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It feels a fitting start to open this by telling you that in the most 2020 way possible, we – including me, the founder of this place, who first launched it frozen in my basement apartment with the entirely unuseful radiator in the ceiling – forgot our 22nd anniversary earlier this month. I…

Em, I wish I could reach through the screen and give you a hug. You, and the two classmates of your sister’s who have been targeted by their peers and failed by the adults who should have protected them. I am so very angry on their behalf, and on yours. This situation sucks in no small part because…

What does STI testing involve? How do you do it? Where? When? What do you do with your results? We answer all these questions and more to help demystify testing so you can take care of you and yours with less stress and more confidence.

What’s harm reduction? What are some basic harm reduction principles? What are some basics ways to minimize or reduce harm with sex, recreational drug use and the pandemic? Here’s a place to get started.

You’ve asked a lot of big questions here, which means I have some big answers for you. This is going to take a minute, so you may want to find somewhere comfy to settle in while you read. Before we get into anything else, I want to say that if you’re regularly self-harming, or fear that you might…

Good news! You’re not the only person who’s experienced this - pubic hairs are definitely more stubborn than other hairs on our bodies! The hair that grows in the pubic area is thicker than other types of body hair or head hair, not to mention, the skin around the vulva and the scrotum are really…

I want to start by answering your question about whether it’s normal or common for bisexual people to doubt their orientation, because it’s something I’ve seen often, both in my experience as a volunteer here at Scarleteen and as a person with a lot of bisexual friends and acquaintances. I’m not…

Ann talks about growing up in Poland and what that meant for her ideas about and experiences with sex and possible pregnancy, and participating in the powerful abortion bans that have taken place there over the last few years.

Hi there! It sounds like you’re describing a build-up of smegma* - that’s dead skin cells mixed with oils and fluids produced by your genitals. The good news is that this is totally normal! Vulvas and penises alike can produce it. Regular, gentle washing should be enough to manage it. The clitoral…

Sex educator and therapist Dr. Lexx Brown-James talks talks about her line of work, how Covid-19 is rampaging peoples’ emotions, and how the work of POC sex educators continues to be devalued, stolen and co-opted.

Hi Parvati, It’s great to hear that you’re trying to be a good ally, and doing some of the self-examination and learning that comes with that! Since you helpfully broke your question down into three parts, I’ll go through them one by one. 1. Is gender really only a social construct? The short answer…

Hi Susan, It sounds like you have two separate things going on here. We can break it down into smaller pieces and talk about them individually. 1. Your friend likes you, but you don’t like him like that. The most immediate thing is that your best friend has expressed a romantic interest in you…

It really sucks that during something that can make us feel lonelier than ever, the most dangerous thing is being close to other people. It is still safest to limit our up-close-and-personal contact, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still safely seek out and experience intimacy with new people, nor that there aren’t things you can do to make it safer if you do decide to get physically close to someone. Here are some basics to get you started.

Machismo is an expression of exacerbated masculinity that has caused lingering pain and trauma to generations of Latinx people. Many young people are still struggling with it today.

Are people experiencing the “quarantine hornies,” or is sex entirely off the menu? The answer is yes; both; all the above. Here’s some help for dealing with changes in libido and sexuality, how you express them, and sexual safety for right now.

You can read a book. You can read a map. But reading people, that’s difficult in any situation. Reading people to figure out if they’re actually into you romantically or sexually is even more difficult. Lisa Laman is here to give fellow autistic readers a little help.

Hi there, Lilly. I think I can help you with this. First, I want to assuage some of your fears. Just because your young siblings are having a hard time understanding this doesn’t mean the whole of the LGBTQ+ community does or will. For sure, biphobia is, unfortunately, still alive and well in plenty…

Hey there, lost. I’m so sorry that you had to experience that abuse, but I’m very glad you survived it, and have started to be able to look towards healthy, wanted intimacy in your future. Let’s see if I can help get you started. First, I want to alleviate a fear that could get in your way. You don…

I wish I could find out who is spreading the idea that thinking about sex often, masturbating fruequently, or using sexual media indicates someone is on a path towards “sex addiction.” You’re far from the first person to ask about it in our direct services. I’d like to have some harsh words with…

If you are a teen or young adult who lives at home during COVID-19, and are dating or sexually active with a partner, navigating this part of your life – with your partner, with parents or guardians – is complicated. A lot of households and families are having to negotiate what the new dating normal looks like. Here are some ideas to help make those discussions smoother.

An organization that uses technology to facilitate the safe navigation of people fleeing persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. This includes a database to help people locate local, safe, and vetted resources.

Sorry-not-sorry, but this sucks! I know it and you know it; maybe it’d be best if we let it show.

For as long as I can remember, I have worked on cultivating strong and meaningful friendships. It’s through these friendships that I have discovered what I hope to get out of romantic relationships. My friendships teach me the importance of trust, communication, and commitment.

A resource dedicated to connecting rural LGBTQ people to build community, visibility, knowledge, and power. They offer a mutal aid network and funds for those living in the Northeastern United States, remote support groups (including yoga and crafting), and a phone tree.