Trump’s New Head of Title X Views Condom Demonstrations in Sex Ed as Sexual Harassment

For Immediate Release
May 18, 2018

Contact: Zach Eisenstein
Phone: (202) 265-2405 ext 333
zeisenstein@siecus.org

Yesterday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Dr. Diane Foley as its new deputy assistant secretary for population affairs—a position that oversees the Title X family planning program. Chitra Panjabi, SIECUS’ President & CEO, released the following statement in response:

“SIECUS is shocked but not surprised by the Trump administration’s latest anti-science, pro-abstinence appointee within HHS. Dr. Foley, who now oversees Title X—the nation’s only federally funded family planning program—has a track record of ignoring and distorting facts in the name of religion.

Foley previously served as the Executive Director of Education for a Lifetime, a Colorado-based abstinence-only-until marriage program, and as CEO and President of Life Network—a web of anti-abortion counseling centers working to ‘cultivate a community that values life through the love of Christ.’

Anyone who perpetuates falsehoods about the safety of abortion as a medical procedure, views a standard condom-and-banana classroom demonstration as ‘sexual harassment,’ and supports withholding information from young people has no business making decisions that affect sexual and reproductive health care for millions.”

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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.