LOS ANGELES — Everyone Deserves Sex Ed (EDSE) has tapped disability educator, advocate and consultant Andrew Gurza to train attendees of its upcoming 25-hour sex educator certification program, scheduled April 18-19 and 25-26 in Los Angeles.
This is Gurza’s third time teaching on the topics of sex and disability with EDSE, explained a rep, and he will facilitate "a frank, honest and enlightening discussion of the disabled experience regarding sexual health and education, helping attendees to recognize and reduce ableism in their everyday lives."
Gurza will use his lived experience of disability, along with years of work in the field, to offer "refreshing and candid conversations" about sexuality and disability — especially the challenges disabled people face while accessing intimate health services. He will guide EDSE attendees through "an intersectional discussion that will help prepare and empower them with the language and understanding necessary to provide services that are truly accessible."
Gurza expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity presented by EDSE. "I am so excited to work with EDSE again this year and educate attendees on the everyday ableism that exists in sex-ed and health spaces," Gurza said. "As a queer person, a disabled man and sex educator — known to many as 'the sexiest queer cripple' — I’ll help EDSE attendees recognize and confront their own sexual ableism while laughing along with me. As a disabled sex educator, my goal is to show attendees that sex and disability is an often overlooked, but vitally important part of comprehensive sex education. EDSE participants will learn that sex and disability education is not only essential, but also really hot!"
EDSE founder and lead educator Anne Hodder-Shipp tapped Gurza to handle the "Sex & Disability" portion of the certification "because of his friendly approach to discussing sensitive subjects."
“Andrew has a unique talent for disarming his audience and quickly connecting with people at an authentically human level, which is so important when discussing topics that can be difficult to talk about,” Hodder-Shipp said. “One of the most memorable parts of my sex education training was learning from disabled educators and advocates and understanding how my own unconscious ableism was affecting the ways I worked with clients.”
To apply, fill out the form at the EDSE site. An EDSE representative will be in contact within 48 hours of submission.
