Last month the Trump administration ordered California to remove references to gender identity from its sex education curricula. Controlling access to inclusive education and policing gender and sexual expression are common moves of authoritarian governments around the world, and studies show a positive relationship between sex education and democracy. On today’s show, guest host Matvei Mozhaev speaks with Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan of Oh Joy Sex Toy about the importance of building a culture of communication, consent, and care through sex education.

Oh Joy Sex Toy is an online publisher and one of the largest and most diverse libraries for sex education in the world. They cover sex toy reviews, sex practices, birth control, STIs and much more. Moen and Nolan wanted to create content that discussed (and depicted) sexuality in a friendly and nonthreatening way. Over the years, they started inviting other comic artists of different sexualities, ethnicities, and life experiences to participate. 

They discuss the importance of comics in sex education, calling it a great medium for stories about human experience. Moen says that it’s getting harder to talk about sex and sex education given the growing attacks on gender identity and sexuality. A few years ago, Moen and Nolan published their first book, Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human (A Graphic Novel).

Featured image: of the cover of Moen and Nolan’s book, Let’s Talk About It. 

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