Former House candidate Gibson creates new PAC to fight sexual violence

Susanna Gibson, the Democratic nominee for Virginia’s 57th House District in 2023 who lost the general election to Republican David Owen, has announced the formation of a new political action committee named MyOwn.

She created the PAC to support candidates dedicated to legislative reform related to gender-based and sexual violence, she said – in particular nonconsensual pornography, nonconsensual distribution of intimate images, synthetic NDII (“deepfakes”), intimate privacy violations, and image-based sexual abuse.

Gibson’s campaign was rocked last fall after a consensual sex video she made with her husband and streamed privately later was published on other public websites without their knowledge or permission.

Her new PAC, she said, is nonpartisan and will be committed to advocating for the right to intimate privacy, autonomy, and agency over one's own body, and fighting back against all forms of sexual violence, including the weaponization of bodies and sexuality in the political arena.

The PAC also will provide support and resources to candidates who may find themselves at risk of or are currently being harmed by these abuses, Gibson said.

"These abhorrent tactics silence diverse perspectives," she said. "By providing support to these candidates, we move towards the creation of a government that truly reflects our society and allows more voices to be heard and creates more equitable and inclusive policymaking.

"Sadly, these crimes disproportionately target and harm women, particularly women of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and ultimately threaten the promise of an equitable, diverse, and representative democracy" Gibson said. “It's not just about protecting individuals; it's about safeguarding the principles of democracy and ensuring a political landscape where all voices can be heard without fear of personal retribution.”