Sex and relationships education, sexual health, and lesbian, gay and bisexual sexual cultures: Views from young people

This article draws on three small-scale studies with young people in two cities in the UK, which sought to gather views on sex and relationships education (SRE) and sexual health, and included those who self-identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB). Participants were involved in detailed self-completion surveys and/or in-depth interviews/focus groups. Each project elicited data about respondents’ views on SRE (at school) and how this included/excluded LGB young people. The article also looks at influences on sexual activity, conceptualisations/understandings of sexual health and ‘safe sex’, and expectations in relation to safer sex. This aids understanding about the existence of dominant ‘sexual cultures’ and their influence on young people’s attitudes towards sexual health, including views on/experiences of ‘risk behaviours’, and (unequal) access to services. The article concludes with recommendations for good practice, and future research, highlighting the importance of an equalities and human rights foundation for learning about sex and relationships, for both young and old, and people of all sexual identities/experience.