A Space to Be

Silvia Beltran, a health professional working in Digital Sex Education en Español at Planned Parenthood, boldly speaks on the importance of unlearning harmful beliefs around sex, consent, pleasure, relationships, and learning how to own your sexual freedom as a Latina.

Learn more about Tone at TuSigues.org.

For more information on everything sexual health, visit plannedparenthood.org/learn.

“A Space to Be” was composed by The Phronetic with guidance from sound healer Reina Prado. Follow The Phronetic and Reina on Instagram at @thephronetic and @healingqueen_.

Transcript

Hola linda 

I'm so happy you're here. 

I know it is not always easy to create space for yourself in our community.  

Por un lado, you’re trying to set an example for your family and meet all of their needs. 

Por otro lado, you’re figuring out what pleasurable sex and healthy relationships look like, 

All while trying to unlearn the myths and harmful examples you’ve seen throughout your life.

Communicating different values with family, friends, and partners 

can feel like speaking totally different languages.

It doesn’t leave you space to feel seen, heard, and loved.  

It’s so easy to put everyone before you.   

Especially como mujeres Latinas — we’re expected to be 

The mother figure for your cousins

Dutiful whenever Mami or Papi needs something.

And always available

Estás ahí para todo, por todos, menos por ti.

Let’s create some safe boundaries for you. 

They can start small and look like anything.

Putting your phone on DND for an hour a day.

Masturbating to get to know your body and find out what excites you.

Letting your partner know when you feel upset or unheard.

Telling them what you like and what you don’t when having sex, 

And feeling completely okay with changing your mind about it all tomorrow. 

Your boundaries are yours and they can change depending on how you change.

Let me say that again: YOUR BOUNDARIES ARE YOURS.

Be true to your needs

And always honor them. 

I know it’s easier said than done. 

Especially when the guilt kicks in

Tu familia se ha sacrificado tanto para asegurarte el futuro. 

But you still deserve the right to live your life, freely. 

It’s yours. 

And when you rise, your family rises too.

Talking about the things you want in the bedroom, in your relationship, or with anyone in your life is the only way to get there.

And honoring your needs and establishing boundaries 

are the foundation of healthy relationships. 

With partners, families, and your whole community.

Take up all the space you need, 

Give yourself the room to grow as much as you need to, 

and be unafraid to become the person of your dreams.