Stephanie Auteri
she/her | Author, Writer | New Jersey, US
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About
Steph Auteri is a journalist who has written about sexuality education for the Atlantic, the Washington Post, VICE, Rewire News Group, and elsewhere. Her site, Guerrilla Sex Ed, is an online resource for parents and other caregivers seeking out alternative sources of sex education because traditional, school-based sex ed has failed them.
Purpose
I've been a journalist for over 20 years and, in the past decade, have shifted my focus to sexuality education. It's a topic I've become increasingly passionate about, and I've attempted to use my journalism work and my personal writing in order to raise awareness about the importance of increased access to comprehensive sexuality education. Which is why I launched Guerrilla Sex Ed. It's an online resource for parents and other caregivers who are seeking out alternative sources of sex education because traditional, school-based sex ed has failed them. On the site, I share info on state-by-state sex ed legislation, advocacy organizations, educational resources, and more.
Expertise
As a writer, my main area of expertise lies in spreading the message that comprehensive sexuality education for ALL is essential. When it comes to educating parents and caregivers directly, my focus is on making those caring adults feel more comfortable having ongoing conversations with their kiddos about sexuality. I also sometimes collaborate with sexuality professionals, helping them with their books, academic papers, blog posts, and more. So for those who don't count writing among their strengths, I'm your gal! Plus, I have taught/coached about the business of freelance writing and am always available to demystify the publishing process for those professionals who want to strike out with their own writing.
Books
Dirty Word: How a Sex Writer Reclaimed Her Sexuality
A beautiful and hilarious mixture of cultural essays and poignant personal stories, A Dirty Word shines a light on what it’s like to feel broken, only to realize that there is no right way to be sexual. From her earliest sexual experiences, Auteri felt there must be something wrong with her. As an adult, her career in sex writing was meant to be a type of shock therapy–a way to fix her “sexual dysfunction.” But her career, exciting as it was, could not provide a roadmap through her struggles with a low libido, painful sex, fertility problems, negative self-image, marriage woes, and the aftermath of sexual assault.