While discussing sexual health and sex positivity can often be an uncomfortable experience for teens, the founders of a new sexual education club hope to change that.

Senior Shoshi Fischman is one of the three students starting Sexual Health Education Club (SHEC), which aims to educate teens on sexual health.

Fischman said she hopes the club will give teens the education they need and provide a space to discuss sex openly.

“I hope that this club will make talking about sex less taboo,” Fischman said.

Fischman, along with seniors Brita Hunegs and Dave Herrera, created the club because of their desire to advocate sexual health. Fischman said she believes the club will help give students a more positive view on sex and increase their knowledge of sex positivity.

“It’s a very beneficial way of thinking in today’s society because with all the media promoting sex in such a negative way. It’s good to hear things that aren’t so negative and promote individuality and human nature,” Fischman said.

Sex positivity is defined as being comfortable with a person’s own sexuality and with sexuality in general, but has expanded to a movement that advocates for safe sex, consent and sexual education.

Staff adviser Allison Luskey said she believes students have a greater desire to discuss sexuality and sexual health because of a variety of factors, including increased exposure in the media.

“There’s so much sexuality in the media and society in general, and not everyone is comfortable talking about it. There is this huge elephant in the room, but yet there are lots of students that want to talk about sexual health education,” Luskey said.

Luskey said she believes the student-run group will provide a sense of privacy and safety to talk about the uncomfortable subject.

“We wanted to create a space where if there were questions or concerns about sexual health. This club could be a safe space for that,” Luskey said.

Herrera said he believes having a sexual health club will not only impact the high school, but also the community.

“During a time that sex has become more of a free thing, it’s good for kids to know how to have sex safely, and maybe spread the word about it,” Herrera said.

Sophomore Karla Garcia said SHEC will be a great addition for the students.

“Not many parents think sex is necessarily okay, so it’s a good thing to have so at least kids know what’s going on and how to be protected before they have sex,” Garcia said.

Tim Post of Minnesota Public Radio recently interviewed SHEC’s founders Dec. 25 because of the club being the first of its kind in the state. The story is published on MPRnews.org.

Luskey said she believes this new club is a great addition because it will focus on the positive aspects of sexual health and not necessarily the negative aspects of it.

“It’s about sexual education and choices,” Luskey said. “We’re sexual beings, so we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about it.”

Jamie Halper