Raising sexual health issues

I often get asked by workers. "How do you bring up sexual health issues with young people?"
Its a funny question to me. Its a bit like asking how do you bring up car issues with car enthusiasts, or cooking issues with food enthusiasts, or any other issue with any other enthusiast.
Most people it seems are sexuality enthusiasts. Many people have something to say on the subject. Most of the time all it takes is you giving permission for people to discuss sex, sexuality and sexual health. Instead of shutting a young person down by stifling the conversation how about finding ways to open up the conversation - find ways to give permission. Ahhhhh so how do you give permission?
Often its as easy as asking what someone thinks about something. Maybe something like HHmm I saw on Luds blog that there is a group for gay surfers. What do you thnk about that?
or it could be something like " "I have had other people in your situation talk about thier medication and how it effects thier enjoyment of sex - what do you reckon?
I'm sure you can think of many permission giving statements. Its not so much what is said, but more that something is being said.
Beginning to talk about sexuality is much like beginning to talk about any other subject. The more you talk the more you learn. The more you learn the more you are able to pass on what you know.
Sexuality doesnt belong in the dark. I for one am going to shine a bright light on sexual health and begin the conversations. Wish me luck!