Big Sexy Talk
Highly commended in the Irish Podcast Awards 2023 – Best Sex & Relationships podcast
Do you remember all the family gatherings spent discussing the joys of sex around the dinner table? Or the classes in school where your RE teacher showed you how to put a condom on a demonstrator? No? REALLY! If, like us, you didn’t have those cosy conversations about sex growing up, then this is the podcast for you! Big Sexy Talk is brought to you by Informing Choices NI. It is produced in mini-series format, with each collection of episodes focusing on a different area of sexual and reproductive health. We conduct in-depth interviews with key influencers, and provide information on sexual and reproductive health services. Join us on a journey as we create a culture of openness about sexual and reproductive health and empower people with the information they need to make informed choices. After all this is a sexual health podcast, so it is.
Big Sexy Talk
2.06 (Nick Mathison MLA) - Open conversations: taking the politics out of RSE
This episode features an in-depth interview with Nick Mathison MLA. Nick is an Alliance Party MLA representing the Strangford constituency, and the Chair of the Education Committee in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
During the interview Nick reflects on the messages he received around relationships and sexuality growing up; his views on positive and negative depictions of masculinity; his experiences of working in England; his journey into politics; conversations on sexual health in the workplace; his role on a Board of Governors at a local Primary School; discussions with constituents regarding Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE); the Education Committee’s inquiry into RSE; the role of parents in the teaching of this subject; meaningful engagement with young people; and forming relationships with MLAs from different political parties.
Useful links
Informing Choices NI
Education Committee - RSE Inquiry
NI Assembly - RSE Motion
Legislation
The Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
Research
NIACT Review 2024
A thematic evaluation of the preventative curriculum in schools and EOTAS centres
Relationships and Sexuality Education in Post Primary Schools in Northern Ireland: A Compelling Case for Reform
Any use? report
SSUNI Let Us Learn report
