We all know that being in college comes with its fair share of challenges, both emotionally and physically. And one area that often gets overlooked is sexual and reproductive health.

It’s unfortunate, but the truth is that many K-12 schools don’t provide comprehensive sexual health education. And when they do, it’s usually focused on abstinence and doesn’t provide evidence-based knowledge and skills on safer sex strategies. This lack of proper education has consequences, leading to higher rates of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Even in New York State, where HIV education is required from grades K-12, there’s still no broader requirement for sexual health education. And to make matters worse, there are no requirements to provide medically accurate information in many states. This leaves students without the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health. But it doesn’t stop there. LGBTQ+ topics are often entirely excluded from sexual health education curricula. This exclusion is unfair and denies LGBTQ+ students the support and information they deserve.

The impact of all this goes beyond just physical health. Unwanted pregnancies and STIs can have significant effects on students’ mental well-being, academic performance, and ability to complete their degrees. That’s why it’s crucial for colleges and universities to step up and address these issues as part of a comprehensive health promotion plan.

We deserve better. We deserve access to comprehensive sexual health education that includes evidence-based knowledge and skills for safer sex strategies. We deserve accurate and inclusive information that supports all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and ethnicity. And we have the right to make informed choices about our bodies.

That’s what Geneseo SEX[Ed] is all about.