This episode is with Erin Elo!

About Erin (no pronouns, just Erin is preferred, she/her/they/them is ok):

Erin is a Youth and Gender Programs Manager for West County Health Centers (a Federally Qualified Health Center in Sonoma County, California). Erin has worked with youth since they were a young person themselves: an early passion bestowed upon them by the youth workers who made a difference in their young life. 

Erin is most excited about serving historically underserved and marginalized communities and working within service areas that are seen as taboo or controversial. Though Erin doesn’t specialize specifically in any field, Erin has trained in many fields to address the needs of their community. Erin is a phlebotomist, abortion doula, sex educator and youth worker. Erin’s heart is in the work and they hope all their clients feel seen and are met just where they are.  

In Erin’s personal life, plants, family, nature and crafting bring great joy. Erin is a chronic illness warrior and this helps to remind them to slow down sometimes. Core values of Erin’s life are harm reduction and consent. If Erin could leave folks with a message, they would want folks to remember, we are all human, we are all worthy and inherently there is nothing wrong with any of us!

In the podcast we talk about:

* Introduction to Erin & the work they do

* What Erin picked up (and didn’t pick up!) about gender & sexual orientation from seeing relationships around her

* Coming out in college & how Erin told people in their life

* Erin’s journey to being a sex educator and youth services manager

* What motivates Erin to work with youth in this field

* How Erin’s work has changed over the past ten years and what they are doing now

* Erin’s take on pleasure (spoiler: it’s not just about orgasm!)

* What Erin has done to bring more pleasure into their life (including what they’ve done differently in communicating with their partner!)

* How polyamory & letting go of cis-het norms has impacted Erin’s sex life

* Lessons that young people have taught Erin

* Erin’s advice for parents – including how you can incorporate more consent into your parenting

* The programs that Erin runs at West County (including a trans accessory program) and how folks can support these programs

How to support the work Erin & her team do at WCHC:

Erin does not have a platform they would like to share personally. To reach out to Erin professionally, their email is [email protected]. If you would like to donate to Erin’s work and the young people they serve, you can make a donation at https://www.wchealth.org/help/donations/  and then shoot Erin an email so they know to look out for the donation.

You can also follow and support the Teen Clinic on Instagram: wcteenclinic

Thank you so much to Erin for sharing their story with us!!

Thank you for reading the thecuriousclit, my newsletter + podcast where I hope to spark curiosity and conversations about sex and our bodies. To check out more of my writing and embodiment classes for women and gender expansive folks, you can head to https://www.kelseybritt.com.

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