Bethany Gehman

Bethany Gehman, M.Ed., an AASECT certified sexuality educator, has more than seven years of experience in providing sexuality education and professional training. She studied Studio Art, Psychology, and Family & Child Studies at Gallaudet University for her bachelor’s degree. During her teaching years as an art and child development teacher at Texas School for the Deaf, Bethany studied Human Sexuality Education for her master’s degree. Through the experience of studying sexuality education at Widener University, she has worked with many interpreters for her sexuality classes. In 2019, she finally became an AASECT certified (American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists) sexuality educator- the first certified Deaf sexuality educator. Bethany is currently working as Deaf, DeafBlind, & Hard of Hearing Education Program Manager at Family Tree Clinic in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Through her two years of working at Family Tree Clinic, Bethany finds herself working as a Deaf interpreter during her role as a health advocate. This has led Bethany to a realization that she enjoys this work as a Deaf interpreter, especially in healthcare settings. She continued her passion to learn by taking CDI Training in January 2020. Bethany has successfully passed the CDI knowledge exam. Since 2013, Bethany has been providing sexual health education for people of all ages, conducts professional training, and promotes affirming and comprehensive sexuality education in Deaf K-12 residential programs. She also conducts sexuality interpreting training in order for interpreters to provide better access for the Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and LateDeafened communities. She strives to connect with the community through her videos and interactions through her workshops / training. Advocacy and education cannot happen without genuine connections.

Bethany enjoys connecting with new people, being with her family, and gardening. She has a passion for gardening and water coloring.

As a mentor, Bethany’s strengths are providing support for interpreters as they build their confidence with interpreting sexuality. She has an ability to create a comfortable and brave space for interpreters to explore and expand their skills. With a bag filled with numerous experiences, Bethany can provide interpreters various case studies and scenarios for them to analyze and practice their English to ASL and ASL to English interpretation. For ASL to English interpretation, Bethany will provide videos for interpreters to watch to work on their receptive skills. With all of these activities, it is essential for interpreters to understand sexuality. Sexuality is not as simple as one may think. Sexuality covers many aspects of our lives such as intimacy, relationships, vulnerability, body image, self-confidence, boundaries and consent. The mentor, Bethany, will provide some opportunities for interpreters to increase their knowledge in sexuality.