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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