sexetc.

org By Teens For Teens Spring 2019

25 Years
Then + Now
 Contents
ISSUE 40 Spring 2019

4 Staff Talks
What’s the Sex, Etc. teen editorial staff
talking about this spring?
5 Web, Etc.
Get the latest on Sexetc.org.
IN THE KNOW
6 News, Etc.
In honor of Sex, Etc.’s 25th anniversary,
Tiffany looks back on how news about
sex and sexual health has changed over
the years. From consent and safer sex to
LGBTQ issues, you might be surprised at
how the news has evolved!
7 Sex 411
How do you know if you’re gay? Will you still
be considered or feel “sexy” if you choose
not to shave? We’ve got answers to these
and other questions.
8 Our Health
Jack takes a look at how Sex, Etc.’s
coverage of HIV/AIDS has changed over the
last 25 years.
COVER MODEL: HARMEET REHAL
PHOTOGRAPHY: JENNIFER ROWSOM
FEATURES
10 An Interview With Susie 14 Sex Education for
Wilson: Sex, Etc. Founder People With Disabilities
It’s important that all teens have access to
and Sex Ed Champion sex ed that speaks to them, including teens
Can you believe Sex, Etc. has been around for
living with a disability. Sarah talks with a
25 years? Maura sits down with the woman
former teen staffer and a sex educator about
who started it all, Susie Wilson, for an in-depth
interview about how Sex, Etc. started and
the importance of sex ed that is inclusive of
those who are differently abled.
where it’s going.
16 LGBTQ Teens Deserve
12 Answering Teens’
Questions About Sex for Sex Ed That Speaks to
25 Years Them
Sex, Etc. has always made it a point to
We’ve always strived to answer teens’
include the perspectives of LGBTQ young
questions about sex honestly and accurately.
people. Eka speaks with former teen staff
Isabella Gonzalez explains why this matters
members who identify as LGBTQ about their
and how Sex, Etc. has made this a priority
experiences being on staff and with sex ed in
from the start.
their schools.
PERSPECTIVES BACK IT UP
9 Family Matters 17 #Then&Now
What’s it like when you think your parent Our almost 300 teen staff members have
won’t accept your sexual orientation? been the heart of Sex, Etc. for 25 years!
Isabella Yurman explains why she felt like Misha’el speaks with a range of former
she couldn’t be honest with her father about staffers about their memories of being on staff
her being gay. and what they’re up to now.

2018-2019 EDITORIAL STAFF Funding to support Sex, Etc. Phone: 848.445.7929

comes in part from the following: Email: sexetc@rutgers.edu
Naomi Akiyama, 18 Lucinda Holt, M.A.
Website: http://answer.rutgers.edu
Ellie Alpizar, 17 Director of Communications Mary Owen Borden Foundation,
Carley Campbell, 18 Erica Pass, Psy.D. E. J. Grassman Trust, Grove Donations to support Sex,
Kira Edgar, 18 Editor Foundation, The George Etc. can be sent via check to
Ryan Fowler, 16 Aimee Pelletier Gund Foundation, Harbourton the address above and made
Maura Freeland, 18 Copy Editor Foundation, WestWind payable to “Answer/Rutgers
Isabella Gonzalez, 18 The Public Foundation and generous University Foundation.” Or go to
Nathan Lam, 16 Graphic Design individual donors. http://answer.rutgers.edu and
Tiffany Liang, 18 Nicole Cushman, M.P.H. Views expressed in the magazine click on “Donate.”
Misha’el Richardson, 15 Executive Director do not necessarily reflect those
Sex, Etc. relies on a review board of
Jack Scala, 17 Susan N. Wilson, MS.Ed. of the funders.
sexual health experts to ensure that
Eka Tawe, 17 Senior Advisor
we provide medically accurate sexual
Parth Thakkar, 16 Sex, Etc. is published by Answer.
health information.
Mack Toth, 17
Answer
Kayleigh Wharton, 17 Copyright © 2019
Center for Applied Psychology
Isabella Yurman, 17
Rutgers University
41 Gordon Road, Suite C
Piscataway, NJ 08854

2 sexetc.org
Editorial Staff & Contributors
Then + Now

17
Ellie Alpizar,
Then: Riots
Now: Rights
pbell, 18

r, 16
Carley Cam

Ryan Fowle
hardson, 15

Then: Trees Then: Vine

nzalez, 18
nks, trees!)
Now: Air (Tha Now: TikTok
Misha’el Ric

Isabella Go
ce
Then: Myspa m e Rush
Then: Big Tim matters
ra
Now: Instag even
Now: Nothing
g, 18
Eka Tawe, 17

ma, 18
Tiffany Lian

sed ret Sanger

Then: Confu Then: Marga cessible
: Bi se xu al
Now : M ore ac

Naomi Akiya
Now
birth control
17

Mars
Then: Bruno Mars
Jack Scala,

: St ill Br un o
x Now “Finesse”
Then: Netfli (What ca n I sa y?
Now: Hulu is a bo p! )
an, 17
Isabella Yurm

18

ade Mouth
Kira Edgar,

Then: Lemon sus herself,

Je
, 16

sbian
Now: Le
ko (Love ya, Then: Cats
Hayley Kiyo Now: Catdo
gs
Nathan Lam

H ley!)
ay
17

is 2+3?
Then: What
Mack Toth,

t is the integral of
Libby Now: Wha
Then: I met [1+ (1/ x^2)]dx?
: I w rit e for Sex, Etc. [cot^-1(e^x)]/
N ow
, 18 land

Baum, 18
ar, 16

Maura Free
harton, 17
Parth Thakk

indsor
Then: Edie W uality
’t ge eq
owns couldn ar ria
Sarah Emily

Now: M
Then: The Br ayoffs.
make the pl
owns still ca
n’t Then: Broke
Now: The Br
Kayleigh W

ayof fs. Now: Woke

make the pl
m inventors
Then: Condo r sex
Now : Sa fe

Why Wonder? 3
 Staff Talks
Then + Now
By Parth Thakkar, 16, Staff Writer

It’s Sex, Etc.’s 25th anniversary! Let’s celebrate!

In honor of the occasion, in this issue, we’ll be looking back at
Sex, Etc. then versus now, as well as how sex education and
how we talk about sex has changed over the years. Our feature
stories address topics like how Sex, Etc. came to be, why sex
education for teens living with disabilities is essential and why it’s
so important to talk honestly with teens about sex.
In Maura’s feature story, “An Interview With Susie Wilson: Sex, Etc.
Founder and Sex Ed Champion,” we learn how Sex, Etc. started
providing sexual health information by teens for teens, as well as
what Susie’s hopes are for Sex, Etc.’s future.
In “Answering Teens’ Questions About Sex for 25 Years,” Isabella
writes about how Sex, Etc. has always made it a priority to answer
teens’ sexual health questions honestly and accurately. In this
story, she talks about the importance of the “Sex 411” section,
where staff writers directly answer teens’ questions. Isabella even
interviews one of the first authors to contribute to “Sex 411” back
in 2003!
Sarah’s feature, “Sex Education for People With Disabilities,”
acknowledges the challenges people with physical, intellectual
and developmental disabilities face when it comes to receiving
adequate and accurate sex education. She shares the perspectives
of a former staff writer who wrote about sexuality and living with
a disability when he was on staff, as well as a sex educator who
specializes in working with people with disabilities.
Finally, Eka’s story, “LGBTQ Teens Deserve Sex Ed That Speaks
to Them,” describes the sex ed experiences of former teen staff
members who identify as LGBTQ and what it was like for them to
write for Sex, Etc. Eka’s feature also addresses how Sex, Etc. has
been educating teens about sexual orientation and gender identity
and creating an inclusive and informative community that has
helped teens across the country feel seen, heard and valued.
Readers just like you have been reading Sex, Etc. for 25 years! Can
you believe it? Thanks for coming along on this journey! We hope
this issue provides the kind of sexual health information you need
and deserve.

4 sexetc.org
 Web, Etc. top stories and posts

The Anxiety of Coming Out Gender Identity  alking About Sex With a
T
as Bisexual Partner Doesn’t Have to Be
Scary

Your Mental Health Matters Taking Your Time—Puberty, Parental Consent

Kissing and More

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Why Wonder? 5
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