Be on the Youth Team with new "fYrefly in Schools" program!

Calgary area YOUTH!!!!

 

Do you want to improve school climates for all students, particularly LGBTQ students? Become part of the youth team for the new "fYrefly in Schools" workshop program!

 

“fYrefly in Schools” is a new educational initiative developed to help reduce discrimination against sexual and gender minority youth, increase awareness of the impacts of homophobia and transphobia, and create safe and inclusive school environments for all students.

 

Designed for junior and senior high school students, “fYrefly in Schools” workshops are student-centered and activity-based to focus on personal and social development and comprehensive health. Workshops follow the peer-to-peer mentorship model of our award-winning summer leadership retreat, Camp fYrefly.

► To participate in this educational program, you MUST attend the training on September 28th!

“fYrefly in Schools” Calgary Workshop Training

 

If you are a youth (under 25) who is interested in developing leadership skills, sharing your lived experience as a sexual or gender minority or ally, and want to give back to your community, this program is for you!

We are looking to train 20 youth to help deliver school-based presentations throughout the 2013 school year. All “fYrefly in Schools” presentations are facilitated by experienced presenters in conjunction with student panelists.

 

 

Sat Sept 28, 2013

10am – 3 pm

Calgary Sexual Health Centre

Suite 304, 301 14^thSt. NW

RSVP: By September 25^th

to finscalgary@ualberta.ca

 

 

Wanna know more about the program? Check out the brochure or the FAQs page for more details.

 

Questions? Please contact Nick Moore:

E-mail: finscalgary@ualberta.ca

Phone: 403-283-5580 ext.308

First meeting of the new school year! --> Calgary GSA Network Roundtable Meeting

The Calgary (and area) GSA Network invites Students and Education Staff to attend the first meeting of the new school year!


Calgary Gay-Straight Alliance Roundtable
Getting Going and Setting Goals!
 
Tuesday, September 24th, 2013
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association Community Centre
1320 - 5 Avenue NW, Calgary
(Free parking and just a few minutes walk from the Sunnyside C-Train station)


Bring out your GSA, friends and teachers!
FREE food and drinks will be provided!


Purpose of the meeting:



Please share this poster!

► Network and meet other youth and GSA’s in the city

► Learn about resources and supports for your GSA

► Brainstorming and sharing ideas and goals

► Tips on how to run effective meetings

► Discuss how to develop safe and inclusive environments in Calgary and areas schools

RSVP to:
Call Nick Moore at 403. 283. 5580 ext. 308
Email: nmoore@calgarysexualhealth.ca

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What is the Calgary GSA Network?

Meetings are held once a month (during the school year) for students, teachers, staff, and administrators to meet, network, and share strategies in support of sexual and gender minority (LGBTQA) youth attending schools in Calgary and surrounding communities.

The purpose of these monthly Roundtable Meetings is to provide resources, supports and connections to schools in order to assist GSA’s in creating safe, inclusive, and equitable school environments for sexual and gender minority students, questioning students, and students from same-sex parented families.

The Calgary GSA Roundtable meetings are hosted by the Calgary Sexual Health Centre and are supported by a number of different community groups and agencies and school communities.

Check out our previous blog post about the 1 year anniversary of the Calgary GSA Network!

Infographic: How to turn boys into WiseGuyz

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WiseGuyz is a ground-breaking 14 week program that provides targets education, skills development and support to young men to help them achieve sexual well-being and healthy relationships.

The program employs a comprehensive approach to sexual health that recognizes that sexuality and male gender norms influence young men's attitudes, actions, relationships and their sexual experiences.

The program is currently running in three public Junior High Schools. It has been featured on CTV News and as a cover story in the Globe and Mail.

Questions asked during Sex Ed Class - Part 2: Sex

My boyfriend and I just started having sex and I missed my period, is that normal?
If you are not using protection, there is a risk of pregnancy but there are other factors that can cause a person to miss a period.

Some questions to ask yourself are: Is my period normally regular? Could it be late? Am I feeling stressed out about life, school or even the possibility of being pregnant (sometimes stress can cause a delay in menstruation)?

If you are worried about an unplanned pregnancy, it is wise to get a pregnancy test. They are available at any pharmacy or free at our office.



Is it true if a girl doesn’t bleed the first time she isn’t a virgin?

No. Many people believe that if a woman has never had sex before, her hymen will tear the first time. (The hymen is a piece of skin that partially covers the opening to the vagina.) However not all women are born with a hymen, and the hymen can be very thin and stretch out with normal physical activity as a child (riding a bike or a horse, etc.) Some women have a hymen and still don't bleed the first time they have sex.

Every woman is a bit different. If a woman or girl doesn't bleed or doesn't have a hymen it does not mean she has had sex.



Can you get pregnant by masturbating beside each other?

For there to be a risk of pregnancy, pre-come and/or semen need to be on the vulva, in the vagina, or around the anus (because it is mere inches from the vagina). This is a very low risk activity for pregnancy and STIs, if the male partner ejaculates far from his partner's genitals, and washes his hands and body well afterwards.



If you are going to have sex for the first time and you are scared, what should you do?

Very good question. People should pay attention to how they feel inside and what their bodies are telling them. A bit of nervousness is normal but if you are feeling scared, pressured or find you are not aroused or turned on, then it is likely not the right time yet.

Remember if a person is not feeling comfortable she or he has the right to stop sex at ANY time. Consent means two people (or more) deciding to do the same thing at the same time, in the same way with each other. Any sexual act that is initiated upon someone without consent is illegal.

Bringing Camp Fyrefly to Calgary!

The Calgary Sexual Health Centre and the University of Alberta’s Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services (iSMSS) are collaborating in an exciting way to bring Camp Fyrefly to Calgary! 

Camp fYrefly is Canada's only national leadership retreat for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, intersexed, queer, questioning, and allied youth.

This year Camp Fyrefly is coming to Calgary on July 11-14! 

If you or someone you know is interested in being involved in the camp  please contact Nick Moore by email with your email/contact info so he can add you to the mailing list as we get this work and planning underway!

Some of the areas you can get involved include:

• donations
• camp counselor volunteers 
• organizing committee volunteers  (Fund Development; Programming & Education; Advertising, Publicity & Community Outreach; and Parent, Volunteer & Youth Outreach.)

For more details, check out the links below.

http://www.fyrefly.ualberta.ca/Calgary/index.htm 

http://www.ismss.ualberta.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/CampfYreflyAlberta

For more info and to volunteer, please contact Nick Moore at:

nmoore@calgarysexualhealth.ca

403-283-5580 ext. 308

Questions asked during Sex Ed Class - Part 1: STIs

If a person with herpes gives someone oral sex, can the person get herpes on their genitals?

The virus that causes oral herpes is herpes simplex 1. Herpes simplex 2 causes genital herpes.

It is possible for someone with oral herpes (Simplex1) to pass that strain on to the genitals of another person during oral sex. This means that if that person contracts the virus it is a herpes simplex 1 infection on his or her genitals. This type of transmission is rare, but is possible. Usually the outbreaks of sores are milder then with herpes simplex 2 as the virus is not in its own domain.
 


Why does it burn sometimes when you urinate?

There can be many reasons for this, some serious and some not so serious; however it is recommended to see a doctor immediately if burning persists.

One cause of burning when you pee could be urinary tract or bladder infections (UTI). UTI’s are caused when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra and are usually treated with antibiotics.

Another possibility is a yeast infection, which is usually transmitted by unprotected sexual intercourse with a partner who has a yeast infection, although antibiotics and lubricants with potentially irritating chemicals in them, like the spermicide nonoxynol 9, can also potentially cause them.

Finally, a person may feel burning during urination if they have had unprotected sex with a person who has a sexually transmitted infection, or STI. If a guy thinks he may have an STI, he can look for a discharge from the head of the penis.

An important thing to remember is that the most common symptom of an STI is still no symptom at all, and there are many reasons a person can feel a burning sensation when they urinate. Being on the safe side and going for a doctor’s visit is usually best.



Can you get any STI’s on your hand?

Scabies, which is not solely an STI can infect the skin anywhere on the body including the hand and is spread through any skin-to-skin contact.

There are over 100 types of HPV that can affect a person’s skin. While only certain strains, the sexually transmitted ones, cause genital warts, others cause warts on the hands and feet. These warts can rarely cross over but it is unlikely as the type of wart is not suited for growth in that area.

 

Can you have more than 1 STI at the same time?

Yes it is possible to contract any STI you come into contact with even if you have one already. You may also contract many at one time. People with compromised immune systems like those with HIV can contract infections easier including sexually transmitted ones.



Are there any ways to see if you or your partner has an STI without going to the doctor?

No. Unfortunately not. A commonality amongst all STI’s is that they can be asymptomatic (no obvious symptoms).  Check our website for where you can go for STI testing.

How to Talk with your Child about Sexuality

We live in a very sexual world.  There are messages about sex all around us - on the Internet, TV, radio.  People talk about it in locker rooms, at the mall, and in our own homes. And our kids hear it all.

But our kids don't get that much useful information from all this talk. 

We want our kids to have healthy and rewarding lives.  Teaching them about sex is an important aspect of helping them live a healthy life.  But for many of us its hard to talk about sex - especially with our own children. 

At the CHSC, we have many resources and workshops that can help you feel more comfortable with talking to your kids about sex.  And in the meantime, here are a few tips:

1. Start early.  Its best to begin as soon as they're born.  Start with basic knowledge such as learning the proper names of their body parts. Knowing their body and being comfortable talking about their body is an important first step.

2. All babies anc children explore their bodies. This is a natural and normal part of development. If we yell at them or slap their hands, they'll do it anyway - but they'll feel guilty about it. And they may learn to not trust us later in life when they're looking for guidance about other things.

3. When your 3-year-old asks "Where do babies come from?", you can keep your answers simple for now.  You could say something like "Babies grow in a special place inside the mother."  As the years, pass, you can add other details.

4. Kids aged 5 - 7 may be shy about asking questions, but they likely still have them! Find opportunities to ask them questions - maybe its asking them what they think about something you see on TV, or talking about a family friend who is pregnant. Have books on hand that you can read together to help you talk about sex.

5. Most preteens aged 8 - 12 are ready to know about sex and reproduction. They need to know about the signs of puberty and the changes that will happen to their bodies as they grow up. And they need to know how to keep themselves healthy and safe.  Keep the conversations going - find moments to spend time alone with them and talk.  Get books and pamphlets that you can read together, or that they can read on their own and then talk with you after.

6. Teens aged 13 - 18 need to learn how to say "no" and to understand what "safer sex" is. They need to know how to have relationships with other people without getting hurt, or without hurting other people.  You could ask questions such as "Are you being pressured to have sex?", "Do you know how to protect yourself from pregnancy and infections?", "How will you tell them what your limits are?".

For more help with talking to your kids about sex, give us a call at 403-283-5580 or visit us online at http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca/what_do_i_say.html.

And for a light-hearted look at having "The Talk", check out this hilarious video of Julia Sweeney describing one such experience with her 8 year old daughter.

School's back! And so are we!

With summer holidays behind us and a new school year underway, we are looking forward to another great year of providing our comprehensive sexual health education program to classrooms across Calgary!

Our school-based sex ed program works within the Alberta Education curriculum, and has been a recommended resource of the Calgary Board of Education since 1975.

We offer education programs to inform, motivate and help youth make health choices about their sexuality.  Last year, we offered programs at 23 junior and senior high schools, reaching 24,415 students in Calgary and the surrounding areas.

We've seen some great results through surveys in the classrooms:

• 75% identified they now have knowledge of sexual health issues such as pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted infections, and condom use.
• 63% identified they now have an understanding of diverse sexual orientations and the impact of homophobia.
• 81% identified they now have confidence in making sexual health decision.

These results are encouraging. But perhaps even more inspiring for us is when we receive comments like this:

"The program motivated one student to have a very serious sit down conversation with her mother about her choices, and that she wanted her mother to go to the Dr with her.  They really had not spoken in years.  This is what education should be."
- CALM Teacher

Here's to another great year ahead of informing our city's youth about healthy choices, and providing them with the tools to achieve sexual well-being.

If you are a teacher and would like more information about our school-based programs, please contact us at 403-283-5580 or generalmail@calgarysexualhealth.ca.

The "First Time"...Part 2

Our next episode of the “How To Be A Sexpert” podcast is PART 2 of our discussion about “First Times”.

When it comes to sex, the pressure of the first time can cause all kinds of anxiety.   To reduce the stress, it is really important that you feel ready for the experience.  So, before you get into the heat of the moment, decide if you are ready to become sexually active.

In this episode of our "How To Be A Sexpert" podcast, our SexPerts talk about their decisions and thoughts about "First Times".

Youth & Sex: Answers to some Frequently Asked Questions!

In honour of International Youth Week, we are sharing some answers to a few of the common questions we receive from youth about sex and sexuality   For more information about these topics, and many more, visit us online at www.calgarysexualhealth.ca or give us a call at 403-283-5580.

If I talk to my teacher or school counsellor about sexual issues, do they have to tell my parents?

It depends. Information you share is usually kept private unless there is a risk of harm to you or another person. For example, if a young person told a teacher or school counsellor that he or she was being sexually abused, the counsellor may have a responsibility to report it. If you are unsure and concerned, before you share details you can ask if the type of information on your mind can or will be kept private.

Can I see a doctor without my parents’ permission to get birth control?

Yes. If you are worried, ask your doctor how they feel about keeping your information private from your parents. If you don't like what you hear, you can go to one of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinics in Calgary. These clinics have services just for young people, and will respect your privacy. They also have birth control and condoms at lower cost. You can also talk to a counsellor at the Calgary Sexual Health Centre about your options. But we are not a clinic and cannot give you a prescription for birth control.

Can a person masturbate 10 times a day?

Everyone is different. Some people masturbate every day and other people don’t. If you want to masturbate ten times a day and it isn’t getting in the way of school, homework or other responsibilities, then it is up to you. If you masturbate a lot, you may want to use a water-based lubricant like K-Y Jelly (you can buy lubricants from any drugstore) so that you don’t irritate your skin.

What does Popping the Cherry mean?

Popping the cherry is a slang term for when a woman has vaginal sex for the first time and her hymen stretches and bleeds. A hymen is usually a very thin layer of skin. It is naturally stretched with physical activity, sexual activity or using tampons. Some may bleed a little and some may not.

A hymen that has not been stretched is often considered a sign that a woman has “lost her virginity”. Most women actually don’t have am “intact” hymen by the time they start having sex. To have a good first experience with sex it helps if both people feel relaxed and aroused and are paying attention to what feels comfortable physically and emotionally. The key here is to talk to each other and go slow.

What makes people gay?

Scientists still aren’t sure whether people are born with their sexual orientation or whether it develops over time. What they do know for sure is it’s not something people can change about themselves. A person might want to use the label “gay” if they find their sexual attraction is mostly toward people of the same sex as themselves. It is normal to have some sexual feelings or a lot of sexual feelings for people the same sex as yourself. Attraction is as simple and uncontrollable as who makes your heart flutter. Curiosity and attraction toward people the same sex as yourself is totally okay and it’s up to each person what label, if any, they want to put on it.

The "First Time"

Our latest episode of the “How To Be A Sexpert” podcast talks about “First Times”.

When it comes to sex, the pressure of the first time can cause all kinds of anxiety.   To reduce the stress, it is really important that you feel ready for the experience.  So, before you get into the

heat of the moment, decide if you are ready to become sexually active. 

You might ask yourself, how do I know when I am ready for sex? How do I know what sexual activities I am comfortable with? How will I know what my boundaries are?

The answer to these questions is different for every person.

There is no magical age when a person is ready to have sex and it is a question that may come up repeatedly over the course of someone’s lifetime. Deciding what you feel comfortable doing or “how far” you want to go is a personal choice that you have to make each and every time you become physically or emotionally involved with another person. Having a physical desire to enjoy sexual pleasure is not the same thing as being emotionally prepared for sex with another person.

There is also no rule about how long people should date before getting sexually involved.  As a rule, if you are having doubts, then you are probably not ready for sex with another person at that time.   Only you can decide when you feel ready for sex and what you are comfortable doing. You might be comfortable with certain sexual practices and activities and not with others.

Determine your sexual boundaries before you get involved with a partner and you will be more prepared to have this discussion when you need to. Things may change as your relationship progresses, but thinking about your limits will help to make sure that you don’t give in to peer pressure and end up doing things outside of your comfort zone.

Sex will not always be that “wow” we have always dreamed of, but if you know you are ready to take that step, you feel connected to your partner, and your body is ready, it is much more likely you will have a great experience.

A great resource is a book by Kim Martyn, All the Way: Sex for the First Time.  You can find this, and lots of other great resources at:

http://www.calgarysexualhealth.ca/PrintablePDFfiles/Sexual_Health_Resource_Centre_Catalogue_Feb_2011.pdf

Stay tuned … more about the First Time in the next episode of our podcast!