Welcome back, my beloved readers! I hope you are all doing well. We have just concluded Module 3 in the last article, but if you aren't familiar with me or my work, let me take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Emily Kane, and I am a 26-year-old artist who has found empowerment through education. My goal is to share the knowledge I've gained about sexual wellness to help others feel free from shame and discomfort surrounding sexuality. To achieve this, I am currently enrolled in SHA’s Sex Educator Certification program at SHA. In module 3, we covered everything about Sex and Power. Whether it was a power imbalance, finding self-empowerment through sex work, or simply finding joy in sex.
Some things I learned in Module 3 of my Sex Educator Certification
Sex Addiction
Sexual Assault
What Causes Sexual Shame
My Sex Educator Certification at the Sexual Health Alliance: Module 4 Part 1
We are now in Module 4, "Gender, Sexuality, and Relationship Diversity."! This module examines various crucial topics related to gender, sexuality, and relationships that may arise during discussions with clients. The first half examines these areas comprehensively, while the second half focuses on more complex issues concerning disability and neurodiversity. Topics range from sexual identities to relationship anarchy, providing a rich framework for understanding diverse perspectives. It's an essential examination of how these aspects influence one another and affect individuals' experiences, so stay tuned for Part Two, which will delve deeper into these critical issues.
Gender Orientation and Sexuality
The overlap of gender orientation and sexuality may be confusing to some. This unit will cover the introductory aspects of gender and its overlap with sexuality. Many lesser-known sexualities are also discussed, like Omnisexual and Panromantic. There is a lot of nuance when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community and how each group of identities interacts with each other within the community. After the foundations are built, we dive into more difficult topics such as intercommunal discrimination towards people who identify as Bisexual or Asexual. We even discuss some theories surrounding sexuality, particularly the” born this way” argument about sexuality.
Some Things I Learned
Gender Orientation and Sexuality 101
Bisexual Erasure
Debunking Asexuality Myths
Gender Diversity
Building on your understanding of Sexuality, this unit provides more detailed information on gender. Here, we discuss all aspects of gender and transition. How do we talk about gender, and why are some people so against gender transitioning? Although I am cisgender (born a woman and identify as a woman), this is a subject I hold very close to my heart and find incredibly important. In this unit, I was particularly moved by the video “In The Life, Episode 2002 - Gen Silent,” which showcases a trans woman dying of cancer and the struggle of receiving end-of-life care as a trans woman whose family didn't accept her identity. I can not stress enough how important it is to care about and protect the rights of trans people!
Some Things I Learned
Standard of Care for Transgender People
Being Transgender and Black
Gender Afirming Care’s intersection with sexuality
Kink and Relationship Diversity
In this unit, we cover everything kink! A fun unit indeed. Now, this unit isn't a comprehensive how-to guide on everything, but instead discusses how it intersects with relationships, why people engage in it, and the various issues that may arise. Many types of relationships are discussed in this unit, from polyamorous, manogomish, to relationship anarchy. We also touch upon porn usage and the debate on how much is too much and is it bad for you. Much of this focuses on navigating the world's various relationships and understanding why they are suitable for some people and how they function.
Some Things to keep in mind
Paraphilic Disorders
Kink Aware Therapy
Jealousy in Open Relationships
Sex educator certification: What comes next?
Wrapping up Module 4, Part 1 of my Sexuality Educator Certification at the Sexual Health Alliance has been an eye-opener. We’ve tackled some profound topics related to gender, sexuality, and various kinds of relationships—issues that are crucial for fostering a deeper understanding of one another and any potential clients we may have.
We started with the basics around gender and sexuality, looked at how diverse identities matter, and even had some fun exploring kink and various relationship styles. Every lesson has only strengthened my desire to push for open conversations about these subjects. And learn even more!
I’m looking forward to Part 2, where we’ll delve into even more complex issues, such as disability and neurodiversity, and explore their connections with gender and sexuality. These discussions are crucial for building an inclusive community where everyone's experiences and identities are valued.
I frequently emphasize the importance of education, and I will do so once again! Our education on sexual wellness is vital to understanding ourselves and others. Education in these subject matters has been shown to help alleviate shame and promote kindness. The world is in dire need of some kindness at this moment. Topics such as Trangener people and discrimination against all minorities are at the forefront of media currently, so let's be sure to spread some love and help break down some of the harmful myths and misinformation when we see it!
Stay tuned for more insights in Part 2, and feel free to reach out if you’ve got any questions or just want to chat!
If you want to get certified, take the SHA Certification Quiz to see which certification is perfect for you. If you already know you want to join me in pursuing your Sexuality Educator Certification, apply here! If you have any questions, please email shacertifications@gmail.com.
Learn more about becoming certified with SHA!
