Comprehensive and Inclusive Sex Education: Supporting Queer Folx with Disabilities (2 CE hours)

Description:

This course offers an in-depth examination of the complex intersections of queerness, disability, and sexuality within the framework of comprehensive and inclusive sex education. Designed for mental health professionals pursuing certification in sex therapy, the course foregrounds culturally responsive, anti-ableist, and affirming pedagogical and clinical practices (McRuer, 2006; Shildrick, 2009). Drawing upon critical disability studies, queer theory, and intersectional frameworks, participants will analyze systemic inequities that shape access to sexual health, intimacy, and pleasure for queer individuals with disabilities (Shakespeare, 2000; Kafer, 2013). Through case studies, experiential activities, and applied strategies, clinicians will deepen their capacity to challenge normative assumptions and dismantle ableist and heteronormative structures embedded in sexual health discourse and practice (Gill, 2015; Grant, 2020). This course centers lived experience and affirms that sexuality is not only a fundamental human right, but also a critical dimension of psychological and relational well-being (WHO, 2006; Shakespeare, 2000).

Learning Objectives:

• Identify how ableism, heteronormativity, and cisnormativity intersect to marginalize queer people with disabilities in sexual health education and therapeutic contexts.
• Describe the key components of comprehensive, pleasure-based, and inclusive sex education that affirm the diverse experiences of disabled queer individuals.
• Evaluate common myths, biases, and clinical assumptions about the sexual and romantic lives of disabled queer people, and their impact on care.
• Incorporate inclusive language, tools, and resources into sex therapy practices that support clients’ sexual self-determination, consent, communication, and access to pleasure.

Schedule:

Welcome + Community Agreements

Mini-Lecture: Intersectionality & Sexual Citizenship

Myths, Misconceptions, & Harm

Case Study 1: Bias Check in Practice

Mini-Lecture: Inclusive & Adaptive Sex Education Tools

Reflection + Discussion

Wrap-Up + Resources

Speaker Bio:

Jerry St. Louis is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, certified Sex Therapist and Educator, and the visionary force behind Of Colors Healing Therapy Services and The Pleasure Spectrum—an unapologetically inclusive adult‑toy brand built on the rallying cry “Pleasure for EVERY body.”

Over the past decade, Jerry has carved out a singular space at the intersection of sexual wellness, mental health, and social justice. As a radical sex educator and Sober Sex Therapist, he confronts the taboos that too often silence conversations about addiction, race, disability, and intimacy. His clinical practice centers Black LGBTQ+ communities; his workshops and keynotes—ranging from university classrooms to national conferences—equip professionals and everyday people alike with compassionate, evidence‑based tools for healing and pleasure.

Jerry’s impact reaches far beyond the therapy room. He served as a subject‑matter expert for The Sexual Health School’s groundbreaking series on crystal‑meth addiction among Black queer men, spearheading dialogue on harm reduction and culturally responsive care. Through The Pleasure Spectrum, he disrupts an industry that has historically excluded disabled and marginalized bodies, ensuring that toys, packaging, and marketing honor the full spectrum of human desire.

A sought‑after media voice, Jerry has been featured in podcasts, panels, and print outlets for his fearless advocacy. Whether he’s debunking myths about sober sex, training clinicians on kink‑affirming practice, or championing policies that expand access to affirming care, his message is unwavering: healing and pleasure are fundamental human rights.