North Shore Collaborative: Sex and Sexuality

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	Resource Topics Abuse Domestic Violence Sexual Assault/Abuse Alcohol and Drug Use/Abuse Bullying & Intimidation Educational Issues Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Effect Learning Disabilities & Special Education School Attendance & Truancy Grief and Loss Mental Health for Children & Youth ADD/ADHD Depression Eating Disorders Self Injury Money Matters Parenting Sex and Sexuality		Sex and Sexuality Talking about sex and sexuality can be a challenge for adults and children both, but is an important challenge for all of us to face. As Minnesota ENABL (Education Now and Babies Later) states, "You can talk to your kids about sex now, or you could wait until you're a grandparent!" Parents are the primary sex educators of their children. Family communication about sexuality issues is a proven factor in preventing problems such as teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Children need comprehensive and accurate information about sexuality in order to make healthy decisions. Sexual identity is another issue of concern. The American Psychiatric Association declared in 1973 that homosexuality is not a mental disorder or a disease, and that it is "different from" but not better or worse than heterosexuality. It is estimated that one in four families has a gay, or homosexual, member (PFLAG, 8/10/94). The Minnesota Department of Health has stated that for every 100 teens in a community, 10 of those young people are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (GLBT) (J. Jernell, 8/19/98). People who are GLBT have parents, grandparents, sisters and brothers, cousins, aunts and uncles, children, and nieces and nephews whom they love and care for. While accepting a family member who is GLBT may be a challenge, the rejection of a person by his/her family is a tragedy for everyone. Local Resources Family Planning Special Project for Cook County Grand Marais 218-387-2216 Family Planning Special Project for Lake County Two Harbors 218-834-2240 Sawtooth Mountain Clinic Family Practice Physicians Grand Marais 218-387-2330 Superior Health Medical Group Two Harbors 218-834-7200 Regional & State Resources MN Family Planning & STD Hotline 800-78-FACTS Women's Health Center: Reproductive care/options 218-727-3352 OUTFRONT Minnesota: GLBT info & 24-hour crisis line 800-800-0350 PFLAG: Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays 218-727-6455 www.pflag.org Together for Youth Support/social group for GLBT teens 218-726-4889 www.togetherforyouth.org National Resources Families Are Talking www.familiesaretalking.org SIECUS (Sexuality Information & Education Council) www.siecus.org Talk With Your Kids www.talkingwithkids.org/sex.html PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays) www.pflag.org BirdsandBees.org information about sexuality, birth control, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases geared to teenagers Disclaimer: Listing of resources and websites is for informational purposes only. Inclusion does not indicate endorsement of any resources or website.

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