Our Sex Ed Book, Published! Fundamental Concepts and Critical Developments in Sex Education: Intersectional and Trauma-Informed Approaches – By Cat Dukes

About three years ago I was approached by my friend Dr. Reece Malone, DHS https://reecemalone.com/  with an idea around developing a critical sex education book to fill a void in the literature in the field and bring together sex education experts from across the country and the world who could provide critical knowledge, insight and skill for our next generation of sex educators.  Our field desperately needed a resource where we could find voices sharing new developments and critical information about intersectional approaches to sex education and trauma-informed ways of teaching about sexuality.

Reece recruited not only enthusiastic me but also the incredible Dr. Tracie Gilbert https://www.drtracieg.com/ and the amazing Justine Ang Fonte  https://www.justinefonte.com/.  Together, the four of us Editors set about recruiting 30+ sex educator expert voices far and wide to create our now published by Routledge work, Fundamental Concepts and Critical Developments in Sex Education: Intersectional and Trauma Informed Approaches Routledge Link to the Book.  

As editors, we organized the book to guide educators through key considerations: starting with values and attitudes as sexuality educators, identifying critical lenses for delivering sex education, offering essential knowledge, research, and continuous learning, and building critical skills for increasing inclusivity and impact. 

Check out the spectacular authors and topics in the book, consider watching our book launch party video linked below, or purchasing the book especially if you are interested in sex education or health education.

Part 1: Informing our values and attitudes as sexuality educators

1. “The Great Pushback: Why Social Justice is CompSexEd”
Mariotta Gary-Smith

2. “From Values-Based to Values-Neutral: The Pedagogical Power of Transparency”
Anne Hodder-Shipp

3. “Centering Safety & Resilience through Trauma-Informed Approaches”
Kirsten DeFur

Part 2: Critical Perspectives for Inclusive Sex Education 

4. “Embracing Professional Humility: Cultivating Dispositions and Reflective Practice in Sexuality Education”
Tanya Bass

5. “Navigating the Emotional Landscape: Cultivating Emotional Literacy in Sex Education”
Rachael Gibson

Part 3: Key Information, Research and Continuous Learning

6. “Deconstructing Desirability: Sexual Racism in Focus”
Aydrelle Collins

7. “Contemporary and Nuanced Approaches to Teaching Consent”
Sonja Vitow

8. “Re-teaching Contraception”
LaShay Harvey

9. “Sexual Health is Mental Health: Shifting from a Sex Avoidant Society into a Stigma-Free One”
Courtney Brame

10. “Childhood and Adolescent Sexualities”
Dr. Alecia Rodriguez

11. “[Inter] Sex Ed”
Delia Sosa

12. “Blurring the Boundaries of Orientation”
Aubri Lancaster

13. “Decolonizing the History of the Gender Binary: Understanding What the Gender Binary Is, Where it Came From, How it Affects Us Today, and How it Destroyed My Chance of Being a Princess”
Arc Telos Saint Amour

14. “Redefining Intimacy: Expanding Relationship Design Beyond Compulsory Heteronormativity and Monogamy”
Sam Casanova

15. “Breaking Barriers: Sex Education Promoting Quality of Life for People with Physical Disability”
Kim Andreassen, Alysha Oorjitham, and Hannah Smith

16. Sex Education for Neurodivergent Learners: Addressing Gaps, Misconceptions, and Needs
Dylan Kapit

17. “Sex Education for People with IDD: Concrete Strategies for Increasing Accessibility”
Isabella Weber, Quinn Vermillion, and Sarah Dahlston

18. “Integrating Porn Literacy into Sex Education”
N. Jasmine Johnson

19. “Hoes Need Help, Too: Navigating Stigma & Violence as Societal Barriers to Sex Workers”
Danielle Simpson-Baker

20. “Destigmatizing BDSM Through Education: Challenges, Mindset, and Strategies”
Midori

Part 4: Skills & Considerations for Increasing Impact and Inclusivity

21. “Making Mistakes and Practicing Accountability”
Jennifer A. Hart and Hilary F. Towle (Introduction by Dr. Bianca Laureano)

22. “Liberation-Centered Learning Spaces: Valuing Joy, Relationships, and Power-Shifting”
Yael R. Rosenstock Gonzalez

23. “From Concept to Community: Ethical Practices in Event Organization”
Steph Zapata

24. “Maximizing Sexual Health Education for Youth”
Sam Carwyn

25. “Faith, Fear, and Freedom: Redefining Sexuality in Religious Spaces”
Kara Haug

Part 5: Navigating the Business and Limitations of Sex Education  

26. “Be Sexcessful! Navigating Sex Education Entrepreneurship”
Marla Renee Stewart

27. “Sex Ed and Social Media”
Mariah Caudillo

28. “Sex Ed and Working With The Media”
Dirty Lola

As part of our celebration of the incredible work of our authors, in July we hosted our official Book Launch Party through zoom.  You can watch it here on youtube: 

Check out the YouTube Video of our Book Launch Party Here:

It is such a joy and honor to work in the field of sex education and sex therapy.  To be able to hold space for people sharing their vulnerabilities and challenges and to be able to teach about sex and sexuality is incredibly humbling and I am grateful each and every day for this opportunity.  

We are so glad that you found us and that you are here! Thanks for reading!

In deep gratitude

Dr. Catherine Dukes, LCSW
Practice Owner
Sex Therapist | Couples Therapist | Psychotherapist | Educator