Our Team

Heather Corinna: Founder and Co-Director (they/them)illustration of Heather Corinna (2018) by Isabella Rotman

Heather is an activist, writer, artist, teacher and community organizer. Heather has been widely recognized as a pioneer of queer⁠, women’s and young adult sexuality information and education online, having brought inclusive, feminist, original and comprehensive sexuality content to the web and beyond since 1997. Heather is the author of S.E.X: The All-You-Need-To-Know Sexuality Guide to Get You Through Your Teens and Twenties (DaCapo Press, 2007, 2017), now in its second edition, Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up (Oni Press, 2019), with Isabella Rotman, for older middle readers and younger teens, and What Fresh Hell Is This? Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities and You – A Guideexternal link, opens in a new tab (Hachette, 2021). They are also the founding and current sexuality chair at Our Bodies, Ourselves Todayexternal link, opens in a new tab.

Heather has been a sexuality, contraception⁠ and abortion⁠ educator and counselor for the Cedar River Clinicsexternal link, opens in a new tab/Feminist Women’s Health Centerexternal link, opens in a new tab, and the director of the CONNECTexternal link, opens in a new tab teen outreach and education program in Seattle which served transient/homeless youth, reproductive health patients, high school and college students and others. Heather is a previous member of the editorial board for the American Journal of Sexuality Education and the Board of Directors for NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, a writer and contributing editor for the 2011 edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves.

Heather has won numerous awards, including The Champions of Sexual Literacy Award for Grassroots Activism from the National Sexuality Resource Center/SFSU in 2007; in 2009 the winner of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, Western Region’s Public Service Award and the Our Bodies, Ourselves’ Women’s Health Heroes Award. In 2012, the Joan Helmich Educator of the Year award, and in 2013, The Woodhull Foundation’s Vicki Award, for affirming sexual⁠ freedom as a fundamental human right. In 2015, Heather received the Steinem-Waters Award, given to a movement leader over 30 who has exhibited a consistent investment in developing young people in the field of reproductive justice, as well as the Golden Brick Award, recognizing their significant contributions to the field of sexuality education in the Untied States. They were also a lead plaintiff in the ACLU vs. Gonzales case, arguing against the Child Online Protection Act (COPA), which could have removed young adults⁠’ access to needed sexuality information, and Heather’s work with Scarleteen – and the import of our service – helped secure an important win for the case.

Their work at Scarleteen and in sexuality education and activism has hailed acclaim or attention from numerous publications, including The New York Times, the Utne Reader, the City Pages, Alternet, The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, The Industry Standard, The Chicago Tribune, CNN, The Chicago Tribune’s RedEye, The Chicago Reader, The Nation, Feministing, The Minnesota Women’s Press, The Boston Phoenix, Ms. Magazine, Bust, Bitch, The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Oxygen Network, Yahoo!, Lavender Magazine, and more. Heather has been quoted in many articles and books about sexuality, appeared on radio shows, and has lectured and given workshops and trainings at many youth and adult conferences, colleges, schools, clinics, bookstores and other community gatherings.

Their essays, fiction, poetry and artwork have appeared in their own publications as well as in publications like Teen Vogue, The Guardian (UK), RH Reality Check (now Rewire) Issues Magazine, PIF Magazine, Maxi Magazine, Women’s Studies; An inter-disciplinary journal; in the anthologies Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and A World Without Rape, Viscera, The Adventures of Food, Aqua Erotica, Zaftig: Well-Rounded Erotica, The Mammoth Book of Best New Erotica 1 & 2, Shameless: An Intimate Erotica and Penthouse. Heather’s work has been used in a number of university, school and clinic curricula.

Heather was previously an early childhood classroom educator, taught in the Montessori method (AMS), and created and ran an independent preschool from 1992 - 1996. A graduate with honors of Chicago’s Academy for the Arts, where they studied music and creative writing, Heather won a National Academy of Poets award in her teens. They continued their education at Shimer College, then later studied at the Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center. Heather is also trained as a facilitator for Teen Talking Circlesexternal link, opens in a new tab.

Heather is navigating middle age with as much grace as they can muster (not much), and currently lives in their hometown of Chicago, occupied, unceded land of the Council of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa & Potawatomi, and other tribes. When not working themselves into an early grave, they can be found playing with their dogs, hiking, communing with nature, making music, hanging out⁠ with their partners, friends and other chosen family and crafting tasty vegetarian delights while crooning tunes from 70’s AM gold.

Jacob Mirzaian: Co-Director (they/them)potratir of Jacob

Jacob has been a loooong time Scarleteen volunteer (since 2007!), graphic designer and advice counsellor and now Lead Developer, combining their two great passions; supporting young people and fixing technical problems.

Jacob cut their teeth in queer, disability, feminist and LGBT⁠+ student activism, during their BEng in Architectural Engineering at the University of Leeds. They have since taken various roles in youth work, teaching, sexual health outreach, healthcare communication⁠, medical education and web design. Jacob currently works as a TA in special education during the day and spends evenings fixing bugs and preparing upgrades for Scarleteen’s website. When there’s time they love a good building project and long cosy naps with their cat Lilith. You can find more of their work at jarzaian.comexternal link, opens in a new tab, although circa 2021 it needs a bit of an update to include more recent work.

The Rest of Our Gobsmackingly Awesome Volunteer and Staff Team:

Scarleteen Team Camp, 2018: left to right: Eli, Alice, Heather, Ruby, Sam, Chlöe, Siân, Mo, Jacob, Al.

Amber started their sexual health advocacy journey while studying sociology in Indiana. With a newly changing abortion landscape and growing state censorship, she found her passion through grassroots sex⁠ and reproductive advocacy. With experience in local and national sex education, they are excited to be working with Scarleteen users and the rest of the team.

Andy, Central-European division of the volunteer team, found Scarleteen as a confused and curious teenager. The compassion, understanding and information they found there were so lifechanging that they never left after that and eventually their dream came true and they could become part of the team and help with making other users feel the same. They are currently studying medicine and in their free time can be found reading, tending to their plants, playing various instruments or crocheting.

Anya is a queer artist and student sex researcher from the West Coast studying human sexuality and behavior. Anya was the top⁠ student on their sex⁠ ed class honor roll in high school under a curriculum that used Heather Corinna’s sex ed textbook S. E. X., and in undergraduate, they created their own self-led interdisciplinary program complete with an international qualitative research project on global perspectives on sex education. Anya is currently studying for their MA in Gender and Sexuality Studies in London. Outside the glorious world of sex ed, Anya manages house at two all-ages non-profit music venues, and is a professionally published concert photographer. Anya loves bad zombie movies, heavy metal and kittens.

aurora is a lifelong learner in work and life. As an educator, her goal is to empower kids to listen to their bodies, ask questions about norms, and encourage community. These are all natural inclinations young kids have! She uses those inclinations to facilitate conversations about real-world issues in developmentally appropriate ways. Currently, aurora is working through a graduate program for occupational therapy. She owes her growth to Hilo, where she was raised, Poughkeepsie, where she began her own empowering, Huichin, where she started teaching formally, and Tacoma, where she lives now.

Becky has known she wanted to be a sex educator since she was a teenager. She decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Women’s and Gender Studies during college and then went on to receive a Master’s of Education in Human Sexuality. (If she had more money she’d go get a PhD in Sexuality Studies but alas. Any wealthy patrons out there?) She is a lifelong learner and researcher hobbyist, which is why she loved studying sexuality so much! Because you can approach it through any field of study and from any philosophy. There is always something new to learn about! Most of Becky’s professional career has been as a video editor or social media manager and she is excited about using her creative skills to create accessible, engaging, and educational content for Scarleteen’s users. When Becky is not working, you can most likely find her snuggled up with her two cats while reading a book (and let’s be honest, it’s probably a smutty romantasy novel.)

Charis (pronounced CHA-rees) believes there’s no shame in being a jack of all trades — because they are one. When not providing comprehensive sex ed at Scarleteen, they’re either doing admin stuff, proofreading news articles, or seeking new opportunities as a Learning & Development officer. Ultimately, they wish to participate in creating a kinder, more understanding world for everyone. Beyond xyr professional life, Charis is a Jakarta-based poet, writer, and yapper. As an autistic person xemself, xe’s also into disability advocacy, blasting xyr monthly playlist, collecting silly animal plushies, and tarot reading. One thing’s for sure: xe never forgets to pat the tummy of xyr orange cat, Tommy, every single day. 

Hannah is a writer and editor by day and an aspiring sex educator by night. She stumbled upon Scarleteen as a young teenager passionate about feminism and reproductive rights⁠, and is thrilled to have the chance to return as a volunteer. In her remaining free time, Hannah is a voracious reader, especially of science fiction, and also enjoys making thematic music playlists, cooking, and picking up cool rocks.

Kier is a sex educator, activist, and abortion companion living in Chicago, IL. They received their Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Chicago, where they realized their passion for queer sex education and desire⁠⁠ to become a sex therapist. A lover and a fighter, Kier uses their passion for research, writing, and artmaking to advocate for the safety and liberation of all bodies. When they’re not volunteering at Scarleteen, you can find them exploring their community, sculpting/painting, and analyzing reality TV shows.

Hi, my name is K-Leigh Cousins and I like computers! I am the Tech Lead at Scarleteen and work to keep everything on the sites running smoothly. I am located in Chicago, and am desperately in love with The Bean. When I’m not working on Scarleteen’s site, I’m typically found reading a good book with a cup of tea or playing a videogame and chatting with some friends.

Latha is a student from India. She learned a lot of what she knows about sex education from Scarleteen, so she is very happy to support them by working with their direct services. In her free time, she likes to read and embroider.

Scarleteen Staff: 2016 Camp

Scarleteen Team Camp, 2016: left to right, back row: Al, Karyn, Sam, Mo, Casey; middle: s.e., Isabella, Jenn, Heather, Ashleah; front: Jacob. 

Maille hopes to be an advocate for others in all that she does. Currently pursuing a degree in Public Health Education, she uses her knowledge and lived experiences to help others. Whether she is hosting workshops on intimate partner⁠ violence, receiving grants for community contraceptives, or doing direct services here at Scarleteen depends on the day. When not pursuing world domination, Maille enjoys taking her pup on walks, mixing up mocktails and making dinner with her roommate.

Mikky is so happy to be here! They graduated with a BA in Sexuality, Gender, and Queer studies in 2024, and focused their studies on reproductive justice, media, and youth. Mikky’s titles and accolades include longest armpit hair in Portland, Oregon (uncontested), endometriosis-haver, prom queen, children’s book collector, most words read in 6th grade, and biological dog mother.

Ro Sandoval is the social media manager here at Scarleteen and currently a Master’s student in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at San Diego State University. Before this career endeavor in the mental health field, they earned a Master’s degree in Neuroscience at the University of California, San Diego and spent many years prior working as a researcher in the field. Through their training as a researcher, they’ve gained insight on how the brain plays a major role in most things related to sex, including desire and development. Ro is also a certified yoga instructor and a student of yoga themselves. With everything they offer to others, they hope to cultivate spaces, whether in-person or online, that allow people to tap into their bodies and (re)connect with themselves. They see their work at Scarleteen as a conduit to incorporate all their interdisciplinary knowledge about mental and sexual health into digestible and accessible content and resources. To gather energy, Ro spends time making creations of all sorts with their hands, tending to the garden they share with their partner, sending personalized Spotify playlists to their friends, spending time with nature, and practicing yoga.

s.e. smith is a Northern California-based journalist, essayist, and editor with a social justice⁠ focus and beats including labor, disability, gender⁠, death and dying, and animal welfare. smith’s cultural criticism and reported features have appeared in publications such as the Washington Post, Time, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Esquire, and Vice, in addition to anthologies, most recently Disability Intimacy (Vintage, 2024). smith received a National Magazine Award in 2020 for work in Catapult Magazine. smith is also a cofounder and worker-owner of The Flytrapexternal link, opens in a new tab, a journalism collective of feminist cultural critics. 

Sofi decided she wanted to be a sex educator back in high school. She grew up in Costa Rica but studied Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Maryland, where she first got involved with Scarleteen as an intern back in 2020. She’s currently a Sexualities content expert for Our Bodies Ourselves Todayexternal link, opens in a new tab, and a freelance interpreter. Her main areas of interest are disability and neurodivergence, and sexuality across cultures. In her free time she likes to collect hobbies, hang out with her cats, and play cozy video games.

Tara is passionate about educating and mentoring others on body, gender-specific, health, and mental health issues. By day, she is a marketing manager for a health care company and helps to develop clinical and behavioral health training materials for health and mental health care providers. She is working to get her masters and license as a clinical mental health counselor to work specifically with gender-related, body/food, and sexual violence issues using a trauma⁠-informed care approach. She enjoys volunteering for Scarleteen to help communicate about these issues and help those in need. Tara enjoys reading, crafting, coloring, journaling, and learning about topics of interest in her free time. She has a particular interest in plant biology (especially poisonous plants and fungi), ecology, green witchery, psychology, mythology, and feminism. She enjoys learning about how the natural world can help with healing trauma and other mental health issues. Her comic book hero is Poison Ivy for her astute knowledge of the plant world and mastering its green power and poisonous functions!

Beyond being incredibly valuable to us, our young adult volunteers also get experience of value to them by volunteering at Scarleteen. Here’s what a few of them have to say about it:

Scarleteen has been my virtual home-away-from-home for the past six years and counting, throughout many physical moves and positive life changes. I came for the information – accurate, up-to-date, all-inclusive, and sex-positive – and stayed for the community – warm, welcoming, and worldly. It’s currently about commitment for me – I volunteer because, as I’ve said before, Scarleteen completely revolutionized the way I view sex and sexuality. Now I seek to help others feel that same sense of empowerment.

I like volunteering because I just freaking love it here. More specifically, I love the community aspect of it, the feeling that if all of us volunteers managed to get together in person, we’d probably stay up all night sharing stories, having awesome conversations, and laughing. It’s also nice to know that I am far from the only person who cares about the issues we address here. I also love that I learn something new. Every. Single. Day. Whether it’s a new fact, a new way of explaining something that makes it easier to understand, or a new perspective on something, I learn something every time I’m here.

I’ve also gotten started on a pretty awesome career because volunteering here helped me figure out what I was interested in, but that’s just an added bonus, really.

I’m volunteering because Scarleteen’s ethos of providing feminist, queer-positive, sex-positive and inclusive sex education to youth is what I’m passionate about, what I love to study, and what I need. I don’t have access to any other public space where my whole sexual, messy, queer, curious self is encouraged and supported. By volunteering, I’m able to connect with like-minded others who believe that every human being has the fundamental right to honesty, knowledge, care and pleasure. Even though this is an online service, knowing that I am part of a shared project gives me the confidence to carry these conversations and this activist work into my day-to-day life.

Other Contributors

Our director and several other members of our general staff have created our written content, but we have also benefitted from a fantastic freelance team.  You can check out a list of everyone who has written for us over the years here.

We also often ask respected supporters, friends and colleagues to look something over for a second opinion or additional information we need, or for consult with some part of the website or organization. Following is a list of some of the individuals we’d like to recognize and acknowledge for their help, advice and support over the years in this capacity:

Special recognition is due to Hanne Blank, who has been advising us on Scarleteen right from the start, and who played a big role with development of the site from its inception.

Other Credits

A huge shout-out to the magnificent Garrett Coakleyexternal link, opens in a new tab, developer extraordinaire and dear friend, for his generous help building the first Drupal version of Scarleteen, which was a Herculean task. Shouts also out to longtime techdev team member Casey Faber, the Agile Collectiveexternal link, opens in a new tab, and the open source Drupal community and volunteers. The current version of Scarleteen is still fueled by the open source platform Drupalexternal link, opens in a new tab.

Illustrations of Heather, Sam and Jacob are all © Isabella Rotman