{c}literacy is an organization based in the U.S., whose main goal is to empower young women and allies by providing a more comprehensive, and less shameful sex education. Through education, advocacy, and community, we are transforming the way we think, talk and learn about sex, and the many topics surrounding it. No topic is too taboo, sexuality is human, and we’re here to start a revolution.
Artist/Thesis Statement
To put it lightly, my sex education growing up SUCKED. Now let’s pair that with a cripplingly low self-esteem, sprinkle in a bunch of hormonal teenage boys with borderline porn addictions—and boom, I somehow became known as a slut. Even better yet, the girl who “got with anyone with a pulse” (I still have that tweet saved from six years ago, thanks Adam!). I got harassed by my peers, strangers, and even an 8th grade teacher. Yet it was no one’s business whether I had “lost” my virginity*, or anything else that I did or didn’t do. I didn't realize at the time the long lasting effects this slut-shaming would have on me even today, and probably will for the rest of my life. I still struggle, but I certainly know a whole lot more now. I am grateful that I have been able to rise from that trauma and teach myself exactly how to become the empowered young woman I am today. “Better late than never, but never late is better”, so with this project I want to share what I have learned so that other young teens might benefit from my experience and perspective.
{c}literacy takes American sexual education and flips it on its head. By taking it out of the outdated school system, and putting it in the palm of your hand, you have full control over what you want to learn and when you want to learn it, and there’s no holding back. We are comprehensive, up-to-date, medically accurate and still laid back. LGBTQ+? Covering it. Anal Sex? Yup! What about how to make yourself cum? 100%. And telling someone else how to make you cum? We’ll get there. The list goes on and on.
By creating a new sexually smart and empowered generation, we can erase the stigmas surrounding sex and the body and begin to open up powerful discussions that create real and genuine changes in society. We can lower the number of unwanted pregnancies, cut STD rates into shreds, and allow for greater self-esteem that enables us to live a healthier, happier, and frankly—more fun life.
* The concept of virginity is a social construct. When we have sex for the first time we do not actually lose anything. It does not change our identity, and it does not affect our worth. It is simply a new experience and only holds as much weight as you want it to.
