Anyone who had to live through high school health class or who didn’t get a comprehensive queer sex education will be happy to hear that the popular, queer-friendly Netflix series Sex Education has been renewed for a second season. The British show tells the story of high schooler Otis who starts a secret sex clinic at his high school, where he doles out advice to straight and queer couples alike. The show is on track to be one of Netflix’s most popular shows ever. According to their quarterly earnings statement, Sex Education has been viewed more than 40 million times since its release in January.
#SexEducation has been renewed for Season 2! Eight new episodes are coming pic.twitter.com/8DdPvOdAok
— Queue (@netflixqueue) February 1, 2019
Sex Education has been especially popular with the queer community because of the non-stigmatizing way it deals with gender and sexuality. NBC News reports that even today less than 50% of students receive any sort of sex ed that covers queer sexual health, and even when LGBTQ issues are discussed in sex it, it may be in a way that stigmatizes LGBTQ students. This lack of accurate, meaningful information about queer sexuality makes the show even more important and timely.
Scott Turner Schofield, a transgender performer, author and educator told NBC News, “Watching the show, I’m filled with joy for the LGBTQ youth audience, who don’t see themselves at all, never mind possibilities for their sexual choices, represented anywhere.” Schoefield continued, “I know these young viewers have such a bigger shot than I ever did at approaching their sexuality, knowing they are not the only one who feels this way, and finally with some semblance of a roadmap (a start, at least) for how to make healthy choices,” Schofield said. “This is where representation really, really matters, and I’m grateful to ‘Sex Education’ for doing it right and well.”
If you haven’t caught the first season, it is available on Netflix now. Season Two is expected out early next year.
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