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MEET LISA SPEIDEL

Educator • Advocate • Author

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Lisa Speidel, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Department at the University of Virginia. She is also a Certified Sexuality Educator (CSE) through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). Dr. Speidel teaches Human Sexualities; Men and Masculinities; Gender-Based Violence; Pleasure Activism; Race and Power in Gender and Sexuality Studies and Intro to Gender and Sexuality Studies.
 
Dr. Speidel’s research focuses on the intersection of gender, race, social class, sexual orientation, ability, multiculturalism and social justice. She started working with these issues through co-teaching Multicultural Education at the University of Virginia School of Education for 11 years. Her involvement with teaching this class led to implementing trainings on diversity and multiculturalism for teachers, administrators, and social services organizations. Her research also includes examining sex education, pleasure, bisexuality, masculinities, intersectionality, and the impact of self-defense training on racial and gender identity. 
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Her previous employment includes Training Coordinator at the Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) in Charlottesville, Virginia for nine years and Sexual and Domestic Violence Services Outreach Coordinator at UVA’s Women Center for three years. She has also taught self-defense classes for the community and credit-based courses at UVA for 30 years. Along with two colleagues, she developed a new self-defense program that focuses specifically on acquaintance assault called R.E.A.L. Self-Defense for Women. 
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Dr. Speidel’s approach to teaching and training is reflective of her overall commitment to social justice and change through education. As she facilitates the learning process, she pays attention to group dynamics and tries to create a supportive environment for all participants, within which they feel safe to take risks. She emphasizes respect in the classroom; both respect from and for the participants as a format to encourage the sharing of their knowledge and experiences, which may be considerably different from her own but may serve as a resource for the intellectual growth of the participants. She does not see her role as a flawless expert, but as someone engaged in reciprocal learning and dialogue with participants. Her approach also includes the promotion of thinking in ways that participants may never have expected and being open to the experience. She believes that participants learn when they engage with the material across different modalities and contexts, and her trainings consist of actively involving participants in experiential application and discussion. 
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About: About

Featured Media

Dr. Lisa Speidel on Bisexuality Beyond Binaries

In this conversation with Dr. Jenny, Lisa Speidel, Ph.D., CSE, unpacks the systems that contribute to bisexual erasure and exclusion. They discuss the intersections of bisexuality with racism, sexism, ableism, and transphobia, as well as the myths, stigma, and mental health disparities bi people often face. Featuring insights from her book Bisexuality Beyond Binaries, this episode is both a call to action and a celebration of bi identity, joy, and visibility.

Dr. Lisa Speidel on Bi+ Identities & What Sex Ed Left Out

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In this episode of Ho Adjacent, Dr. Lisa Speidel joins host Dani for a candid conversation about what’s missing from traditional sex education and why it matters. Together, they unpack the realities of bi+ identities, the stigma bisexual people still face, and the cultural discomfort around comprehensive sex ed. From debunking myths to highlighting inclusive media, this episode is an honest and sex-positive deep dive into the conversations we all should’ve had growing up.

Articles About Dr. Lisa Speidel:

  • "The Pleasure of Knowing a Teacher Like Lisa Speidel"
    by Jordan Coleman, 2025 — Iris Magazine
    Read the article

  • "Award-Winning Teachers Share Their Secrets: ‘Involve Me, and I Learn’"
    by Anne Bromley, 2020 — UVA Today
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  • "Many Angles: Lisa Speidel’s New Book Talks About Happy Sex and More"
    by Elizabeth Derby, 2020 — C-VILLE Weekly
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  • "‘Shout-Out’ From UVA Quarterback Bryce Perkins Shocked UVA Professor"
    by Whitelaw Reid, 2019 — UVA Today
    Read the article

  • "Courses Challenge What It Means to ‘Be A Man’"
    by Anne Bromley, 2017 — UVA Today
    Read the article

Radio and Podcast Interviews:

  • Two Bi Guys Podcast (2024)
    “Bisexuality Beyond Binaries” with Robert Cohen
    Listen here

  • WTJU (2020)
    “The State of Sex Education in America”
    Listen here

  • Why We Theater – Broadway Podcast Network (2020)
    “Usual Girls and Femme Sex and Sexuality” – Part 1
    Listen here

  • Apropos of Something (2018)
    Interview with Dr. Lisa Speidel

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