On Thursday, the Austin City Council passed what it calls the “Fight Back for Reproductive Health Agenda” – a series of resolutions sponsored by Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes. The resolutions come in response to the possible overturning of Roe versus Wade by the United States Supreme Court, which most of the city council firmly opposes.
The two resolutions passed, items 88 and 89, would (1) direct Austin’s City Manager to ensure women who support abortion are protected from supposed discrimination in employment and housing, and (2) to provide taxpayer-funded feminine hygiene products for women at various locations across the city.
“As various state and national entities continue to encroach on and restrict reproductive freedom, it is our responsibility to do everything we can at the local level to defend reproductive rights. We hope to set an example for other cities in Texas to take action”, said Fuentes.
Mayor Steve Adler has also been behind a push to get these resolutions passed.
“Austin is a city that empowers and respects our residents to make their own decisions over their reproductive health. The ability to find employment or housing should not be impacted based on personal reproductive choices. Discrimination of any kind does not represent who we are as a city and will not be tolerated.” said Adler when discussing item 88.
