Ireland’s LGBT+ Youth Service, BeLonG To, have released a new video series that explores sexuality, gender, consent and sexual health. The videos are launched by the Ladybirds, BeLonG To’s youth group for lesbian, bisexual and trans women (LBT), as well as non-binary people.

BeLonG To partnered with Dublin City South CYPSC and the Healthy Ireland Programme to examine topics that are not typically covered in normal sex education classes. Moninne Griffith, the executive director of of BeLonG To Youth Services said:

“This is just the start of the conversation around the sexual health of LBT girls and women. Help us continue it by sharing these videos online and on your social media accounts.

“Let’s break the silence around sex and sexual health for LBT women and their non-binary friends.”

In one video, the Ladybirds speak about their experiences of sex education within the Irish school system:

“You’re kind of just told sex is for reproduction, when there’s so much more to sex than that.”

Another Ladybird recalled how their school “didn’t mention condoms, didn’t mention anything a guy could do for birth control at all!”

The Ladybirds praise BeLonG To’s own sexual education programme:

“They actually cover topics like lesbian sex, and gay sex, and just sex in general, and how consent is so active in it.”

One video examines the centrality of consent, and how typical sexual education classes fail to address its importance:

“I think it’s something young kids should be taught from a really early age in preparation for conversations about sex and sexual consent.”

“When we talk about consent in BeLonG To, we talk about consent being enthusiastic, asking ‘Is this OK with you?’ and getting a very enthusiastic ‘Yes, that’s what I want to happen now.’”

BeLonG To offer a number of services to LGBT+ youth in Ireland. A full list of their services can be found here.