YES

Did you know that Pennsylvania schools are not currently required to teach seggs education? They are required, however, to teach about STIs and stress the importance of abstinence in their curriculum.

In addition to this, there are no regulations for medically accurate seggs ed instruction. This type of curriculum increases stigma and the likelihood of misinformation.

Want to get involved? Contact your local board of education & your government officials!

[id:On a single slide there is a dark purple background, a light blue banner and four bubble shaped boxes. The banner reads, in bold-black text, “Seggs Education Laws." Underneath that text is “Pennsylvania 2026." Next to this banner is a graphic showcasing a pile of books with a black graduation cap on top of them. In the first blue bubble at the top-left of the slide, it reads the requirements for Seggs-Ed in Pennsylvania. Under the word ‘Required’, are the following two bullet-points: “Teaching about STIs like HIV” and “Abstinence-focused curriculums." The bubble next to the previous one, states what is currently NOT required in Pennsylvania regarding Seggs-Ed. Under the words ‘Not Required’, are the following two bullet-points: “Seggsual Education as a whole” and “Regulations for medically accurate seggs education." The third blue bubble, at the bottom-left of the slide reads “Why is this an issue?” with the following two bullet points: “Increases stigma” and “Likely to increase misinformation." The final blue bubble describes ways to get involved if you want to advocate for better laws regarding seggs-ed. Under the words “How to get involved:” are the following three bullet-points: “Contact your local board of education," “Keep up with pending legislations," and “Contact your representatives."

Mx Nutz Productions is addressing a longstanding problem; accessibility challenges at Philly nightlife and performance art shows. They're creating shows with access needs and comfort set as a top priority!

Check out their shows this week!

Next up for our cast announcements: Give it up for Balena Canto!

Born on the southern coast of Italia, Balena Canto sang out to sea conjuring a passing humpback whale who took her to a distant and mysterious land called “Philadelphia.” Balena's favorite thing about her home is a local delicacy called, "water ice" (helps soothe the singer's throat). Balena’s mission in life is to bring joy, laughter, and perhaps a tear or two (she is an opera singer after all) to her audiences through song. Balena performs, hosts, and produces throughout the Greater Philadelphia Area and beyond. Vsit her Instagram to learn more!

July is Disability Pride month: a month to celebrate and honor the disabled community.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990, to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities; however, we don't always see this in our day-to-day lives. It's important to keep fighting for a more accessible and understanding society.

We believe that every person deserves bodily autonomy and that relationships and pleasure belong to disabled people, too. We strive to promote disability justice in all that we do, from our everyday work to our programming.

[id: a graphic with the Disability Pride flag as the background. It is a black background with diagonal parallel bands that are green, light blue, white, gold, and red. Black text reads, "Happy Disability Pride Month!"

We often talk about physical safety, but emotional safety is just as important.

Emotional safety is the feeling that you can be yourself, express your thoughts, needs, and feelings, set boundaries, and communicate honestly without fear of ridicule, manipulation, retaliation, or punishment.

When we feel emotionally safe, we feel comfortable communicating openly, setting boundaries, giving and receiving consent, and building trust with others.

What helps you feel emotionally safe in a relationship?

[id: Slide 1 - A light blue slide with black text that reads, "What is emotional safety?" Below are five different graphics of orange faces. The faces from left to right show a big smiley face, a smiley face, a neutral face, a frowning face, and an angry face. The YES! logo is below. Slide 2 - A light blue graphic with black text that reads, Emotional safety is the feeling of being accepted and embraced for your true feelings. When you have emotional safety in your relationships, you feel safe being your authentic self." Slide 3 - A light blue graphic with black text that reads, "Emotionally safe relationships make room for honest conversations, vulnerability, boundaries, and personal growth." Below is a graphic of two people hugging. Slide 4 - A light blue graphic with black text that reads, "You deserve emotionally safe relationships." Below is a rainbow watercolor heart.]