On Wednesday, July 30, 2014, the organizations Advocates for Youth, Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE), National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), and Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity (URGE) hosted an Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill entitled, "Sex and Politics in the Capital City." As the conclusion of a summer-long lunch series of sexual and reproductive health justice issues, this was a great outlet for our newly learned knowledge and advocacy skills.  Although unrelated to my internship at the Forum, this was definitely a highlight of my time in DC.

Congressman Ami Bera and Forum Intern Micha Zheng

The two bills we were lobbying for included the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act [REHYA, S. 372/H.R. 725], and the Global Sexual and Reproductive Health Act of 2013 [H.R. 3206]. Because of my involvement with domestic public health and healthy policy, I focused on REHYA during our visits.

REHYA was introduced in February 2013 by the late Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA).  The bill's main provisions set forth a policy vision for federally-funded comprehensive sexual health education.  This would authorize funding for sex ed programs for adolescents and young people in college, as well as support teacher training for our nation's sex educators.  At a minimum, programs would include inclusive and medically-accurate information about abstinence, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/HIV, healthy relationships, self-esteem, decision making, sexual assault, bullying, and harassment.

We started the day bright and early with a training on how to perform successful advocacy visits, including the following steps:

1. Identify yourself and the group you represent: "My name is Micha Zheng, and I am with the advocacy group organized by Advocates for Youth, CHANGE, NMAC, and Urge."
2. Be prepared to control the meeting: "I would like to talk to you about the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act."
3. State your position clearly: "This bill would aid in curtailing the epidemic of sexually transmitted infections, HIV, bullying, and teen pregnancies in American youth."
4. Ask specific questions: "Will you, Representative/Senator _________, co-sponsor H.R. 725/S. 372?
5. Provide information: "The United States has one of the highest teen birth rates in the developed world.  Out of the 400,000 teens that give birth each year, 50% of them are not on birth control, and 31% of them do not believe they can become pregnant.  Despite making up only 1/4 of the sexually active population, one in four sexually active teens contract an STI each year.  People of color are disproportionately affected by these epidemics."
6. Follow up: "I'd like to give you this leave-behind document, which includes contact information and an outline of this bill's main provisions."
7. Debrief with your organization: We discussed the meeting within groups and by filling out reflection forms.

Advocates Rebecca Crawford, Melissa Torres-Montoya, Sarah Sterling, Senator Barbara Boxer, Forum Intern Micha Zheng (L to R)

I was able to meet and speak with my district's representative, Congressman Ami Bera of Sacramento County.  He and his staffer were both incredibly understanding to our concerns of lacking sex ed in our public school systems, and seemed excited to speak to a constitutent.  Having attended both middle school and high school in Sacramento, it was very exhilarating to meet the person representing my hometown in Washington.

During a conversation with Congressman Eric Swalwell's staffer, the Rep. himself walked by, and introduced himself to our group.  He and his staffer were also very respectful of our mission for visiting that day.  One of our advocacy group members even realized she had gone to the same high school as a staffer of Congressman Swallwell's!  These personal connections reminded us of how important constituent connection really is when lobbying representatives to co-sponsor bills.

Advocate Mena Tajrishi, Congressman Eric Swalwell, Advocate Subha Pillai, Forum Intern Micha Zheng

Before our last congressional visit, our group rested in the lobby of the Senate Hart building.  [The walk between the House and Senate offices is surprisingly long!  Especially in heels and DC heat!] We were waiting to speak with Senator Barbara Boxer's policy staffer regarding the bills we were advocating.  To the group's surprise, the Senator herself serendipitously walked by right where we were sitting!  She was kind enough to take a group photo of us, while we all tried hard to contain our inner California girls' excitement.

This was my first experience visiting Capitol Hill for advocacy work, and overall a major day to remember.  I was able to learn about the legislative process, how to research voting records of my state representatives, and most importantly - I had the opportunity to speak to our nation's policymakers regarding comprehensive sexual education, something I myself am very passionate about.  I am so thankful to the organizations that sponsored this summers' advocacy trainings, and their hard work in preparing personalized Hill visits.  These experiences have inspired me to become a more informed citizen when it comes to legislation that could have positive upstream effects on public health.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  is an MPH student at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. Her research interests include routine HIV testing, health disparities, women's reproductive issues, and sexually transmitted infections.