FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 27th, 2025

Contact: Alison Macklin

amacklin@siecus.org

The House and Senate unite to reaffirm support for equitable, affirming sex education nationwide—now more urgently than ever.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 27, 2025 – On May 21st, Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07) reintroduced the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act (REAHYA) (H.R. 3527) during Sex Ed for All Month. A Senate companion bill was reintroduced by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI). This critical bill arrives at a pivotal moment, as unprecedented attacks on comprehensive sex education and young people’s rights are escalating across the country.

“As the Trump administration continues to attack our reproductive rights and bodily autonomy and restricting access to scientifically accurate health information, this legislation is critical to protect and enhance young people’s access to comprehensive, culturally responsive, and equitable sex education,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “REAHYA will equip young people with the necessary tools to make informed decisions about their relationships, sexual health, and overall well-being. This is an important step toward addressing disparities related to race, gender, and sexuality in current sex education programs, while also working to reduce rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.”

First introduced in 2021 and reintroduced in 2023, REAHYA continues to be a cornerstone in the fight for inclusive, age-appropriate, and medically accurate sex education. It seeks to end harmful federal investments in Title V abstinence-only programs and instead channel funding toward comprehensive, evidence-based initiatives that affirm the identities, needs, and autonomy of youth—especially those who are LGBTQIA+, Black, Brown, Indigenous, disabled, immigrant, or living in underserved communities.

“For too long, young people in our country have faced barriers to comprehensive, evidence-informed sex education and access to sexual health services, especially in underserved communities,” said Senator Hirono. “I am proud to reintroduce this legislation to help provide young people with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions regarding their sexual health and to help them develop healthy relationships, while also promoting gender equity and offering education that is inclusive to people of all identities, expressions, and sexual orientations.”

This year’s reintroduction carries increased urgency. Across the country, extremist policymakers are attacking the freedom of young people to access critical information about their bodies, relationships, and health. Misinformation campaigns, book bans, and curriculum censorship threaten to undo decades of progress. In this climate, the call for Sex Ed for All is not just timely—it’s essential.

“Young people need access to comprehensive sex education and sexual health services in order to make informed, responsible, and healthy decisions,” said Senator Booker. “Too many young adults are still receiving outdated and inaccurate information when it comes to making decisions about their sexual health, especially in underserved communities. This legislation aims to ensure sex education and sexual health programs are accessible and inclusive to everyone.” 

Alongside REAHYA, Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) has again introduced House Resolution H.Res.445, officially designating May as Sex Ed for All Month. The resolution elevates awareness of the urgent need for inclusive sex education—free from shame, stigma, and political interference—that equips young people with the tools they need to lead healthy, self-determined lives.

“SIECUS, alongside our congressional champions, calls on public officials at all levels to support legislation that prioritizes accurate, trauma-informed, culturally responsive sex education—and reject the harmful, outdated programs that withhold vital information and perpetuate shame,” said Christine Soyong Harley, President and CEO of SIECUS.

Research consistently shows that comprehensive sex education helps delay sexual activity, increase contraceptive use, reduce rates of unintended pregnancy and STIs, and prevent intimate partner violence. Yet, despite these benefits, millions of young people still receive programs rooted in ideology, not evidence.

“For too long, our country’s sex education and sexual health resources have not met the needs of our young people, especially in underserved communities,” said Congresswoman Adams. “The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act will arm our youth with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions on their bodies and their futures. Together we can work to reduce health disparities in our underserved communities and build a healthier future for generations to come.”

This May, SIECUS and our allies are redoubling our efforts. The reintroduction of REAHYA and the continued recognition of Sex Ed for All Month serve as both a celebration and a call to action. We cannot allow ideologically driven attacks to define the future of sex education. We must act now—to protect young people’s rights, their health, and their futures.

TAKE ACTION

The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act is endorsed by the following organizations: SiX Action, Equality California, Silver State Equality, American Humanist Association, Reproductive Health Access Project, AIDS United, National Council of Jewish Women, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, PWN-USA Ohio, Power to Decide, EducateUS, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, Ipas US, Ibis Reproductive Health, NASTAD, SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, Physicians for Reproductive Health, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, Healthy Teen Network, Reproductive Freedom for All, The Arc of the United States, ACA Consumer Advocacy, National Partnership for Women & Families, ETR, National Network of Abortion Funds, Center for Biological Diversity, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, Advocates for Youth, Guttmacher Institute, Vivent Health, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity.

The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

Contact:
Alison Macklin 

amacklin@siecus.org

###

SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change has served as a leading national voice for sex education since 1964, asserting that sexuality is a fundamental part of being human, one worthy of dignity and respect. Through advocacy, policy, and coalition building, SIECUS advances sex education as a vehicle for social change—where all people receive sex education, are affirmed in their identities, and have the power to make decisions about their own health, pleasure, and wholeness.