Part 1: Tossing Out the Binary
April 11, 2023 • 12:00 PM ET

When talking about birth control, the focus typically is on women’s bodies, with the exception of external condoms and withdrawal.

We know it can feel tricky (at first) to discuss avoiding pregnancy in a way that includes everyone and every gender in the room. However, research shows that inclusive classrooms are necessary in supporting the diverse academic, social, emotional, and communication needs of all students.

As educators, it’s of the utmost importance that we include all students in learning and prioritize their sexual health above our discomfort. With practice and confidence, you will ensure that your young people are seen and that they know you care about their health.

Join Vanessa Geffrard from True You Maryland for this 30-minute session to learn how we can talk about contraceptive methods without isolating students.

Upon completion, participants will be able to: 

1. Recognize the need for inclusive language in sex education;
2. Employ activities regarding anatomy, safer sex methods, and birth control; and
3. Learn our staff’s tips and tricks for starting to teach inclusively.

Part 2: What’s New These Days?
April 25, 2023 • 2:30 PM ET

From Annovera to Twirla to Phexxi! Whew! Keeping up-to-date with birth control methods can be a full-time job! The good news is that some of the “new” methods are simply known birth control methods that have been tweaked and re-branded for marketing purposes.

Let’s spend 30 minutes sorting out what methods are new, how these methods work in the body, and how to incorporate them into your existing contraceptive lesson plans.

It’s also really important to include content about where young people can find birth control, especially when there may be limited options in their community.

We assure you that after your new and improved contraceptive lesson, your young people will be fully informed AND have more control over their fertility and health!

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Identify the latest (2020-2023) contraceptive methods and explain how each method prevents pregnancy,
• Describe the benefits and side effects of these new methods, and
• Identify ways young people can access contraception.

Vanessa Geffrard is a life-affirming sex educator residing in West Baltimore. Vanessa serves as Vice President of Education and Training at Planned Parenthood of Maryland. In her role, she leads the strategic direction of sex education programs across the state. Vanessa manages and implements middle school programming, adult trainings, and community workshops. She also trains and educates folks across the lifespan around sexual health topics such as consent and boundaries, sexually transmitted infection prevention, contraceptive methods, teen pregnancy and abortion stigma, healthy relationships, and LGBTQ inclusion. Vanessa is the founder of VagEsteem™, a workshop series and podcast that encourages good and healthy sex through courageous conversation about love and sexuality.

Lindsay Roemer is Planned Parenthood of Maryland’s (PPM) Education Manager. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Villanova University in 2003, as well as minors in both Psychology and Spanish. Lindsay went on to serve as an Americorps National Civilian Community Corps volunteer before working as Program Manager of Middle and High Schools for Best Buddies of Maryland for several years. She began working for PPM in 2008 at the Towson Health Center location before transitioning into the Education and Outreach department in 2009. Lindsay has worked at PPM for over 15 years, providing educational programming on sexual health for elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as colleges and community agencies. Lindsay also manages PPM’s high school Peer Education Program and conducts trainings on sexual health for foster parents and youth-serving professionals across the state of Maryland.