Many people ask how Oh Megan came to enter into the field of Sexuality Education.
The article below quickly takes you down the path of how she became devoted to providing sexuality education and empowerment.
“I remember when people used to whisper the word “Divorced”, “Cancer”, or even “Black”? It seemed that there was something so inherently wrong about these words that if the choice was made to verbalize one of them, they HAD to be whispered for fear of being overheard. Sex however, was the one topic so bad that even whispers couldn’t tame it. Growing up in my house, “talk” about sex was nothing but euphemisms and silence. Yet talking about sex is what people did! I couldn’t understand why discourse around such a natural shared human experience should be so closely guarded. My mother always called me a “Contrarian”, saying “When someone says don’t, you do.” Thus did my career in sexuality blossom.
During college, I found a knack for memorizing sexual facts. Every night at supper, I would amaze and intrigue friends at the table with my “fact of the day”. I loved spreading factual knowledge, piquing my friends’ interests, and confronting the taboo topic all at once. Of course, I haven’t even mentioned the fact that something so scandalous shouldn’t EVER have been uttered by a GIRL!
I went through a SAR during my senior year of college. I was pretty sure that I wanted to work in the field of sexology and I thought it would help jumpstart my career. I knew the SAR would push me to expand my notion of sexuality. The first day was mind blowing. It consisted of watching hour after hour of sexual scenes and then breaking them down through discussion. The SAR hit me like a brick wall. My mind overflowed with questions and ideas, but the thing that stayed with me the most out of that experience was what I came to call: my “hot topics”. Through the SAR, I discovered topics which I had a huge bias against. And most importantly, I realized that when dealing with those “hot topics”, I would be an unsafe sexuality educator. One way or another, those biases would sneak out. Through discussion with other sexologists, I learned how to deal with this conundrum. Referrals were our ticket to safe education. With close self- assessment, we could safely instruct others without subjecting them to our biases. The creed that I came away with greatly resembled the Hippocratic Oath. My creed became, “Answer questions but above all else, DO NO HARM.”
This commitment to do no harm is what has guided me through my career as a sexuality educator. I love being able to provide individuals with information that they can choose to use in order to empower themselves, their lives and their relationships. I am thrilled to stand before people and show that sexuality CAN BE TALKED ABOUT, and you won’t die of shame in the process.
On a personal level, this will-to-talk has caused some ripples. My parents were mortified when I revealed to them my career aspirations. But gradually, they started to acknowledge my passion and expertise. And now? They’re proud to tell their friends about my latest work. And proud they should be. After all, I credit them with my entry into the field of sexuality. As I often say to nervous parents at the start of my HOW TO TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT SEXUALITY classes: “My parents NEVER talked to me about sex and look what I do now for a living. If you don’t want your kids to end up like me, start talking to them!” It never fails to elicit giggles from the room and helps comfort the crowd. There is power talking openly and honestly about sex. I’m glad to help people reclaim it.”
“Megan is an incredibly down to earth, intelligent, beautiful and powerful individual who exemplifies what we should all aspire to. In today’s PC world it is all too easy to acquiesce to societal norms while leaving are true selves tucked away in a closet only to come out to a select few if anyone at all.
It is truly a testament when someone can thrive, inspire and excel regardless of the hand they are dealt in life. That’s what inspires me in life and Megan may as well be my muse as she constantly surprises and moves me in ways I never expect. To fuse ones passions and beliefs while inspiring and educating others is a gift to us all. Thank you Megan for being an amazing and inspirational educator who isn’t afraid to express her own insecurities while helping us navigate our own.”
Participant, Vagina Monologues
