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Michelle's Blog

I think young people should show our policy makers that we're ready, willing and proud to take responsibility for our sexual well-being, and that sexual health is not a taboo subject, but just a part of our comprehensive well-being.

Hello from Ohio! My name is Michelle. I am 23, and a graduate of Ohio State University. I am first generation American of Indian and Arab descent. Thank you for visiting my bio!

I grew up in a time when it was still normal for natives of my background to participate in arranged marriages, and the women were expected to ‘wait’ until marriage. On top of having a background rooted in two conservative cultures that valued virginity in females, I was also raised as a Christian. Needless to say, no one in our family talked about sex when I was growing up. I was raised so strict that I even found it uncomfortable to watch kissing scenes in Disney cartoons!

Luckily for me, I had comprehensive sex education when I was in middle school. I found the topic incredibly intriguing, as it was never discussed at home or church. I am incredibly grateful for this learning experience and years later I feel that this class was instrumental to my tolerance, open-mindedness and attitude of empowerment I believe all women should all possess about our health!

My passion for this field grew when I found myself in college; I was in disbelief over how much more I knew than my peers who attended school in districts that had inadequate sex education programs. It showed me that a lot of bright young adults still have misconceptions about sexual health, and that the use of education in this area could have life-saving capabilities. After this realization, I sought out opportunities where I could both learn more about and participate in prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. 

The biggest ‘perk’ of volunteering in this field is the outlet it gives me for my goofy personality. From co-hosting STI Jeopardy in a giant room of undergrads to doing a safe sex presentation on Halloween night in the dorms of OSU while most of the audience was in costume, I’ve had so many great memories of experiencing and introducing humor into the serious topic of sexually transmitted infections. I have found a lot of my peers in this field have the same sort of humorous personality—a must when you normally approach of groups of complete strangers about a topic that people do not regularly discuss in public!

I am hoping that this experience will help me develop into a better advocate for sexual health issues. I would like to learn what issues are relevant to our generation and how to prevent our children from inheriting these challenges. I think young people should show our policy makers that we're ready, willing and proud to take responsibility for our sexual health, and that it should not be regarded as a taboo subject, but just a part of our comprehensive well being. I cannot wait to see where my involvement with Advocates for Youth takes me! Remember, I am here for you, as a resource, as a supporter and as a sistah!


Contact Michelle

Michelle's Blog

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