Ask Dr. Laura: Introducing Our New Queer-Inclusive Sex Column
Dear OutSmart Readers,
Greetings! My name is Dr. Laura McGuire. I am a sexologist who recently relocated to this amazing city, and it is my great honor and privilege to offer my advice and insight into your sexual-health questions and inquiries in an upcoming Q&A column. Houston is an amazing place to create change, as it has both elements of need and opportunity for collaborative evolution as a community.
Sexuality is an intrinsic part of the human experience. Whether you are asexual or hyper sexual, gay, lesbian, or other, cis or transgender, monogamous or polyamorous, we are all sexual beings experiencing the world through our unique sexual histories and perspectives. Just as we are all sexual, we all have a human right to comprehensive, culturally competent, sexuality education across our life span. Did you know that both the United Nations and World Health Organization have actually stated that you have a right to sex education? Amazing, right?
The problem is that many so-called “sex experts” and articles on the Internet (where we all seek out our answers to life’s great questions) are not written by people with any kind of training or academic credentials. Some of it may be factual and accurate, but a lot of it isn’t, and some is straight-up harmful. It’s basically the same thing as someone reading books and going to a few conferences on heart surgery and then advertising themselves as a heart surgeon. Not a good idea! I completed my doctoral dissertation on sexuality education, am certified as a doula, and am certified as a sexuality educator through the American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists. I have spent many years studying and perfecting my craft so that I can continue to offer the highest quality of real, honest, sexuality education possible.
And now comes your part—I need your questions. Teachers always say to ask questions, because someone else probably has the same one. This is very true of sex education. Ask me anything—I promise you can’t shock me. Ask me about consent, anatomy, identity, trauma, relationships, self-image, pleasure, virginity, ask me anything. From there we will pick two questions each month and answer them in a fun and informative way that will help to sexually empower you and your community. Email your questions to [email protected].
Warmly,
Dr. Laura McGuire
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