Leveraging Comprehensive Sexuality Education as a Tool for Knowledge, Equity, and Inclusion

BACKGROUND: Sexual education programs in the United States are rooted in inequitable structures and are often inadequate at educating marginalized student groups such as students of color, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+), women, and disabled students. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEORY: Current sexual education is irregularly implemented and often excludes or misrepresents the experiences of students with marginalized identities. This theoretical paper specifically discusses ways that sexual education has been harmful or exclusionary for marginalized student groups and how a shift toward making sexual education inclusive and equitable will improve outcomes for students of all identities. IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: This paper discusses several recommendations on improving access to equitable sexual health education for all students including reviewing and improving sexual education curriculum and delivery, as well as the need for additional research focused on this topic. CONCLUSIONS: This article provides an overview on the current sexual education system, its inadequacies, and how comprehensive sexuality education programs can be leveraged as a tool for equity for students of all backgrounds, but particularly those who are underrepresented in sexual education curricula.