Media

For Immediate Release:
September 28, 2004

Contact: Adrienne Verrilli
at: 212-819-9770 x325

Issues Ignored in Presidential Race Need to be Addressed in the Upcoming Debates

New York, NY - As empty rhetoric, negative advertising, and daily polling data dominate the 2004 presidential race, critical sexual and reproductive health and rights issues, with the exception of stem cell research, have by-in-large been ignored. Abortion rights, family planning, sexuality education, and the HIV/AIDS pandemic have taken a back seat in this election and they do not belong there.

The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S. (SIECUS) is proud to announce the release of "21 Questions For Your Candidates." This guide provides key questions to help determine where the candidates stand on these important issues.

"The presidential candidates' positions on sexual and reproductive health and rights must be clearly laid-out to the American people. The policy and judicial decisions the next president will make during the next four years will have tremendous implications for the real lives of real people for years to come," said Joseph DiNoricia, interim President and CEO of SIECUS. "We think '21 Questions' will be a useful tool to help people identify where the candidates stand on these important issues and help them make an informed decision come November 2," DiNorcia continued.

"21 Questions" addresses the following issues:

Abstinence-Only-Until Marriage Programs
Sexuality Information and Key Prevention Strategies
HIV/AIDS
Reproductive Rights and Choice
Family Planning
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights
Research and Development

To view "21 Questions For Your Candidates" go to: http://www.siecus.org/21_questions.pdf

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