Curious about how bodies actually work beyond the myths, awkward euphemisms and half-truths you’ve heard online? This Sex Ed 101 webinar, being led by King’s Interim Sexual Health & Safety Officer Miriam Bonello MacQuarrie, offers a clear, inclusive and science-based look at human sexual anatomy and physiological arousal.
We’ll start by exploring reproductive anatomy across different bodies, including structures typically associated with people assigned female or male at birth, as well as intersex variations. From there, we’ll break down what happens in the body during arousal—from brain signals to blood flow—and how these processes can differ for people with vulvas and people with penises, including how gender-affirming hormones or surgeries may influence anatomy and sexual response.
This workshop centres anatomical diversity and challenges narrow assumptions about bodies, gender and sexuality. We’ll look at how different aspects of human identity such as gender identity, expression, biological sex and attraction are separate, independent components rather than a single, unified concept.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Identify and describe anatomical structures using accurate, inclusive terminology
- Explain the neurological, vascular and hormonal processes involved in arousal
- Understand how gender-affirming medical care can affect sexual anatomy and response
- Distinguish between biological sex traits, gender identity, and gender expression
- Recognize intersex variations as a natural part of human diversity
- Use inclusive, respectful language when discussing bodies and sexual health
- Understand that sexual response is highly individual and shaped by physical, psychological and social factors
Whether you want reliable information for yourself, your future healthcare decisions or to better understand others, this workshop will give you tools to think critically, talk respectfully and make informed choices about sexual health.
