FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug. 30th, 2023

Contact: Michelle Slaybaugh

mslaybaugh@siecus.org

 

Unleash Love through Education: Celebrating Visionaries at the 2023 Sex Ed Champions and Trailblazers Awards Celebration

 

WASHINGTON, DC – Prepare to witness the groundbreaking contributions of visionary leaders at the 2023 Sex Ed Champions and Trailblazers Awards Celebration, proudly presented by SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change. This event, a highlight of the 2023 Sex Ed on the Hill Convening, showcases the unwavering commitment of advocates for inclusive sex education on a federal, state and community based levels.

Scheduled for September 20th at the Eaton Hotel in Washington, DC, the 2023 Sex Ed Champions and Trailblazers Awards Celebration casts a spotlight on three remarkable individuals whose actions are reshaping the landscape of sex education policy.

 

Federal Sex Ed Champion: U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee 

Renowned for her tireless defense of access to inclusive sexual and reproductive health care, Rep. Barbara Lee stands as an embodiment of leadership. As one of the leading champions of the Real Education and Access to Healthy Youth Act, she’s has led a years-long fight to ignite transformation in sex education policies and empower young minds to make informed decisions about their bodies and health.

 

State Sex Ed Champion: MA Governor Maura Healey

As the first woman and openly gay Governor in Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey knows how important it is for young people to be taught in affirming school environments. In 2023, Governor Healey used her leadership to update the state’s sex education guidelines for the first time in 24 years, to ensure state standards now cover LGBTQ+ health and wellness, mental and emotional health, and personal and dating safety, among other key new learning objectives for Massachusetts students.

 

Sex Ed Community Trailblazer: New Voices for Reproductive Justice 

The award celebrating New Voices for Reproductive Justice reflects their unparalleled dedication to sex education policies in Pittsburgh – and throughout Pennsylvania. Redefining sex education, they’re fostering inclusivity and accessibility. By affirming identities and delivering inclusive education, they’re sparking transformative change within communities and rewriting the narrative around sexual and reproductive health.

This year’s awards reception is a momentous occasion to honor these trailblazers and their unwavering dedication to inclusive sex education. These actions align with SIECUS’ mission: empower youth with the knowledge to lead healthy lives and make informed decisions.

“These awardees aren’t just inspiring figures; they’re change-catalysts in sex education,” affirmed Christine Soyong Harley, President, and CEO of SIECUS. “This event epitomizes the collaborative spirit of the 2023 Sex Ed on the Hill Convening, driving the inclusive and empowering sex education movement nationwide.”

Join advocates, educators, policymakers, and changemakers at the 2023 Sex Ed Champions and Trailblazers Awards Reception, shaping a future where sex education is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Celebrate Rep. Barbara Lee, NE State Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, and New Voices for Reproductive Justice.

 

For tickets and information, visit: https://siecus.info/2023SexEdChampions 

 

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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 power to make decisions about their own health, pleasure, and wholeness.