People for the American Way: Reports of State Department Censorship Continue to Surface
Jen Herrick, senior policy analyst for public policy at People for the American Way, highlights a letter sent by People for the American Way and other organizations to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The letter expresses opposition to the reported proposal being considered by the State Department to ban the use of phrases such as “sexual and reproductive health” and “comprehensive sexuality education” by U.S. diplomats and other State Department personnel. The letter states, “Sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights are fundamental to gender equality, as well as women’s, girls’, and young people’s empowerment and decision-making. By banning the use of these terms and support for these vital issues, the U.S. isolates itself and sends the message that advancing an extreme political agenda matters more than the health and rights of individuals and communities around the world” (12/7).