Experiences of school-based sexuality education among young adult women who have sex with women in German-speaking Switzerland

Women who have sex with women are a sexual minority often omitted from sexuality education curricula and school-based sexuality education. This study aimed to explore the sexuality education experiences of young women who have sex with women in German-speaking Switzerland. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants (aged 18–25 years) and analysed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis resulted in two overarching themes (1) feeling ill-equipped to navigate sexual discovery and sexual health; and (2) recognising missed opportunities for destigmatisation and personal growth in the sexuality education provided. Participants often perceived sexuality education in school as abstract and irrelevant to their personal questions and lived experiences as young women with same-sex attraction. Bodily autonomy and consent in sexual relationships were specifically highlighted as topics that were insufficiently addressed in schools, to the detriment of participants' well-being. Despite this, participants retained a positive overall impression of sexuality education as a subject, emphasising the role that schools can have in normalising sexuality diversity and promoting sexual health. Findings from this study indicate that young women who have sex with women do not feel they receive the education or support from schools to understand their sexual health and advocate for their bodily autonomy.