By TeensFor Teens
sexetc.org
Spring 2016
sexetc.org
For TeensBy Teens
Teens talkFriends, Families,
and Paners
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Funding to support
Sex, Etc.
comes in part from the following:
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Sex, Etc.
is published by Answer.
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Sex, Etc.
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Sex, Etc.
relies on a review board of sexual health experts to ensure that we provide medically accurate sexual health information.Copyright © 2016
Stella Balsamini, 18 Jordan Chester, 17 David Guirgis, 17 Gillian Hatcher, 17 Spencer Jovellanos, 17 Adrian Lam, 16 Jack McNeilly, 16 Alexis Pawlowski, 17 McKenna Pope, 16 Shelsea Rodriguez, 16 Michael Rozzelle, 18 Svanik Shirodkar, 15
4 Staff Talks
What’s the
Sex, Etc.
teen editorial staff talking about this spring?
5 Web, Etc.
Get the latest on Sexetc.org.
IN THE KNOW
6 News, Etc.
News on young women with disabilities advocating for access to reproductive health services, a study showing that being transgender is not linked to hormonal imbalance and rising rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
7 Sex 411
Is it possible to masturbate too much? How do you start a conversation with your parents if you’ve got questions about sex? We’ve got answers to these and other questions.
8 Our Health
Alexis talks with a nurse practitioner about vaginal health and what’s normal when it comes to vaginal discharge.
PERSPECTIVES
9 Family Matters
You’ve come out to your parents—now what? Gillian shares how her relationship with her mother changed after she came out.
10 Faces of Change
Marcella Morales-Lugo is a member of Advocates for Youth’s Young Women of Color Leadership Council. Learn what inspired Marcella to change sex ed at her school.
11 The Spectrum
Where do you stand on the importance of virginity? David talks to teens about what virginity means to them.
BACK IT UP
18 #Relationships
Mike hears from teens around the country about how their past #relationships affect their current ones and whether there are things they wish they could change about them.
FEATURES
12 Learning From Past Relationships
Do past romantic relationships affect how you relate to a new partner? McKenna considers what you can learn from your past relationships.
14 How Our Families Influence Our Ideas About Sex
Did your parents steer clear of conversations about sex and sexuality? Or were they open to talking about it? Adrian considers how your relationship with your parents and what they do or don’t say about sex and sexuality affects you.
16 That’s What Friends Are For
Are your friends people you can trust when it comes to talking honestly about sex? Or are they the people who tease you for how much or little sexual experience you have? Jack considers the impact your relationships with friends can have on your sexual beliefs and behaviors.
Lucinda Holt, M.A.
Director of Communications
Erica Pass, Psy. D.
Editor
Aimee Pelletier
Copy Editor
The Public
Graphic Design
Nicole Cushman, M.P.H.
Executive Director
Susan N. Wilson, MS.Ed.
Senior Advisor
2015-2016 EDITORIAL STAFF
ISSUE 31 Spring 2016
Contents
2
sexetc.org
2
sexetc.org
Teens talk
RELATIONSHIPS
Editorial Staff & Contributors
RELATIONSHIPS
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3
Why Wonder?