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10 Sex-Positive Candidates To Look For In The 2018 Midterm Elections

Noteworthy candidates who view human sexuality as more than the act itself, but also a potential mechanism for power and change.

Tatyannah King

Oct 15, 2018

UNC Greensboro

10 Sex-Positive Candidates To Look For In The 2018 Midterm Elections

There has been another shift in current American history in regards to sexual politics up to the point where there are visible parallels to the sexual revolution in the 1960s. Now people are embracing sexual liberation again. There's a new wave of sex-positive promotion that encourages a holistic view of sex and sexuality. Though it's not a term normally used in politics, there are still certain issues that coincide with the movement. Picking a candidate who holds sex-positive beliefs can help ensure that there is justice for sexual assault and domestic abuse survivors, rights for the LGBTQ community, recognition of intersectional feminism, expansion of accurate sex education, security for reproductive rights, and more! Here are 10 sex-positive candidates to look out for in the 2018 midterm elections:

1. Ayanna Pressley (Massachusetts, 7th district, Democrat)

Long before the #MeToo movement, Pressley held hearings in order to improve policies of sexual assault on college campuses. Having gone through an experience with sexual assault herself at the age of 19, she stated that "it's imperative that colleges foster an environment where students feel comfortable coming forward."

2. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York, 14th district, Democrat)

Many know of her as the candidate who could potentially be the youngest woman ever to be elected into Congress. However not many are aware of her values of intersectionality and inclusion of rights for ALL women. On her website she clearly states that she "wants to create a society in which women—which includes Black women, Native women, poor women, immigrant women, disabled women, Muslim women, lesbian queer and trans women—are free and able to care for and nurture their families in safe and healthy environments free from structural impediments."

3. Ilhan-Omar (Minnesota, 5th district, Democrat)

She has expressed concern about discrimination of the LGBTQ community via her Twitter account. She hopes to ban conversion therapy and pass anti-bullying legislation.

4. Kathy Manning (North Carolina, 13th district, Democrat)

Manning advocates for protecting access to health care among women as well as promoting equal economic opportunities.

5. Katie Hill (California, 25th district, Democrat)

Hill is openly bisexual, and hopes to give a voice to the LGBTQ community be heard by protecting equality. She also stands up for the rights of reproductive freedom for women.

6. Lauren Underwood (Illinois, 14th district, Democrat)

Underwood has expressed her disapproval of the recent bill that has stripped funding of public schools that do not adhere to teaching of abstinence based only sex education. She desires to provide teenagers with the tools they need in order to make safe decisions about sex without being pressured into one option. She also disapproves of discrimination of transgender people in the military.

7. Beto O'Rourke (Texas, 16th district, Democrat)

O`Rourke has already made specific steps in order to enhance our education system regarding accurate and comprehensive sex education. He is one of the sponsors of the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act which not only provides teachers with training on sex education but outlaws funds that go toward sex education that withholds information about HIV and scientific evidence regarding sexual activity.

8. Jared Polis (Colorado, 2nd district, Democrat)

Polis is one of the lead sponsors of the Student Non-Discrimination Act which helps fights against intolerant acts against those due to their sexual orientation or gender identity and the Responsible Education About Life Act which gives grants to school systems in order for students to receive sex education includes information on both abstinence and contraception.

9. Kevin De León (California, 24th district, Democrat)

Legislative voting records show that he has been consistent in his efforts to prohibit sexual conversion therapy and alleviate mental repercussions of discrimination based on sexual orientation.

10. Angus King (Maine, 2nd district, Independent)

Voting records show that he was in favor of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act which created methods to improve justice for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. He also signed in favor of funding family planning clinics in order for clients of low-income communities to receive regular pap smears, mammograms, and STD testing.

With that said, let me make one thing crystal clear. By no means am I saying that upholding a sex-positive ideology is the only thing you should look for within a potential candidate. Other issues concerning war, gun violence, systematic racism, economy, homeland security, and employment are still hard-hitting issues that everyone should take into account when voting next month. However, a candidate who has a more holistic approach about sex can further give you an idea about how they'll choose to dismantle a broken system.

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10 Sex-Positive Candidates To Look For In The 2018 Midterm Elections

Noteworthy candidates who view human sexuality as more than the act itself, but also a potential mechanism for power and change.

1. Ayanna Pressley (Massachusetts, 7th district, Democrat)

2. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York, 14th district, Democrat)

3. Ilhan-Omar (Minnesota, 5th district, Democrat)

4. Kathy Manning (North Carolina, 13th district, Democrat)

5. Katie Hill (California, 25th district, Democrat)

6. Lauren Underwood (Illinois, 14th district, Democrat)

7. Beto O'Rourke (Texas, 16th district, Democrat)

8. Jared Polis (Colorado, 2nd district, Democrat)

9. Kevin De León (California, 24th district, Democrat)

10. Angus King (Maine, 2nd district, Independent)

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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