Development and pilot of an LGBTQ+ inclusive sexual health education curriculum through a community and youth-driven initiative

Due to the recent shifts in the political climate of the United States towards limiting access to LGBTQ+ content and supportive services in schools, queer youth have greater challenges finding educational content geared toward them. Research has shown that queer youth often rely upon the internet to find information that is helpful, relevant, and affirming of their identities. Queer youth, often due to stigma and discrimination, have increased sexual health risks, including more frequent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and unintended pregnancy. The present article describes a pilot study on an evidence-based, comprehensive, social justice and queer-centered curriculum co-developed by a Midwestern LGBTQ+ Center and a research team. Pilot testing of this curriculum was completed with 33 youth ages 15–27 of diverse sexual and gender identities. After completing the curriculum, youth reported several key themes: (1) being given the opportunity through the curriculum to explore their identities, (2) feeling validated in their identities, (3) building awareness of dominant cultural narratives, and (4) being able to engage in deeper conversations around how to engage in sex that felt healthy, pleasurable, and consistent with their identities. The findings from this pilot study integrate feedback to make curricular improvement prior to additional dissemination.