Advocates from across the country urge Congress to prioritize sex ed

For Immediate Release
November 13, 2019

Contact: Zach Eisenstein
Phone: (202) 265-2405 ext 3330
zeisenstein@siecus.org

(Washington, DC) – Today, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change brought more than 50 advocates and activists from 28 states to Capitol Hill to urge their members of Congress to prioritize funding for evidence-based, accurate, comprehensive sex education at the federal level. Samantha Cyrulnik-Dercher, SIECUS’ Federal Policy Director, released the following statement in response:

“We’re talking about sex ed with members of Congress today because we know it can serve as a spark for social change. In a time of social upheaval, when our civil rights are under attack, sex ed presents a unique opportunity to promote gender equity, reproductive justice, and LGBTQ equality, while also shifting our cultural understanding of sexual violence. 

We brought leaders from across the country to Congress today to advocate for two bills that would transform sex ed in this country: the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act and the Youth Access to Sexual Health Services Act. Our members of Congress needed to hear from the people doing this work on the ground, fighting for science-based, inclusive, shame-free sex ed in their own communities — and centering the most marginalized young people in their work.

Sex ed is more than pregnancy prevention and STI awareness. It’s about giving all young people the tools they need to feel empowered, form healthy relationships, and respect the bodily autonomy of themselves and others. It’s about respecting young people’s identities and responding to their real needs — providing them with evidence and support, not perpetuating misinformation and stigmatizing ideologies.

By funding sex ed that is truly comprehensive and increasing access to sexual and reproductive health services, we would be much closer to living in a country where all people have the ability to access and enjoy sexual and reproductive freedom.”

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SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change has served as the national voice for sex education for 55 years, asserting that sexuality is a fundamental part of being human, one worthy of dignity and respect. Through policy, advocacy, education, and strategic communications efforts, SIECUS advances sex education as a vehicle for social change—working toward a world where all people can access and enjoy sexual and reproductive freedom as they define it for themselves.