October 2022: Issue 10
This newsletter was developed (in part) with federal funds from the Office of Population Affairs. For more information on the rules and regulations that apply to our programs, please visit
|
|
The Wyoming Health Council works to ensure that all people can access safe, unbiased, high-quality sexual and reproductive health care. |
|
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month |
|
Good news! Not only is Title X dedicated to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning, but our clinics also offer related preventive health services, including breast and cervical cancer screenings and referrals!
In fact, in 2021, Title X service sites provided clinical breast exams (CBEs) to 26% (364,731) of female users and referred 7% (27,277) of those examined for further evaluation based on the results of the CBE! Title X Family Planning Annual Report
Help support your community by educating about breast cancer and the importance of being screened!
Find your local Title X Family Planning clinics at WYHC.ORG and call today to ask about your breast cancer screening options!
While this article, and breast cancer in general, often focuses on cisgendered women, it is important to note that anyone with breast tissue can develop breast cancer regardless of their gender identity!
|
|
|
|
Arnaldo and Vanessa's Family History of Breast Cancer |
While most fathers and daughters bond over things like dancing or fishing or basketball, Vanessa and her father Arnaldo grew closer when they faced breast cancer treatment together. |
|
|
|
Kenneth's Family History of Breast Cancer |
At 34 years old, Kenneth discovered he had breast cancer. It took an emotional toll on him, but he found strength by connecting with others. |
|
|
|
Transgender People: Breast Cancer and Hereditary Cancer |
Transgender and gender nonconforming clients can be at risk for breast cancer as well. This video covers risks and options for breast cancer screening in a trans man or a trans woman. Specific aspects to consider related to cancer predisposition genes. |
|
________Let's Talk Month________ |
Whether you are a parent or another supportive adult, children and teens need adults who are there for them! That means helping them with homework, encouraging their hobbies, and … talking about sex and relationships.
During #LetsTalkMonth each year, young people and parents (and askable adults) are encouraged to communicate with one another about sexuality — including relationships, bodies and body image, reproduction, gender and sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and preventing pregnancy and STDs.
|
|
|
|
Tips For Talking About Sexual Health
Your child sees you as a role model and a valuable and credible source of information. They want to get health information from you based on the loving and trusting relationship you have. For these reasons, along with many others, it’s important that you talk about sexual health with your child—this will help your child to make healthy, informed decisions now and later on. Here are some tips for starting or having conversations about sexual health at any age...
|
|
AMAZE
AMAZE envisions a world that recognizes child and adolescent sexual development as natural and healthy, a world in which young people everywhere are supported and affirmed and the adults in their lives communicate openly and honestly with them about puberty, reproduction, relationships, sex and sexuality.
AMAZE takes the awkward out of sex ed. Real info in fun, animated videos that give you all the answers you actually want to know about sex, your body and relationships.
|
|
Every Body Curious
Every Body Curious is a fun and illuminating web series for young people (and their parents!) that explores the birds and the bees with ease in today’s digital landscape.
It’s a safe setting where leading sex educators answer real questions from real kids, and open and honest conversations about sexuality, bodies and healthy relationships are encouraged.
We understand that not every family will interact with this content the same way, and that’s ok. Every Body Curious is for those families interested in evidence-based material to help facilitate these sorts of conversations with their kids.
|
|
Another great resources for parents and teens is the
Your Body, Your Life reproductive and sexual health series
presented by the Wyoming Health Council!
Register below to join our zoom series, or watch the recordings, and find great Parent and Teen resources on our website!
|
|
Your Body, Your Life
Class One: Reproductive Anatomy
Sept 14th @ 5pm
(Available on the wyhc.org website soon)
Oct 12th @ 5pm
Nov 9 @ 5pm
Dec 14 @ 5pm
|
|
Domestic Violence Awareness Month |
|
Domestic violence (also referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), dating abuse, or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.
Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. People of any race, age, gender, sexuality, religion, education level, or economic status can be a victim — or perpetrator — of domestic violence. That includes behaviors that physically harm, intimidate, manipulate or control a partner, or otherwise force them to behave in ways they don’t want to, including through physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, or financial control. (NDVH)
|
|
|
 |
What You Should Know About Reproductive Coercion
Reproductive coercion is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of abuses, all meant to “maintain power and control in a relationship,” according to the ACOG. It commonly takes the form of active birth control sabotage — like hiding, destroying, or withholding contraception (or, according to The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline), withholding finances for purchasing birth control); poking holes in a condom or removing a condom during sex without consent (an act known as “stealthing”); failing to carry out the agreed-upon pull out method; and even physically removing contraception like IUDs, vaginal rings, and patches.
The abuse can also take the form of pregnancy pressure and coercion. “The most common form of reproductive coercion we see in study after study is a partner telling a young person not to use birth control,” Heather McCauley, an assistant professor at MSU’s School of Social Work and one of the researchers of the MSU study, tells Teen Vogue. Per the ACOG, it can also mean forcing a person get pregnant against their wishes by threatening or carrying out acts of violence; and according to The Hotline, reproductive coercion may also be exerted by monitoring the victim’s menstrual cycles or purposefully trying to pass on a sexually transmitted disease.
|
|
|
|
Homicide is a leading cause of death in pregnant people, a new study finds. Black women are at greatest risk.
Earlier this year, Brown published an article with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence detailing the specific ways that medical racism, a long legacy of discrimination and reproductive coercion have resulted in Black women facing some of the highest rates of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
The study, written by researchers at Tulane University, found that people who are pregnant or in the postpartum period are twice as likely to die by homicide than any other leading cause of maternal mortality. Using data from the National Center for Health Statistics from 2018 and 2019, the study’s authors determined that about two-thirds of the incidents occurred at home.
|
|
|
|
Multiple forms of abuse are usually present at the same time in abusive situations, and it’s essential to understand how these behaviors interact so you know what to look for. When we know what relationship looks like and means, we can then take steps to get help for ourselves as well as better support others who are experiencing abuse. NDVH
Need Help? Know Someone Who Does?
Call 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224
1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)
Call 1-866-331-9474 or TTY 1-866-331-8453.
Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
Visit rainn.org to chat one-on-one with a trained RAINN support specialist, any time 24/7.
|
|
In 1994, a Missouri high school teacher named Rodney Wilson – the first out public school teacher in the state – wanted to give students better access to LGBTQ history as well as more role models with whom they could identify.
Today, as there continue to be widespread attacks on the rights of LGBTQ students, LGBTQ History Month feels more important than ever, serving to remind LGBTQ young people that they are part of a long, storied history of strength, resilience, and bravery.
LGBTQ History Month is a way to encourage schools, media, and other institutions devoted to sharing knowledge to amplify the important stories of the LGBTQ community.
|
|
Join Billy Porter as they take us on a journey through the more obscure actions that changed the course of LGBTQ+ History. |
|
You can watch more shorts on LGBTQ History Month HERE
|
|
Top 5 Historical LGBTQ Contributors to Medicine
Despite this discriminatory history, the LGBTQ community has made meaningful contributions to the larger medical community. Somewhat interestingly, this article was quite difficult to research, as gay history is still being written and not widely studied.
|
|
National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center
Provides educational programs, resources, and consultation to health care organizations with the goal of optimizing quality, cost-effective health care for the LGBTQIA+ community.
|
|
9 LGBTQ+ Sex Ed Facts All Queer Teens Should Know
Everyone deserves access to comprehensive sex education, and nobody deserves to go through life not knowing the basics of their bodies, sexual health, and identity. That's why Them asked experts to tell us the LGBTQ+ sex facts they think all queer teens should know, from the importance of masturbation to understanding consent. Read on for a list of nine LGBTQ+ sex ed facts for teens.
|
|
GLAAD 20 Under 20: Meet the 2022 Class of Outstanding Young LGBTQ Changemakers
The future is queer.
According to a Gallup poll published in February, more Americans than ever consider themselves something other than heterosexual — and Gen Z is leading the way, with one in five members of the 1997-2003 club identifying as LGBTQ+. Despite a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, rhetoric, and misinformation that could otherwise dissuade queer youth from stepping into their light, there is a particularly bright group of people building an unapologetic tomorrow for all of us.
Today, we see queer youth represented on TV in exciting, groundbreaking series like Love, Victor and Sex Education. We see them across social media, teaching audiences what it means to be Indigenous and queer. Perhaps most impactful, we see them making news and headlines. They have raised more than $2 million for medical access in response to attacks from far-right congress people. They have organized statewide walkouts against the “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida. Queer youth are leading the way and the future is theirs to take.
|
|
Click on the awareness day to find out more!
|
|
WYOMING HEALTH COUNCIL
111 S. Durbin, Suite 200
Casper, WY 82601
Call Us: (307) 439-2033
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
