Sue Johanson, a Trailblazer Who Broke Age and Societal Barriers Around Sex Education, Dies at 93

Sue Johanson, the Toronto-born sex educator whose frankness and humour about sexuality delighted fans of her radio and TV shows for decades, has died. A representative said that Johanson died surrounded by family in a Thornhill, Ont., long-term care home. She was 93.

Born in 1930, Johanson, who originally began a career as a nurse before going back to school to become a sex counsellor and educator, hosted her famous Sunday Night Sex Show as a radio call-in show in the early ’80s. She moved to television in 1985 for a 20-year run on different channels, along with the American version of her show, Talk Sex With Sue Johanson, in the early 2000s. 

Without a doubt Johanson was, in multiple senses, a trailblazer. 

Via her various shows she openly discussed sexual health and pleasure, dispelled myths and spoke about LGBTQ issues at a time when many saw the subjects as taboo, or were simply too shy, or unable, to broach them publicly.

It’s important to note, too, that she was in her mid-50s when she began her media career. As the years went on, Johanson, who was old enough to be the grandmother of many of her young viewers, didn’t just talk about sex. She shattered ageist stereotypes regarding who gets to talk about sex. 

For many, seeing a woman in her 60s or 70s and beyond discuss anything from sex toys to clitoral stimulation, anal sex and penis size proved jarring at first. But her age actually worked in her favour, fostering a sense of trust and authority, while her sincerity, frankness and non-judgemental nature allowed viewers to learn about the vastness of the spectrum of sexuality. 

As a result, she helped prove that age isn’t a barrier to sex or sexual discussion — an attitude that has since entered into popular culture. Take, for example, the three principal stars of the Sex and the City revival And Just Like That… — Sarah Jessica Parker, 58, Kristin Davis, 58, and Cynthia Nixon, 57. All are older than Johanson was when she began her first sex call-in show in her mid-50s. 

Johanson, however, proved shrewd in understanding that her age did make her something of a novelty in her field. She used that fact to her advantage, expanding her visibility by appearing on various late night shows — armed with her handy “Hot Stuff” bag of sex toys — including multiple memorable appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

In a 2003 appearance on O’Brien’s show, Johanson had the host and fellow guests Tom Selleck and pro wrestler The Big Show in hysterics when discussing everything from how to properly test a vibrator to how to make a homemade sex toy from an old can of cat food, a tube sock and some bubble wrap.  

She returned to the show three years later, where she entertained O’Brien and fellow guest Ray Romano with some frank sex talk and demonstrations of two different sex toys. 

Following Johanson’s passing, both her name and the hashtag #SexWithSue began trending on Twitter thanks to an outpouring of tributes from fans. 

“Sad to hear Sue Johanson has died. For Adolescents growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, her Radio/TV show was a much needed resource at the time,” a Twitter user with the handle @ProducerPaulie tweeted.  

@TypeACreative1 tweeted, “If you are of an age, you knew and respected the no-nonsense approach and great, practical sex education advice Sue offered her late night #SexwithSue tv audience during the height of the AIDS crisis and helped confused Toronto teens.”

“Kids today probably have no idea who this is. Many laughed in the ’80s & ’90s BUT, they listened (and learned). #RIP Sue, I hope your crossing over is orgasmic! Sunday nights will  ever be the same. #SexWithSue,” wrote @srollin alongside an image of Johanson.

And @Homegrowngirl2 tweeted, “For those who think we weren’t being taught anything about sex education when we were young, don’t pretend you weren’t tuning in every chance you got. Sue Johanson was real, she was warm, and she taught us everything we needed to know. RIP.”

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