From invisible to indispensable

Case Studies & Research
Chapel Hill
IPAS
2023

New research shows why bisexual and pansexual youth need comprehensive sexuality education that meets their needs. Comprehensive sexuality education (often referred to as CSE) is important to prepare young people for safe, productive, and fulfilling lives. But around the world, CSE programs frequently do not meet the needs of all young people. Youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and beyond (LGBTQIA+) need relevant information about their specific needs and experiences, yet CSE programs often omit this content. Within the LGBTQIA+ youth community, the majority are youth who identify as bisexual and pansexual – and our research shows they feel especially excluded from and underserved by CSE programs. This leads to poorer health outcomes for a youth population that already faces high rates of violence and poor mental and physical health, as well as higher rates of unintended pregnancy than their heterosexual and gay or lesbian peers. Growing attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights and opposition to CSE programs greatly exacerbate the challenges facing these young people around the world.

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