very few Black queer non-binary tgnc led training programs offering comprehensive, trauma informed, consent and pleasure based sexuality education from an anti racist, queer lens.
This live virtual training provides an interactive, communal learning experience featuring credible, scientifically accurate and well researched information inclusive of all genders and sexualities and offers students the opportunity to learn the critical intersections between sexuality, race, gender, disability, and identity while exploring how our personal and political ideals inform our viewpoints around sexual health/sexuality. Here, a rigorous study and uplifting of a wealth of scholarship on content and themes related to gender, sex and sexuality by the global majority is a defining characteristic, not an afterthought.
The United States currently has no mandated training to become a sex educator and many accredited training and college programs are inaccessible due to cost or location, so this training was created in response to and with hopes to fill a gap. Because the work of sex ed is so vital to so many diverse career paths and is such an integral part of our lives, this program has been specifically designed for a wide range of folks across disciplines from sex educators, social workers and therapists, healthcare providers, legal professionals, birth workers, educators (secondary and collegiate), nonprofit professionals to community and political organizers, artists and anyone that has an interest in expanding their knowledge of sex and sexuality.
This course will cover a vast array of topics under the sex and sexuality sun with a Black liberatory, pro-trans, pro sex work and pro abolitionist politic at the forefront. Whether you seek to work in sexual education, sexual health and wellness, reproductive justice, sex tech or any allied fields, whether or not you seek advanced degrees or certification from a credentialing organization, this program is for you.
Through supportive group discussions, readings and lecture, participants will leave feeling more equipped to dismantle oppressive systems in a co-created space, collaborate with others from all over the world and be a resource to their communities in building toward a world that affirms bodily autonomy and justice for all bodies and all people.
When will this training be held?
Attendance for all sessions is mandatory – this helps us build rapport and ensure that participants are present as we build on topics collectively.
Saturdays; 10am- 5pm EST
Sundays: 12pm-5pm EST
January 11th – January 12th </span
January 18th – January 19th
January 25th – January 26th
February 1st and February 2nd
February 15th and February 16th
We will take ample breaks throughout the weekend.
Who is this for:
- Social workers
- Sex educators and therapists (and those who are looking to become sex educators and therapists)
- Healthcare providers
- Counselors
- Birthworkers
- Community/political organizers
- Educators (elementary, secondary and collegiate)
- Legal professionals
- Media professionals
- Artists
- Non-profit professionals
- Sex workers
- Sex toy shop staff and owners and other sex tech professionals
- Anyone that has an interest in expanding their knowledge of sex and sexuality
If I am not in the US, can I join?:
Absolutely, welcome- this is a global program. Most of the instruction will have a United States lens and will be in English, but all frameworks can be applied globally.
Topics that will be covered:
- Anatomy
- Sex ed for all ages
- Sex and disability
- Compulsory sexuality and heterosexuality
- LGBTQIA+ competency
- Desire
- Relationships- friendships, romance (monogamy and non-monogamy) and family
- Gender
- Pregnancy and Abortion
- Reproductive Justice
- STIs/STDs
- Fat liberation and body image
- Sex toys
- Kink/BDSM
- Consent, harm reduction and risk awareness
- Sexual violence
- Sex ed careers
- Prison abolition
Cost
We are offering sliding scale tuition costs between $375-$1650. There is a $200 non- refundable deposit to apply that will be deducted from your total payment. If the cost is a barrier for you, we have a limited number of scholarships available and can accommodate payment plans, please indicate on your application.
Payment deadline: December 30, 2024
Your tuition goes toward administrative costs associated with running the program, cover facilitation, curriculum preparation, guest lecturers, instructors, etc. and payments above the minimum sliding scale allow us to offer scholarships to anyone who needs it.
Through supportive group discussions, readings and lecture, participants will leave feeling more equipped to dismantle oppressive systems in a co-created space, collaborate with others from all over the world and be a resource to their communities in building toward a world that affirms bodily autonomy and justice for all bodies and all people.
Application/Enrollment Deadline: December 30, 2024
FAQs
We are a small team fielding a high volume of inquiries, so I highly recommend reading the FAQ below to get some answers to common questions we anticipate and reach out to [email protected] for any other queries you may have. Due to the volume of emails we receive, expect a response within 72 hours or less.
Do I need prior knowledge to attend?
No, this training program has no specific content or educational requirements/prerequisites for participation as it is designed to be accessible to a wide range of folks at varying levels of exposure to these themes—from veteran sexuality educators working in academia to folks simply interested in exploring comprehensive, evidence based, scientifically sound, anti-racist, gender inclusive, queered sex and sexuality education as a resource for their own personal and professional journey.
Do I get a certificate after completing the training?
Yes, you will receive a certificate from us at the completion of the training that commemorates our time together. Lots of sexuality education training programs make use of credentialing from various licensing/certifying bodies and some of them do not. This program can support an array of personal and professional paths, from current or former undergrad or graduate school students, folks with or without HS diplomas and GEDs all the way to those who believe certification and continuing education credits are an important or necessary part to their particular field of interest. We can provide vetted resources to those who wish to undergo the process of certification (which can oftentimes be cumbersome) to help them do so with guidance and ease.
Will I get one-on-one time with the instructor?
Yes, there will be one-on-one time for questions or assistance with the coursework, questions on personal life challenges as it relates to sex and sexuality, as well as career/professional development/consultation opportunities. More info included at the start of classes.
Is this program accessible/what are the accessibility measures?
Yes! It is virtual, every session will have closed captioning, a live chat feature, transcripts available and for any other accessibility needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Do I need to have my camera and microphone on?
No, you do not need to have your camera and microphone on; however please carefully note that this program is designed to be an interactive and participatory learning space so participation is required. It just does not have to look one way.
Who is this for?
Social workers, sex educators and therapists (and those who are looking to become sex educators and therapists), healthcare providers, counselors, birthworkers, community/political organizers, educators (elementary, secondary and collegiate), legal professionals, media professionals, artists, non-profit professionals, sex workers, sex toy shop staff and owners and other sex tech professionals, and anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of human sexuality from a queer, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, trauma informed and pleasure based lens and who want to be a sound, credible resource in this area for their communities.
Format for the training?
Zoom speaker view/meeting, NOT webinar
Are there quizzes and exams?
Yes, there will be assessments but it’s just used as a way for you and I to gauge whether or not the course facilitation and materials are beneficial to multiple styles of learning as well as to see where there are gaps you and I can fill collectively. But, this is the least important aspect of the course, you will not be graded.
If I am not able to join this session, will there be others in the future?
Yes, this is the first cohort but we will have a session in the Spring and Fall of 2025. Sign up for the newsletter at www.ihartericka.com or follow me on Instagram @ihartericka to stay updated on future training sessions.
Can I have my staff participate in this training?
Non profits, orgs and businesses who wish to have staff attend this training and/or are financing this training on behalf of their staff, please email [email protected] for more details.
What resources will I have access to during and following the training?
- Course materials
- Additional recommended reading list and materials
- Network of fellow participants, peers and colleagues
- Follow up consultation with Ericka for personalized guidance
- Feedback, skill sharing, mentorship, advice, guidance in a supportive group environment
- Synchronous learning modules
What is the cancellation/refund policy?
Cancellations made by December 11, 2024 will receive a 100% refund. After this date, no cancellations will be refunded under any circumstances but please feel free to reach out about anything extraneous and we’ll do our best to support. Please carefully consider your ability to participate prior to applying.
