Sexualities & Sexual Health Education

How do I know if I’m queer? How can I find safe sex resources? What kind of restrictions does Texas (or other states in the South) have regarding my body or rights?

This resource page—created for our community—aims to answer questions similar to those above. And of course our conversation around sexuality in SAYHU is ongoing; if you have books, movies, or other media that you’ve enjoyed (that contain positive portrayals of the South Asian community), please share those with us!

Sexuality

For the South Asian community, sex-positive spaces can be few and far between. Though you may want conversations with friends, family, or counselors, stigma can be a barrier to a truly transparent discussion. SAYHU community members have expressed that it is difficult to have open conversations about sexuality and gender identity. To combat the negative effects of the silence, in both conversation and discourse, we aim to help the South Asian youth community in Texas by providing relevant resources, as well as affirmation that this conversation happens!  Safer practices are important, as well as trust, so please continue to read this page full of links and projects we think you should explore.

Some quick definitions of terms (sourced from the South Asian Sexual & Mental Health Alliance)

• Sexual Orientation is defined as a person's romantic, sexual, and/or emotional attraction to other people. Sexual orientation is an inherent, immutable, and enduring identity. As with any other identity vector, there are innumerable ways that a person may choose to identify their sexual orientation, including none at all.

• Gender Identity is an internal experience of how a person perceives their gender and chooses to describe their felt sense of self. Given that gender is an entirely social construct, it varies widely across cultures and eras based on social and cultural differences in much the same way that any other identity, culture, or custom may.

• Gender Expression refers to the external appearance of one's gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, haircut, voice, accessories, jewelry, and other methods of signifying or performing gender. Gender expression may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being  masculine, feminine, and/or androgynous.

SEX Education in Texas

The state of Texas, like all other states, has specific guidelines when it comes to sexual education in schools that affects what many in public schools across the state learn. For example, though they are mandated, sex or HIV education, when provided, is not required to be medically accurate or culturally appropriate and unbiased. Also, educators are meant to “stress” abstinence when providing sex/HIV education. These approaches to education are not only inaccurate, but because the inconsistency between teachers and schools is unpredictable, big questions about sex can easily be disregarded.

Diverse sexualities are often stigmatized, and queer individuals might find themselves in situations in which they do not have a strong support system. In these cases, prejudice and discrimination can cause significant stress, affecting mental health.

In the SAYHU community, creating space for the safe expression of sexual and gender identity is important. SAYHU Intern Saaj Patel worked with various community members to create the 2021 Community Survey that asked important questions about demographics and identity in SAYHU (read about it in our blog post). We learned that 48% of survey respondents identified as LGBT, 60% identify as women, and 64% use she/her pronouns. We also formulated our survey with questions about pronouns from the beginning since we always begin meetings and introductions with pronouns as part of who we are.

Identity & Sexual Orientation

It can be difficult for community members to reach out in times of questioning—sexuality or otherwise. This, and other questions about identity or gender, can occur at any age and throughout one’s lifetime. For those who are questioning and are in search of resources that provide answers for young people questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity, we have provided links in the right-hand column.

Mental Health

Mental health is also important to consider when dealing with issues of identity. Because the expectation is to be like everyone else, and follow the “norm,” it can be difficult to express how you feel or share who you are with others, even those you are close with.

(Read more about it on SAYHU’s resource page on South Asians & Mental Health.

Sexual Health & Education

Similar to conversations about sexual or gender identity, sexual health (and education about it) can be a topic that often goes undiscussed. It is a broad topic, which includes reproductive health, contraception, relationships and interpersonal violence prevention, body image, and much more. But there are places where you can learn more to educate yourself and others.

More resources on SAYHU’s page of Health & Wellbeing Services.

Learn more about Asian communities and sexuality…

Daya empowers South Asian survivors of domestic and sexual violence through culturally specific services and educates the community to end the cycle of abuse. SAYHU has collaborated with Daya from day one.

Advocates for Youth partners with youth leaders, adult allies, and youth-serving organizations to advocate for policies and champion programs that recognize young people’s rights to honest sexual health information; accessible, confidential, and affordable sexual health services; and the resources and opportunities necessary to create sexual health equity for all youth.

The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25. [Research Brief: Asian/Pacific Islander LGBTQ Youth Mental Health – The Trevor Project]

The Audre Lorde Project is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirit, Trans and Gender Non-Conforming People of Color community organizing center, focusing on the New York City area.

South Asian Sexual & Mental Health Alliance (SASMHA)'s goal is to fight cultural stigmas, educate, and empower the South Asian American community by providing resources on the issues most important to us, from sex and sexuality to mental health. 

Desi Rainbow Parents and Allies (DRPA)'s offers affirming, supportive, and affirming virtual spaces for South Asians. The culturally sensitive support groups meet separately for LGBTQ+ individuals and for families that are navigating the journey. Further, the DRPA community celebrates faith-based holidays, “Proud Possibilities,” and South Asian stories read by Desi Drag artists.

Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SLRP) works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination or violence.

Equality Tracker, a tool from the Equality Federation, shows state legislation that affects LGBTQ+ Americans nationwide and statewide. You can filter by issues such as anti/pro-transgender, HIV, education, and conversion therapy.

Learning for Justice seeks to uphold the mission of the Southern Poverty Law Center: to be a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people.

This page was developed in Fall 2021 by Saaj, Nishant, Uliya with support from the SAYHU community and in collaboration with Advocates for Youth.