In response to the growing need for more open and inclusive discussions about sexual health in schools, Karine Glorieux, a teacher at Collège de Maisonneuve in Montreal, compiled First Times, an anthology of stories about first sexual experiences from a diverse group of Montreal writers. Translated from French to English by Shelley Tanaka, this is an inclusive book that remains relevant across cultures.

“I was shocked by how little sexual education my students were getting,” says Glorieux over a video conference. She is joined by contributors Edith Chouinard (author of the story “Hugh Nguyen”), and Schelby Jean-Baptiste (author of the story “My Chouchounette, My Faith and Me”). “It became clear that the formal education system wasn’t addressing the full spectrum of sexual experience,” continues Glorieux, “so I decided to step in.” First Times offers a broader perspective on what constitutes a “first time” in sexual experiences, challenging traditional, heteronormative definitions by including diverse narratives, ranging from queer experiences to self-exploration through masturbation.

First Times
Short Stories About Sex
Edited by Karine Glorieux
Translated by Shelley Tanaka

Groundwood Books
$16.99
paper
178pp
9781779460356

The stories go beyond navigating the awkwardness of first sexual experiences; they are also designed to offer reassurance and comfort. By sharing their personal experiences, the writers encourage readers to reflect on their own journeys with self-acceptance and resilience. “I wanted the stories to provide comfort without sounding like a lecture,” Glorieux says. “The goal was to create a space where readers could find themselves reflected in the stories, while also learning about the diverse experiences of others.” Some stories explore themes like the absence of consent in a first kiss, while others use visual formats – such as spaced-out indentations – to convey physical experiences. One narrative explores multiple “first times” across a woman’s life, touching on everything from her initial attraction to women to her deeper understanding of sexuality and emotional intimacy.

Schelby Jean-Baptiste writes a story that humorously reflects on her teenage infatuation with Trey Songz. The R&B musician served for her as a kind of initial sexual awakening. “I was completely obsessed,” Jean-Baptiste laughs over the call. “But now, not so much. His confidence was a huge part of why I found him attractive back then.” When asked if she felt any hesitation about sharing such personal experiences, Jean-Baptiste explains her initial discomfort. “I was raised in a very Christian household, where even thinking about sexuality was considered taboo,” she says. “Writing about it felt like a huge step, and sharing it with the world was even harder. I was like, girl, are you serious? But I thought about the next generation – those who may not have access to authentic stories. In the age of social media, many young people get different views of sexuality, and I wanted to offer something real and human.”

Olivier Simard’s contribution is particularly notable for its creative approach to writing about intimacy. His opening line, “My erect penis was as squishy and malleable as string cheese, unbreakable as a carbon-fibre hockey stick,” uses humour and vivid imagery to capture the complexity and awkwardness of adolescence. Simard’s story meditates on a secret experience in his parents’ basement – an all too common experience at a young age. Simard’s protagonist stumbles across an adult movie, where he sees a pair of breasts that intoxicate him. Suddenly his penis takes on a feeling he, until that moment, had never experienced before. As he describes it, he suddenly became “in a very big hurry for the commercials to come to an end.” 

While his co-contributors praise Simard for his unique voice, they agree that Nicolas Michon’s story is among the most affecting. His reflection on his first blowjob uses a series of spaced indentations to represent the physical and emotional progression of the experience. In doing so, Michon highlights a certain kind of unspoken nature in sexuality. “The way Nicolas describes the physicality of the moment is incredibly raw and honest,” Chouinard notes in our conversation. 

My conversation with select contributors highlighted that the writing process led many of the writers to reflect on broader societal issues, particularly those surrounding gender expectations. Chouinard shares, “I’ve always been aware of the roles we put on women, but I began to realize that there isn’t a clear model for what it means to be a boy. That’s something I wanted to explore.” She highlights the pros and cons of such an observation. While women do have clear role models growing up, it’s almost to their detriment. They are raised with a rigid set of expectations on how to be, (and that version is almost always demure and shamed in their sexuality). However, Chouinard notes, that is still a model. Men, however, are simply “understood” to have “needs,” and any correlation between what those needs are and their personhood are rarely explored.

First Times is an invaluable resource for educators, counsellors, and anyone working with young people who may be navigating issues of sexual identity, consent, and emotional growth. It serves as an accessible entry point for discussions about sexuality, offering insights into the diverse ways people experience intimacy. By encouraging openness, fostering understanding, and providing critical perspectives, First Times serves as a support for young people as they explore their own sexual development. Glorieux, who views the stories in the collection with deep affection, emphasizes, “These stories made me laugh and cry. I think that’s excellent.” mRb