In Case You’re Curious: For Teens

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ICYC	Colorado
PPGA	Georgia
PPMS	Mississippi
PPLV	Nevada
PPNM	New Mexico
ASKWY	Wyoming
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Pronouns are words that can replace someone’s na

Pronouns are words that can replace someone’s name. “They,” “she,” and “he,” are all examples of pronouns (but there are lots of other pronouns out there, too!). Pronouns are important! They’re a part of who someone is. So respecting someone’s pronouns is part of respecting who they are. That’s why it’s important to think about what to do if you make a mistake and use the wrong pronouns for someone.

The first thing you can do is apologize. This can sound as simple as saying “I’m sorry.” While apologizing can be an important step, it’s also important to not over-apologize or over-explain. This can put the person’s whose pronouns you messed up in a position of feeling like it’s their job to comfort you or ease your guilt (when it’s really not). So it’s best to keep it short and sweet and move on to step 2: correct yourself. As soon as you realize you’ve used the wrong pronoun (or as soon as it’s been pointed out to you), you should correct yourself by using the correct pronoun. This is important whether or not that person happens to be around. Step 3 is not something you do in the moment, but rather a commitment to do better in the future. For many people, that means practicing getting pronouns right. So practice in your head! Practice out loud! Do whatever you need to do to make sure you can respect peoples’ pronouns in the future.

And remember: It’s not about you, so don’t make it about you! The important thing is to show respect for people. So apologize, correct yourself, and do better! Everyone deserves to have their pronouns respected.

Some folks may call "hand sex" fingering or digita

Some folks may call "hand sex" fingering or digital sex, and it means a person using their hand to touch or insert into another person's genitals.

While it is considered a "low risk" sexual activity, because it cannot result in a pregnancy and passing a sexually transmitted infection is less than say oral, anal or vaginal sex, there are still some risks involved. So it's a great question to ask!

A person would want to make sure their hand is clean, by washing it with soap and water before having sex. This is because our hands can have bacteria and germs on them and under our fingernails, which could cause an infection (like bacterial vaginosis).

Another way to make hand sex safer is by using finger cots. They look like little condoms and are used by placing them over a finger (usually used by folks cooking in restaurants when they get a cut) and they are sold in pharmacies. Finger cots are usually made of latex, so for a latex free option, a person could use nitrile gloves (like they use in a doctor's office). #icyc #incaseyourecurious #safersex #fingercots #fingercondoms #washyourhands

No way! Some people are really interested in and e

No way! Some people are really interested in and enjoy sex and some people don't. Whatever the case is, it's all totally normal!

Some folks who are not sexually attracted to other folks identify as asexual, which is the "A" in LGBTQIA. Some folks who are asexual still choose to be in romantic relationships with a partner who understands and respects their boundaries.

Some folks who are asexual may choose to masturbate (touching one's own genitals for sexual pleasure) and some folks don't.

So, as you can see, it's perfectly normal for however you feel and whether you are or aren't interested in sex for now or for the rest of your life, it's totally ok! #icyc #incaseyourecurious #asexual #asexualawareness #asexualityisreal #asexuality #asexualityisnormal

Got Thursday plans? Join us for some Sex Ed Lotería! This bilingual (English/Spanish) virtual event will be a chance to show off what you already know, and learn a little more along the way. Sex education is for everyone! More info below:

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¡Únase con el programa Raiz de Nuevo México y el Instituto de Educación Sexual Responsable (RSEI) jueves 8 de abril de 5:30 pm – 7 pm MST para una noche de Lotería de Educación Sexual! Los premios incluyen regalos de Raiz. Por favor registrarse en el enlace en nuestra bio.

Join the RAIZ program of New Mexico and the Responsible Sex Education Institute (RSEI) on Thursday, April 8th from 5:30 pm – 7 pm MST for a night of Sex Education Lotería. Prizes include RAIZ swag! Please RSVP at the link in our bio.

So we know that consent during sex is a must, but

So we know that consent during sex is a must, but sometimes when we have a partner who is nonverbal, it may look a little different than a person saying "yes".

People who are nonverbal may use different forms of communication and these can be used for consent during sex.

Finding out how your partner feels best communicating before sex is important. Getting creative by using hand signals or gestures (if possible) could be helpful.

And if you are ever not sure if your partner is consenting during sex, whether a person is nonverbal or verbal, it is important to stop and check in with them so that everyone feels safe!

#icyc #incaseyourecurious #consent #consentmatters #nonverbal #nonvervalcommunication

April is STI Awareness Month! Sexually Transmitte

April is STI Awareness Month!

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can transmit or pass from oral, anal, or vaginal sex and from skin to skin contact of infected areas. No matter what someone’s gender or their genitals, getting tested for STIs is a great way to stay healthy if they’re sexually active. Be honest with your healthcare provider about what types of sex you’re having. There are different types of STI tests including a urine test, blood test, or swabbing of the mouth/throat, anus, or vagina. Stigma about STIs can make talking to a partner about testing uncomfortable. It’s ok to ask something like, “When were you last tested?” or even, “Do you want to go get tested together?” Talking about STI testing and treatment (AND condoms & dental dams) can build trust, an important part of a healthy relationship.

There are many barriers to quality healthcare, inc

There are many barriers to quality healthcare, including cissexism and transphobia from providers and medical systems. It can be difficult and scary to find a trusted provider. Local LGBTQ+ organizations and transgender resources centers may have a provider list and some online LGBTQ+ spaces offer referrals or reviews of providers. Talking to other people in your community can help when it comes to finding care. Everyone deserves accessible and inclusive healthcare.

#TransDayOfVisibility #TDOV #TransWeekOfAction #TransWeekOfVisibility #HealthCare #Access #LGBTQ #HealthcareProvider #Health #Inclusive #CareNoMatterWhat #PlannedParenthood #SexEd #ICYC #InCaseYoureCurious

This post was designed by a high school senior int

This post was designed by a high school senior interning with us through @faces4futurecoalition! We’re excited to share more post designed through this partnership. Read on for the answer to this question.

No, this is a common myth. Penis size cannot be determined by hand size. Everyone’s body is different, from their hands to their genitals. Whatever someone’s body looks like is healthy and normal for them.

#HandSize #Cucumber #Size #Myth #TheMoreYouKnow #FacesForTheFuture #ChangingTheFacesOfMedicine #InCaseYoureCurious #ICYC #EveryonesBodyIsDifferent #DifferentIsNormal

There are SO many reasons why a couple might "spli

There are SO many reasons why a couple might "split" (thank you, we'll be here all night!).

People might break up because they no longer feel the same in their relationship as they did before. This can happen for a lot of different reasons! Maybe they've found themselves liking someone new, or maybe they've realized that they want something different in their relationship.

People might break up because someone did something "wrong," something hurtful, or something that makes their partner change how they feel about them.

People might break up because they are going to a new school, are moving towns, or they just find themselves moving on.

People also might break up because they no longer feel safe in their relationship.

And finally, people may not have a specific reason for breaking up besides that it's just not what they want anymore. That's okay too!

No matter the reason WHY people break up, it's important to respect that's what someone wants. Even if you feel differently! There is no wrong reason for breaking up, but there's a wrong way to handle getting broken up with, and that's by pressuring, pleading, or pushing your partner (or... well...ex-partner!) to stay in a relationship that no longer serves them.

Only you know what's right for you! But that means other people know what's right for them, too. Break ups happen! Talking to your friends, families, or other trusted adults about it can really help. Remember, many of them have been through their own break ups too!

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