Reflections From a Recent Sexuality Conference
I recently attended a sexuality, therapy, and public health conference—one of those rare spaces where research, practice, and community collide in the best possible way. I spotted so many SHA community members, reconnecting with colleagues and meeting practitioners who are studying and serving diverse communities.
From Emily Nagoski’s keynote on why our work is more relevant than ever, to cross-disciplinary hallway conversations, there was a palpable sense of momentum. Sexual health professionals are taking up space—and the field needs us.
If you haven’t been to a sexuality conference like SHA’s Annual Conference, this is your sign. These gatherings are more than events—they’re ecosystems of support, learning, and connection, especially in times of uncertainty. While this conference didn’t feature engaging after-hours events like SHA’s famous masquerade ball, the learning and networking opportunities were invaluable.
As several presenters noted, our field remains underfunded, stigmatized, and fragmented. These challenges are amplified by the current political climate. Travel restrictions and safety concerns were on many attendees’ minds, with some openly sharing why they couldn’t attend in person. The experience was a powerful reminder of both the strength of our community and the vulnerability of the work we do.
Why Measurement Matters: The Foundation of Quality Sexual Health Research
One theme kept surfacing throughout the sessions: even in a sexuality-focused space, we are still grappling with inconsistent and incomplete ways of measuring sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity (SSOGI). Variations in measurement, lack of shared definitions, and persistent use of binary or outdated categories all shape what we learn—and what we fail to see—about human experiences.
Sexual and gender minoritized individuals face higher rates of mental health challenges, substance use, and adverse sexual health outcomes due to discrimination, stress, and structural barriers.
In 2022, the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a report recommending standardized survey language for sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
Even with these guidelines, problems persist. Many studies still use simple “male/female” categories. While more research now includes a transgender option, this can force respondents to choose between mutually exclusive labels or ignore nonbinary identities entirely, erasing different identities.
A recent systematic review examining SSOGI measurement gaps provides further clarity. Reviewing 30 articles published from 2012 to 2022, the study highlights profound consequences of inconsistent measurement and offers a roadmap for improvement.
For sexual health professionals, this matters deeply. We rely on research to guide our teaching, clinical work, and interactions with clients. When measurement is flawed, the downstream effects include:
Misdiagnosis
Erasing identities
Reinforcing inequities
Producing data that is difficult (or impossible) to compare or apply
Measurement accuracy shapes everything from prevalence estimates to treatment recommendations. When the foundation is shaky, the whole structure wobbles.
Gaps in Measurements: What the Review Reveals
The review identified several notable gaps:
About half of SSOGI measurement studies focused on gender identity
Four in ten focused on sexual orientation
Only one study addressed asexuality-specific measurements
Only one study focused on sex assigned at birth
Only one explored variations of sexual characteristics
Even in the more studied areas, measurement approaches varied widely:
Nearly two-thirds of studies assessed sexual orientation using a single domain (identity or attraction).
Only about one-third used multidimensional measures, capturing aspects like identity, behavior, and attraction. Some also included sexual, romantic, emotional, or social dimensions.
In practice, this means:
Overreliance on binary or outdated categories
Lack of standardized SSOGI measures, complicating cross-study comparisons
Limited inclusion of diverse sexualities and gender experiences
Inconsistent operationalization across fields such as public health, psychology, and medicine
When studies use different definitions, categories, or assumptions, it becomes nearly impossible to synthesize the evidence. Certain populations become invisible in the data, and interventions built on that evidence may miss the mark—or exclude entire communities.
What These Gaps Mean for Sexual Health Professionals
These research limitations don’t stay in academia; they show up in our therapy rooms, classrooms, intake forms, and clinical decision-making.
Intake forms and assessments often mirror the same restrictive categories seen in research.
Therapeutic conversations can unintentionally replicate these limits, leading clinicians to rely on incomplete or inaccurate assumptions.
Client care suffers when our tools do not capture the complexity of human sexuality and gender.
Education often does not adequately explore these topics, further erasing or failing to represent identities.
But this is also where sexual health professionals have enormous power to lead change.
Opportunities for Sexual Health Professionals to Lead
Sexual health professionals can transform both the research landscape and everyday practice through:
Adopting inclusive, validated SOGI measures that reflect contemporary understanding
Asking open-ended, identity-affirming questions rather than pushing individuals to pick between predefined boxes
Advocating for better institutional data practices, including how electronic health records capture identity
Partnering with researchers so clinical and educational insights shape study design
Training peers and emerging professionals on the importance of precise, inclusive measurement
These steps don’t just improve data; they improve care.
SHA’s Role: Bridging Research and Practice
SHA provides the framework to turn research into practice. Grounded in a sex-positive, research-informed, and client-centered model, SHA helps professionals stay current and translate science into actionable strategies.
Through:
Inclusive assessment trainings
Courses combining scientific findings with real-world clinical challenges
Guidance on affirming care for diverse identities and relationship structures
SHA is helping fill the gaps that research alone cannot.
Moving Toward a More Inclusive Research Future
Measurement gaps aren’t permanent; they’re opportunities. The conference reminded me that the future of sex research depends on a collective effort between researchers and clinicians. By engaging with new findings, questioning the tools we use, and advocating for better data, the field evolves.
The energy at the conference made it clear: we are not working alone. Together, we can push for more accurate, inclusive, and responsive sexual health research that genuinely reflects the people we serve.
This is where SHA’s community and events play a critical role. Conferences, workshops, study abroad programs, and other networking opportunities allow professionals to connect, share knowledge, and learn from diverse perspectives. By participating in these experiences, clinicians and educators can build relationships, expand understanding, and develop the skills needed to help lead the shift toward more inclusive, accurate, and affirming sexual health research and practice.
Now is the time for sexual health professionals to lead the shift.
Written by Emma Sell-Goodhand, MPH
Emma is a doctoral student and Global One Health Fellow at North Carolina State University studying adolescent sexual health. She brings prior experience as a Technical Advisor at the World Health Organization.
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