FREE COMMUNITY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS

**Girls who identify as female 14-18 years only will be admitted**

CONTACT FORUM LEADERS FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR A PARENTAL CONSENT FORM:

Kristin Areglado Hurley, LCPC, CST 650-8101 and Jennifer Wiessner, LCSW, CST 400-7808
www.karegladohurley.com and www.jenniferwiessnerhealthysexuality.com

FB EVENT PAGE:  https://www.facebook.com/events/161062508666824/

WHEN:

Saturday, April 5, 2020 8:45 AM-1:45 PM. Please arrive by 8:50 AM

WHO:

Those who identify as female 14-18 years of age ONLY

WHERE:

The fabulous CoworkHERS at 411 Congress St. Portland on the corner of Chestnut and Congress.

🔥 Continuing in 2020:

• Sexual Literacy 101 for Parents and Caregivers
• Come get your own questions answered about yourself and your daughter from a professional.
• One hour event at drop off for parents/guardians of participants 9AM-10AM

WHAT:

• Professional panelist discussion, breakout sessions in sexuality education, gynecology, sexual health, and healthy and consensual relationships overseen by Maine sex therapists and educators,
• Parental Consent form MUST be signed at registration for participants under 16 yrs of age
• **Only those who identify as female between 14-18 yrs will be admitted**
• Snacks will be provided

Parental Consent form required (click on) if you are under 16 years of age for the parental/guardian consent form. You must bring the signed form to attend the workshop.

Click here to download the PDF flyer

Mission statement:

Girls on Fire was created in 2017 by two women who are mothers, sex therapists and activists who seek to assist a generation of young women (and those who identify as such) to be knowledgeable and comfortable with their sexuality. In this sex saturated and sex silent culture it is hard to find healthy, accessible and medically accurate information for our young women. Girls on Fire seeks to expose its participants to local experts in the field of sexuality, consent and healthy relationships, and allow group discussion, brainstorming and processing in a safe, inclusive environment.

Feedback "What was helpful" from 2017, 2018 and 2019 participants:

"Focusing on 'Yes' vs. 'No" and practicing asking.

"Hearing things that sex ed classes leave out."

"The large female-empowerment vibe."

"The videos and honest conversations."

"The scientific facts about benefits of pleasure. Took away shame."

"It was helpful to listen to the other girls and how they approached relationships and learning about the vulva"

"I liked listening to the anonymous questions"

"I became more comfortable with awkward situations."

"Love yourself/respect yourself before you try to have a relationships with someone else"

"Everything! Very informative, sex-positive and feminist."

"It was helpful hearing and relating to others' stories, 'sex is like cake' video and the relationship Bill of Rights."

"Learning about what we are not taught in school and meeting wonderful women. Thank you so much! What you do is so important!"

"It was helpful to learn about myself as a sexual being."

"It was helpful comparing everyday hobbies/dislikes to consent and knowing what it feels like."

"Learned about the parts of the vulva (which is NOT the vagina!) and learned about faux-empowerment."

"Super awesome way to learn about consent...great job!"

"Anatomy of Pleasure was fun and engaging session. Best part of the day was hearing what everyone else has to say."

“I learned so much about my body and what can be good for it. The things I thought were not normal I know now they are normal for people my age.”

“Very empowering in how you have healthy relationships and what they are”

“Having people use the correct terms for parts of the body and speak freely about the importance of pleasure.”

“It was helpful to learn about what I have down there. I wish we had a longer time.”

“Best part of the day was the panel with questions”

“I learned a lot about my body and pleasure”

“Getting to know the relationship bill of rights”

“Everything was helpful - helped me figure out the unhealthiness of relationships.”

“Hearing someone speak about how technology impacts real life”

Girls on Fire Co-creator bios:

Jennifer Wiessner is a licensed clinical social worker, certified sex therapist, a sexuality educator, public speaker and writer in Cumberland, Maine. In 2012 she was the only female sex therapist in the state of Maine. She was also the only therapist in the inaugural class of Sexual Health Scholars Program for medical students in 2010. Jennifer's passion is to change the world for youth so they can experience body pride, well-being and love and pleasure without shame.

She has a private therapy practice and sees couples and adult individuals and creates and facilitates Raising Sexually Healthy Children workshops across the state to educate parents on why talking to their kids and teens about sexuality is a healthy and normal part of life. Jennifer also consults with parents, medical students and providers, schools, professionals and therapists on sexual health. Jennifer is a mom to 8th and 5th grade sons and wife to Greg.

Kristin Areglado Hurley is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Certified Sex Therapist, who serves families, couples and adults at her private practice in Portland. She worked for many years as a high school counselor, where she ran counseling groups for females in abusive dating relationships, as well as LBGTQI students.

Kristin co-facilitates Women’s Weekend Spirituality Sexuality Retreats, Couples Sexuality Retreats, and is incredibly passionate about creating experiences for people to normalize and explore the joys of sexuality in the name of sexual justice. Kristin is a mom to a 10th grade daughter, and wife to Jason.