SIECUS statement on the 2018 midterm election results
For Immediate Release
November 7, 2018
Contact: Zach Eisenstein
Phone: (202) 265-2405 ext 3330
zeisenstein@siecus.org
In response to the results of the United States 2018 midterm elections, Samantha Dercher, SIECUS Federal Policy Director, released the following statement:
“The results of last night’s elections were historic. Across the nation, women and young people made their voices heard, electing a new generation of officials who will change the future of our nation for the better.
Last night, we witnessed a series of firsts: the first openly gay male governor, the first Muslim Congresswomen, the first Native American Congresswomen, Massachusetts’ first black Congresswoman, and Texas’ first Latinx congresswomen were elected. And more than 100 women were elected to Congress for the first time in American history.
These newly-elected leaders are coming to office during a pivotal time in our nation’s history. Our democracy requires a commitment to our laws, due process, respect for our civil rights, and accountability in ethical standards from our public servants.
Yesterday, voters across the nation elected state and federal officials who will stand up for these democratic values and defend the foundations of our democracy. From #MeToo to immigration to healthcare, our newly elected leaders will view our nation’s most pressing issues as opportunities for progress and inclusion, not as weapons to sow division and fear.
But while we celebrate a multitude of successes in the House, we are weary of a number of disappointments in the Senate. From Tennessee to Texas to North Dakota and beyond, Republican senators are now in position to add to this administration’s attacks on sexual health and rights and, in particular, access to safe and legal abortion. SIECUS will keep fighting back against anyone who stands between young people and their rights to sexual health information, education, and care.
SIECUS is proud to continue leading the fight for advancing sex education, and sexual and reproductive health and rights overall, in the U.S. We look forward to working with this new class of elected leaders toward a world that sees sex education as a fundamental human right and a building block of social justice.”
###
The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) has served as the national voice for sex education, sexual health, and sexual rights for over 50 years. SIECUS asserts that sexuality is a fundamental part of being human, one worthy of dignity and respect. We advocate for the rights of all people to accurate information, comprehensive sexuality education, and the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health services. SIECUS works to create a world that ensures social justice inclusive of sexual and reproductive rights.
