by Natasha Vianna

There is no such thing as an unneeded conversation between parents and their children. Some discussions may seem tough to initiate and some may seem unnecessary. Yet, we find that these very discussions can actually educate our children and empower them to make great decisions in life. Talking can seem like a simple concept but certain topics may feel really intimidating. Luckily, October is “Let’s Talk Month”, a month of exploring discussion methods and highlighting the importance of sexual education.

A parent may not always know when a child needs a talk. No one thought I needed to learn anything about sexual relationships when I was younger. No one assumed “it” was an issue in my life. Yet at the age of seventeen, I became a mother. My family did not think this would happen to me and there were no “signs” of the life I was going to live. While I have embraced and adored my role as a young parent, I know that there were many times when I needed more information, guidance, and open discussions with my parents about sexuality.

Becoming a teen parent has been a challenging new role but the more interesting task of educating my daughter now arises. As a mother, I know I am here to communicate with her in an open honest manner about every aspect of sexuality. As a parent, I know I play a pivotal role in helping my daughter make healthy decisions about her body and sex. And because I am still so young and vividly remember my younger years, I know that parents are perfectly capable of being the best sex educators. I wish mine were.

Each year on October 15 we observe National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), a day to raise awareness of HIV among Latinos and promote HIV prevention, testing, and treatment.  

Latinos experience 20% of HIV infections even though they represent only 16% of the population.  They face barriers to education, testing, and treatment, including poverty, homophobia, stigma, and for undocumented immigrants, fear of disclosure should they seek care.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a study of the epidemic among Latinos and has found that the rate of new infections is highest among Latinos who live in the Northeast; while the largest population with HIV resides in the South.  Men who have sex with men face particular risk of HIV.  

Ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic not only requires that all people have access to the prevention and health care they need, but that structural barriers like poverty and lack of education be removed.

Resources for NLAAD:

www.NLAAD.org

AIDS.gov blogs in observance of NLAAD

Janine Kossen, Director, Public Policy 

October 11 marks the first-ever International Day of the Girl, recognized by the United Nations, governments, communities, and girls around the world! The Day of the Girl is about highlighting, celebrating, discussing, and advancing young women's and girls' lives and opportunities across the globe. This year, the international community is coming together to commit to ending child marriage.

While young women and girls are change-agents in their local, national, and global communities, they also face unique challenges to fulfilling their leadership potentialchallenges such as early and forced marriage. Every three seconds, a girl under the age of 18 becomes a child bride. One in seven girls will be forced to marry by the age of 15. And, if child marriage continues at its current rate, 100 million more girls will be married in the next decade. 

Ask Secretary Clinton to help stop child marriage! 

October 11 is National Coming Out Day – a day for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to celebrate who they are.

Advocates for Youth works with many young people who identify as LGBT, and their bravery and leadership inspires us and guides our work. Here’s what they have to say about coming out:

Coming out shows others it is possible to come out, and be proud of who you are. It inspires others to be themselves or even feel a little better even if they aren't ready to come out. – Brentt, 17

Being out gives me a sense of self. Whether or not people agree with my sexual orientation no longer matters to me; I know who I am and who I want to love. – Ellie, 21

There's immense strength in vulnerability, and I honor the legacy of fierce femmes of color before me by living out and proud. - Nefertiti, 21

Everyone should love who they are and be proud of it. Coming out is about accepting who we are, no matter what that means. – Diane, 21

The closet is a lonely place, and outside of it there is a whole world of people ready to love you without apology. – Karlee, 21

By being out, I am voicing my support for myself and other LGTBQIA individuals. Being openly out, even if only a little bit, creates change around me.
-Rikki, 23

On National Coming Out Day, we honor LGBT young people around the United States and the world. Brentt, Ellie, Nefertiti, Diane, Karlee, Rikki, and many other LGBT youth activists are helping to create a society where all people can speak the truth about who they are and be celebrated. We hope you will join them by celebrating the LGBT youth in your life.