BLUSH: Bold Learning for Understanding Sexual Health
BLUSH provides opportunities for youth to explore attitudes, values, and behaviours that support sexual health and well-being for lifelong impact.
BLUSH is a peer-to-peer education program working with youth during the developmental window aged 12 to 18 to provide opportunities for youth to explore attitudes, values, and behaviours that support sexual health and well-being for lifelong impact.
What to expect
We acknowledge acknowledge that we live work and play on the unceded and ancestral lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), səlilwətaɬ (Isleil Waututh), and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) First Peoples. We acknowledge that we are visitors on these territorial lands and for that we strive to tread lightly.
BLUSH has been delivering sexual health education to youth around the Lower Mainland for more than 20 years. You might know us by our old name – Condomania. Our service area includes Vancouver and Richmond. We serve secondary schools and also welcome workshop requests from youth groups and organizations that serve youth. Occasionally, we can serve areas outside Vancouver and Richmond when we have the capacity.
Bold Learning for Understanding Sexual Health
We love “Bold Learning” because we believe in open, candid and unapologetic discussions around sex and sexual health.
We believe these topics are as vital as any other classroom subject, and our peer-to-peer approach is the best way to generate discussions and inspire learning.
For youth, by youth
Our program is youth-driven, meaning every aspect of it, from the curriculum, evaluation and branding, was developed in consultation with Youth Educators in addition to our prevention specialists.
We believe our Youth Educators know the students best and can advocate for the most valuable and relevant topics. Peer education is also shown to have the most impact in health promotion, literacy and education. G
Ethical stance and framework
At BLUSH we continue to strive to do the best work possible and to support that work in Sexual Health Education we make every effort to use Inclusive and Destigmatizing language that works to remove fear because words matter.
The framework in place in the BLUSH program that informs our practice is Reproductive Justice, a Decolonizing Approach, LGBT2SQIA+ informed, Disability Justice, Racial Justice all while using a lens of Intersectionality grounded in a Culture of Consent.
Our goal is to create programming that meets the needs of all participants no matter gender, orientation, race, ability, or class and this programming is research based with the use of precise and neutral language to assist in lessening the fear and stigma in Sexual Health Education.
Decolonizing Sexual Health Education Statement
At BLUSH we strive to move Sexual Health Education into the present moment and currently we are working on the understanding of the decolonization of Sexual Health Education. Read the full statement.
Resources
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Call SexSense
Free and confidential service that is staffed by registered nurses, clinical counsellors, and educators. Call 1-800-SEX-SENSE (1-800-739-7367) or 604-731-7803.
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QMUNITY
BC’s queer, trans, and Two-Spirit resource centre improves the lives of the LGBTQ2SAI+ community.
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Asexual Outreach Network
An international organization that provides the Asexual community with Tools and Resources to enable all to grow together toward a brighter future.
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The Native Youth Sexual Health Network (NYSHN)
An organization by and for Indigenous youth that works across issues of sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice throughout US and Canada.
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YouthCO
An organization of youth leaders within the HIV and Hep C movements.
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Spinal Cord Injury BC
Sexual health education for those with a spinal cord injury.
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Teen Health Source
A vast wealth of knowledge for teens about sexual health including blogs on birth control, PREP, DIY sex toys, anxiety, body image and more.
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UNYA: 2-Spirit Collective
Provides support, resources, and programming for Indigenous youth, ages 15 to 30, who identify as 2-spirit or LGBTQ+ and for those who are questioning their sexual or gender identities.
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Organization for Autism Research: Sex Ed for Self-Advocates
A sexuality and sex education resource written specifically for autistic people age 15 and up by
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You are Made of Medicine
A mental health peer support manual for Indigenous 2-spirit, LGBTQ+, and gender non-conforming Indigenous youth.
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Ace Inclusion Guide for High Schools
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Ace Inclusion Guide for High Schools
Provides educators with tools and knowledge to build inclusive environments for asexual students in their schools and communities.
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Workshops
BLUSH workshops encourage discussions about all the emotional and social considerations that come with being a sexual or non-sexual being in a relaxed, candid, non-judgmental and fun way!
Youth get the information they need from their older peers. BLUSH empowers a diverse and Inclusive group of youth educators to facilitate discussions and help give other youth tools to make informed, safe, and right choices for them.
Workshop topics
Our co-facilitated youth educator teams engage youth on topics they know are essential for youth to talk freely about, such as relationships, safer sex options, confidence around open communication, gender and identity, factors that influence decision-making, and personal boundaries.
All workshops end with discussing sexual consent and a demonstration of inclusive barrier use.
Book a workshop
All workshop booking requests are made by emailing joanna.dauz@vch.ca and blush@vch.ca.
If you have a workshop-related question or wish to speak with someone regarding your booking, don't hesitate to get in touch with us via email at blush@vch.ca.
Meet the BLUSH Youth Educators
The Youth Educators lead fun and educational workshops on relationships, sexual health, sexualized media and more. They are only a few years older, between 17 and 24 than the students they work with in-classroom. This dynamic allows for true learning exchanges because our Youth Educators know the topics students care about. Learn more about the team and how you can join too!
Find a Youth Clinic near you
Want a place where you don’t have to worry about anyone knowing you’re in need of some sexual health guidance? A place where you won’t have to worry about feeling judged and a place that is used to helping people your age? Then VCH’s Youth Clinics are for you!
Youth Clinics are free and confidential, and staff is always willing to point you in the direction of available services.
And it doesn’t have to be just about sex… if you are feeling low or stressed, or just like you need to talk to someone, they can help connect you with a counsellor! Or, if you have questions about using substances in a safer way, or would like help to quit smoking, they can help with that too!