Christine Harley is an influential advocate for sex education and Asian American civil rights. She serves as the President and CEO of SIECUS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing sex education through advocacy, policy, and coalition building. Before joining SIECUS, Harley founded 2020 Consulting and directed The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights' 2020 Census Campaign. She also served as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the Obama administration. Harley, who is Korean American and Native American, is a single mom by choice of twin boys and the first generation in her family to attend college and graduate school.

In our interview, Harley shared her unique background growing up in a half Korean, half Native American household in Annapolis, Maryland. She recounted the challenges of being one of the only Asian American families in a predominantly white community and how this shaped her understanding of the American experience. Harley discussed her passion for civil rights, sparked during her time at Oberlin College, and her commitment to advocating for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

Harley highlighted her work at SIECUS, emphasizing the crucial role of comprehensive sex education in fostering respectful and healthy relationships. She discussed the intersection of her advocacy for sex education with her experiences as an Asian American woman, tackling stereotypes and promoting bodily autonomy and consent. Harley also touched on her decision to become a single mother, driven by her desire to experience motherhood despite not having a partner, and how this journey has been one of the most meaningful experiences of her life.

Throughout the interview, Harley underscored the importance of fighting for equity and access, whether in healthcare, education, or economic opportunities, for marginalized communities. She spoke passionately about her commitment to creating a more just world, driven by her belief that it is always worth fighting for better rather than settling for less.

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