BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A media storm is brewing around classes on sexuality for young people being offered by the owner of a local sex shop, who’s also a member of the Bellingham School Board.
Jenn Mason has been a member of the board since 2017 and is also the owner of Wink Wink Boutique in downtown Bellingham.
Her store is offering “Uncringe Academy” in August for 9 to 12 and 13 to 17-year-olds.
She says they’ll be “honest, supportive, and inclusive sex education classes” for all kids to “understand this important part of their life.”
Topics include healthy relationships, consent, the science of puberty, and gender and sexual identities.
But she’ll also teach about “sexual anatomy for pleasure and reproduction” and sexual activities.
There’s been a range of reaction on social media, including many who say this is inappropriate material for young people.
But Mason replies that it’s possible and important to talk with kids about sex in age-appropriate and healthy ways.
A spokesperson for Bellingham Schools says Mason’s store and the classes offered there have no connection to the district or any of its schools.