Sexual Safety and Health
Find Sexual Health Care in Boston
We know how important it is to have clear, accurate information about our bodies and our rights. Y2Connect Boston is a website from Boston Public School's Office of Health and Wellness. This website offers accurate and trusted information on sexual health and allows youth to search for Boston area clinics and community resources offering sexual health services.
If a student has questions about sexual health, you can help them find a Boston area health center using Y2Connect Boston.
Y2Connect Boston allows you or your students to search for Boston area clinics and resources by zip code or service. On the homepage, there is a topic category labeled "LGBTQ+" that lists local clinics and resources that have care or programs specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. Currently, the homepage features another category that states "Open During COVID-19" and displays clinics open during the pandemic. Information regarding sexual health services and minor rights to confidential sexual health care can be found under "Get the Facts" on the homepage.
Minor Rights & Sexual Health Care
Minors of any age can independently consent to confidential sexual health care such as:
STI/HIV Testing
Birth Control & Condoms
Pregnancy Testing & Counseling
Emergency Contraception
LGBTQ+ Specific Clinics & Community Resources found on Y2Connect Boston:
BAGLY (Boston Alliance of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Queer Youth) has a clinic that services LGBTQ+ youth 29 years of age and younger. BAGLY also offers community support programs for LGBTQ+ youth.
Offers support and sexual health care to LGBTQ+ youth of color.
Aims to enhance the well being of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Sidney Borum, Jr. Health Center
Offers safe, non-judgmental care for young people ages 12–29 who may not feel comfortable going anywhere else. No one is turned away .
Support & Strength
Survivors of Sexual Assault
A survivor-led, social justice organization that works to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, SM, polyamorous, and queer communities. Offers a hotline, support groups, individual support, and survivor programs.
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC)
BARCC aims to end sexual violence through healing and social change. Provides free, confidential support and services to survivors of sexual violence ages 12 and up and their families and friends and works with survivors of all genders.
Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC) is dedicated to serving the legal needs of rape and sexual assault victims. Through free legal services, staff attorneys and volunteer attorneys help restore victims' lives after experiencing sexual violence, ensuring that survivors may stay in school; protecting their privileged and confidential mental health, medical and education records; preserving their employment; maintaining safe housing; securing their immigration status; and swiftly accessing victim compensation and other benefits.
LGBTQ+ Safety Hotlines
LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743
Available Monday - Friday 4:00pm to Midnight and Saturdays Noon to 5:00pm
The Trevor Project: 866-488-7386
Available 24 Hours a day, 7 days per week
BPS Sexual & Reproductive Health Initiatives
Sexual Health Education
Sexual Health Education is an important part of the BPS Comprehensive Health Education program for PreK through Grade 12. Classes are taught by qualified, trained teachers and address the physical, mental, emotional and social aspects of human sexuality at a level appropriate to the age of the students. The curriculum includes education about sexual and gender identity and is inclusive of all, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ+) students. The program is designed to help students maintain sexual health by developing healthy relationships, delaying sexual activity, preventing disease and pregnancy, and reducing risky sexual behaviors.
Lessons may include these topics:
Adolescent growth and development, including the changes throughout puberty
How to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships
How communicable diseases (including HIV/AIDS) are spread and how to prevent their spread
Health enhancing behaviors and behaviors which pose risks to good health
Responsible decision making, including reducing sexual health-related risk behaviors
Resisting negative peer pressure
Effective ways to say “no” to risky behaviors
Respecting the right to privacy of self and others.
For information about the sexual health education curricula and trainings that are provided in K-12, contact Nykia Leach, Sexual Health Education (SHE) Manager at nleach@bostonpublicschools.org.
Condom Accessibility Program (BPS High Schools)
The Boston Public School's Condom Accessibility Policy states that every BPS high school should make free condoms available through a Condom Accessibility Team (CAT) consisting of at least the school nurse(s), one school staff member, and one school administrator. More school staff on the CAT is always welcome!
By having more staff on the CAT, the school increases the access points within the school where students can get condoms and sexual health referrals as well as diversifies the team so that more students may have a person on the team they feel comfortable talking to.
CATs have two main priorities:
Dispense free condoms to students who request them as long as the student is not on the opt-out list.
Students should get a condom packet, which contains 6 condoms and a condom use instruction booklet.
There is no limit to the number of condoms students can get and there is no requirement that the student speak to you first about their sexual history, etc. before getting condoms.
Give students sexual health referrals.
Staff can help students find where to go for sexual health services, such as: pregnancy testing, birth control, STI/HIV testing, etc.
Y2Connect Boston can help students and school staff find local health clinics and resources.
For information about Condom Accessibility program or CATs, contact Maggie Carmona at mcarmona@bostonpublicschools.org
Menstrual Access Program
In Summer 2019, Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston gave BPS School Health Services $100,000 to put towards menstrual equity in the district. The menstrual access program included 77 schools with grades 6 - 12.
The program expects that each school will assemble a Menstrual Access Program (MAP) team. The MAP team will consist of diverse school staff who will have menstrual products available in their room/office should students needs access. The team is headed by the school nurse(s), who keeps track of the menstrual product inventory and will reach out to School Health Services when products need to be reordered.
For information about the BPS Menstrual Access Program, please contact Maggie Carmona at mcarmona@bostonpublicschools.org
Expectant & Parenting Students Policy
The BPS Expectant and Parenting Student Policy aims to support the dignity and self-determination of young people who are expectant or parenting to ensure they are academically successful.
The policy is inclusive of all gender identities and partners of students who are expectant.
Per the policy, each school with grades 6 - 12 is expected to appoint a school staff member to serve as the Expectant and Parenting Student Policy Liaison. This person should know and understand the policy, and communicate the policy to school staff and the greater school community. The name of the liaison should be posted in the school and on the school website.