We’re gathering for a community conversation in the space between National HIV Testing Day (June 27) and Zero HIV Stigma Day (July 21) to talk about something too often left out of health discussions—sex. Sex is often treated as taboo, yet it’s deeply connected to both mental and physical well-being, and the stigma around it, especially in relation to STIs, can cause real harm. Together, we’ll explore how we as social workers and our surrounding community can shift our language, challenge assumptions, and build safer, more inclusive spaces for honest conversations about sex and sexual health. Join us as we unpack the barriers we face, the biases we carry, and the possibilities we can create.
This is a time for conversation – to share feelings, raise concerns, and talk together as a school community.
With these smaller Community Conversations, our hope is to explore restorative dialogue and build community, creating a space where we are all teachers and learners. We will draw heavily on practices from intergroup dialogue and restorative justice.
University of Michigan
School of Social Work
1080 South University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106