Inclusive Sex Ed Taught Friday In Watsonville

WATSONVILLE, CA — A Santa Cruz-based nonprofit dedicated to serving LGBTQ+ individuals is hosting an inclusive sex education event in Watsonville Friday.

The Diversity Center is hosting the event to give LGBTQ+ youth a safe space to ask questions that they might not otherwise ask in school, said Sharon Papo, executive director of the organization. LGBTQ+ youth, in particular, are at higher risk of health disparities, unintentional pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and HIV, Papo said.

"We know it's important that young people have good information so that they can keep their bodies safe," Papo said.

The curriculum is essentially the same as what's taught in schools, Papo said. Nancy Willard, a senior health educator with Santa Cruz County, will lead the class.

California schools are required to provide students in 7th through 12th grades with comprehensive sex education. But implementation isn't always consistent, Papo said. In one school, a teacher with excellent training might be leading the conversation, but in other schools, a teacher without as much training might be teaching sex ed.

And yes, there will be "hella snacks," the nonprofit wrote on Twitter.

The Diversity Center holds LGBTQ+ youth meet-ups Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at First Christian Church (15 Madison St.) in Watsonville.

If you miss that event, the nonprofit hosts meet-ups Saturdays in Santa Cruz from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at The Diversity Center office (1117 Soquel Ave.).