SIECUS Hosts Annual Sex Ed on the Hill

SIECUS Hosts Annual Sex Ed on the Hill

Washington, DC – On September 20-21, SIECUS hosted its annual Sex Ed on the Hill Convening and Advocacy Day. The two-day event focuses on skills building, information sharing, and Capitol Hill visits regarding Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE). This year’s convening hosted attendees from over 25 states. Participants included sex educators, advocates, parents, state officials, activists, and other change makers. 

During the convening, attendees were taught new messaging to counter dangerous misinformation campaigns. 

During the advocacy day, attendees met with the congressional offices on the importance of CSE. Attendees advocated for the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act (REAHYA) which would require Sex Education to be LGBTQAI+ inclusive, medically accurate, gender affirming, age appropriate, and be uniform across the nation. Additionally, attendees advocated for increased federal funding for the CDC Division of Adolescent Sexual Health (DASH) and the permanent elimination of “Sexual Risk Avoidance” (or abstinence-only-until-marriage) programs. 

After holding more than 40 meetings with elected officials from both sides of the aisle, additional members of Congress have signed on to join over 80 congressional co-sponsors in support of REAHYA. 

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SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change has served as the national voice for sex education for almost 60 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.