HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Jan. 8, 2019 – Having “The Talk” can feel terrifying, but it doesn’t have to be – and educational organization Everyone Deserves Sex Ed (EDSE) is here to help. Founded by certified sex and relationships educator Anne Hodder-Shipp, ACS, EDSE wants parents, caregivers, and guardians to feel as prepared as possible to answer the kinds of questions kids are going to ask – if they haven’t already.

“Only 24 states and the District of Columbia mandate sex education in schools, and only 13 of those 24 require that the curricula be medically accurate,” Hodder-Shipp said. “That means a majority of kids have been left to their own devices to navigate the complicated and confusing corners of their sexuality — with lots of trial and, sadly, lots of error. My goal with EDSE is to make the process feel more supported and whole lot less scary.”

EDSE offers parents, caregivers, and guardians private coaching to prepare them for having conversations they might feel uncomfortable or ill-equipped to have, including discussing sexual orientation, gender identity, and anatomy, and how to think critically about social media and pornography.

“At EDSE, we believe that confidence in and understanding of human sexuality is the foundation for having these kinds of conversations with young people,” Hodder-Shipp said. “They are eager for this information, even if they might not admit it, and they need to see the adults around them feeling comfortable discussing it. EDSE works with parents, caregivers, and guardians in need of one-on-one support to help build a stronger, more confident understanding of sexuality so they can be there for the kids and teens in their lives.”

EDSE programs also are available in a group setting, allowing parents and community members to gather for a ‘parent night’ that helps navigate “The Talk” in a way that makes it accessible, digestible, and fun.

“I like to describe this work as being a sex-ed doula of sorts, giving families and kids access to a ‘cool aunt’ who’s professionally trained in talking about sexuality with a friendly attitude and great sense of humor,” Hodder-Shipp said. “I believe that access to accurate sex ed and sexual health information fuels empowerment and healthy decision-making, and if we don’t offer it to our kids and teens, they’re going to search for it themselves.”

EDSE works with all age groups, from preschool to high school, and programming is age-appropriate with content adjusted according to the age group educators are working with. Some of the key subjects EDSE discusses:

“EDSE wants to give kids and young adults the support and information they need and deserve – something many of us lacked when we were growing up,” Hodder-Shipp said. “EDSE can host a private gathering in the comfort of your own home or work one-on-one with you and your child for a personalized approach. Let us customize a package that best suits your needs — and your budget.”

Though EDSE is headquartered in the heart of Los Angeles, Anne and her team are available via video chat platforms and can travel if needed. EDSE also can connect potential clients with trained sex educators and practitioners across the country – if you’re in need of in-person support or services outside of the Los Angeles area, Anne and EDSE will help find you someone who’ll be the right fit for your needs.

To learn more about EDSE, please visit https://everyonedeservessexed.com or email Hodder-Shipp directly at anne@everyonedeservessexed.com.

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Everyone Deserves Sex Ed (EDSE) is an educational services organization that believes access to accurate, unbiased, and LGBTQIA+ sex education is a human right. Our goal is to make this important information available and accessible to as many communities as possible, from professionals seeking continued education to parents eager to build the skills and confidence to talk to their kids about sex.

EDSE was founded by certified sex educator Anne Hodder-Shipp, ACS, with the goal of creating an accessible space dedicated to providing accurate, compassionate, and queer-inclusive sex education. Whether you’re a sex educator to-be, a parent preparing for “the talk,” or a professional looking for continued education, Anne’s mission with EDSE is to provide a safe, supported and friendly space in which clients can learn, grow, and get closer to their personal and professional goals.

Though EDSE is headquartered in the heart of Los Angeles, Anne and her team are committed to connecting potential clients with trained sex educators and practitioners across the country. If you’re in need of support or services outside of the Los Angeles area, Anne and EDSE will help find you someone who’ll be the right fit for your needs. Contact us today at https://everyonedeservessexed.com/contact/.