sexandsensibilities.com

Washington, D.C. — I was thisclose to Christiane Amanpour and Annie Lennox.

I was sitting so close to Ashley Judd that I could peak into her light blue Birkin bag and see its contents (if you must know, the visible contents  were her pen, a notepad and pouch. She likes to take off her shoes and sit Indian style).

I even managed to speak to Christy Turlington–Burns and start what I hope was an interesting conversation.

But “meeting” these ladies at Women Deliver didn’t have the effect on me as meeting DOH Secretary Esperanza Cabral did.

I was tongue-tied. I stammered and stuttered and couldn’t find the words…and for a journalist, that says something.

But what does a journalist and sexual health advocate say to the one woman who made national headlines with DOH initiatives that nearly everyone had an opinion on and were deemed either to be bold and daring or innovative and out of the box — depending on which side you’re on?

What do you say to the woman who remained composed, level-headed and rational when bishops with vein–popping indignation challenged her to a debate about condom efficacy, and only asked one question:  when?

What do you tell the woman who was asked if she, in her good conscience as a mother and a Catholic would give condoms to her unmarried son, answered pragmatically, “I don’t have to. He can very well buy them himself.”

What do you say to the woman who could discuss risqué topics like condoms and sexual behavior with such…class?

All throughout the drama following the  giving out of free condoms by the DOH on Valentine’s Day, nothing seemed to ruffle Secretary Cabral or make her lose her composure. She was no ordinary health official. She was also a lady who managed what had since then been unthinkable – merge “sexual” and “health” into one word that was not charged with politics; not laden with morality. With her matter-of-fact, determination to live up to the DOH mandate, Secretary Cabral made “sexual health” stand for the basic human right of every individual to have control over their bodies.

What do you say when you’re introduced to such a woman?

“I’m such a fan.”, I gushed.  Yeah,  along with a couple of hundred other people on your Facebook page, I could have added.

Luckily, I gathered my wits quickly enough and began with the shameless plugging, “I founded a website called Sex and Sensibilities….”

“Oh yes!”, Secretary Cabral interrupted, as a flash of recognition came across her face. “I’ve been to that site. You wrote something about MDG5.”

Again, I was at a loss for words.

“Thank you for writing that.”, Secretary Cabral said.

“My pleasure. Thank you for doing so much to advance RH.”, I think was the reply that I mustered.

“Well, I only have a few weeks left. Let’s see what happens after June 30.”,Secretary Cabral replied, echoing the anxiety of many RH advocates about the June 30 D-day.

During his campaign, one of Noynoy’s platforms was RH. He’s not on Secretary Cabral’s Facebook page, but I hope he’s one of her fans, too.