Did you grow up in a naked house?

I did not grow up in a naked house but I like to imagine a family where members openly dress in front of others, you get a hug and a box of tampons when menarche* begins, dating advice is actively given by elders who genuinely ask you if you have a crush on anyone in your class.

For lots of understandable reasons, we didn’t move into a naked house when came to the US; instead, I gathered my intel on anything related to sex and sexual health from magazines at the library, cousins and the world around me. I was left with more questions than answers… and the heart of why I became a sexuality educator. 

Ever since, I center that awkward younger self as a reminder to my (still awkward) adult self when preparing curricula, materials or workshops to meet participants where they are, including their (dis)comfort and everything they bring with them: 

• How can I make sure the session and information is accessible? 

• Are there enough differentiated entry points for who will be in the room? 

• How am I ensuring our discussion is reflective of the people and the room while safe for sharing? 

• What relevant skills or concepts do I want folks to leave with?

If you answered yes to my question about the naked house, chances are your naked house experience is different from the one others grew up with and there’s still so much more to learn and unpack. For those of us who answered no, there are lots of reasons for why and there’s still so much to learn and unpack

*in this version of Naked House, people use this word for the first period