Sue Johanson dies at 93: How she 'normalized the awkward part of sexuality'
“She was the first in Canada to really talk about sexuality openly on a mass scale," says one expert.
Sue Johanson's work of normalizing sex is still critical following her death at 93.
“She was the first in Canada to really talk about sexuality openly on a mass scale," said Robin Milhausen, a sex educator and associate professor in the Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition at the University of Guelph. "She normalized asking questions."
Sue Johanson's sexual education career and legacy
On Thursday, it was announced that Johanson died on Wednesday night at a long-term care home in Thornhill, Ont.
Johanson was a sexual health advocate and educator since the mid-1900s, but became known as a broadcaster for "Sunday Night Sex Show," a live call-in radio program that began in 1984, and then became a TV show from 1996 to 2005.
On the show, Johanson gave frank and unfiltered advice, and touched on often-taboo topics like STIs, consent and oral sex. From 2002 to 2008, she hosted the U.S. spinoff "Talk Sex With Sue Johanson."
Johanson was also a registered nurse who opened one of Toronto's first birth control clinics, and ran it for two decades — and she received the Order of Canada in 2001.
Johanson 'normalized the awkward part of sexuality'
“She normalized the awkward part of sexuality," Milhausen said. "Sex is not how it is in the movies. She would take the seriousness away from sexuality and allow it to be a topic that was comfortable for people to talk about."
Growing up, and before becoming a sex educator herself, Milhausen said she was one of the many people who listened to Johanson’s radio show.
“I think it's hard for younger people who have grown up with the internet and being able to Google the answer to every single question instantly…to imagine that the public library was the place we had to learn about sexuality,” she said.
"Back in the '90s, we were just all listening to the radio under our pillows."
Years later as an undergraduate psychology student at the University of Guelph, Milhausen said she even had the privilege to cross paths with Johanson.
“I ran into her on the docks of the Wigamog Inn Resorts, and I said to her, you're Sue Johanson, I'm Robin Milhausen, and one day I would love to have your job,” she said.
“All I wanted to do in this world is what she did… give people information and increase their pleasure…She was everything to me at that age, and she was really lovely.”
Johanson also helped shape Milhausen's life and career.
"Sue was so generous with other sexuality educators and professionals. She shared opportunities so openly. She wasn’t at all insecure and she wasn’t trying to keep all the work to herself," Milhausen said. "She wanted there to be as much discussion and information about sexuality as possible."
Social media tributes pour in
The death of Johanson has also drawn condolences and reflections from Canadians across social media who, like Milhausen, saw Johanson as their go-to source for sex education.
“R.I.P. Sue Johanson, without whom so many of us would be a lot stupider about sex than we are,” one person tweeted.
Another said Johanson taught people about more than just sex.
"She taught us about sexuality, relationships, consent, health, and loving our bodies. It wasn’t as cool in the '80s and '90s as it is now," they wrote.
'Critical time' to continue sexual education: Expert
Milhausen said during Johanson's time as a sex educator, she wanted people to be comfortable with their sexuality, regardless of what it was. She did that by talking to thousands of students in high schools, colleges and universities across the country.
"Right now, it continues to be a critical time for us to have conversations that expand our definitions of sexuality and gender,” she added.
Milhausen said that in modern day, there's more stigma and violence against sexual and gender minority individuals than ever before.
Even though now, people have information at their fingertips, Milhausen says “we don’t have acceptance and celebration” of sexual and gender minority individuals.
"That’s really important work that needs to continue.”
Millhausen said that Johanson would want everyone to be happier, healthier and living with less guilt and shame.
“She was just trying to reduce stress, reduce anxiety, reduce uncertainty, and allow people to just celebrate their own sexuality and individuality,” she said.
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