Inclusive language for menstrual hygiene products approved by Denver council committee

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The Finance and Governance Committee of the Denver City Council approved Tuesday changing the wording of a law that prohibits sales tax on menstrual hygiene products.

The ordinance, sponsored by council member Paul Kashmann, changes “feminine hygiene products” to “menstrual hygiene products” in the sales tax exemption bill. “There are a whole lot of folks who need menstrual hygiene products who don’t identify as feminine,” Kashmann told his council committee colleagues, who voted unanimously for the change.

Council member Amanda Sawyer said she just wants to make sure that changing the wording to “menstrual,” which is more specific than “feminine,” won’t prevent tax from being excluded on some products. Kashmann said he would check with the city attorney’s office.

Council member Darrell Watson, who is a member of the LGBT community, applauded Kashmann for recognizing the broad range of modern-day genders. “I just want to say thank you.”

LGBT community suffers discrimination

During a presentation to the council, Kashmann noted that former council member Jolon Clark sponsored the legislation that excluded menstrual hygiene products from sales tax.

In Kashmann’s presentation, he explained that Generation Z is far more likely to describe their gender across a spectrum than Generation X or Baby Boomers before them. He noted that LGBT people suffer discrimination. He said a study by Kantar Consulting in 2017 showed discrimination occurs on social media, with 40% reporting it; at work or school, with 33% experiencing discrimination; 32% reported discrimination while shopping and 24% said it occurred when applying for a job.

Further, according to the presentation, a 2023 study by UCLA Law School showed:

· 81% OF transgender adults in the U.S. have thought about suicide.

· 42% of transgender adults have attempted suicide.

· 56% have engaged in non-suicidal self-injury over their lifetimes.

· 50% of non-binary and trans youth considered suicide.

Kashmann explained what other cities have done around menstrual products. New York state adopted an ordinance like Kashmann proposes, while Canada requires menstrual products to be provided in all restrooms, regardless of gender, in federally regulated workplaces. The country also uses gender neutral language to refer to menstrual products.

The City Council still must vote on the name change twice for it to become law. Nobody addressed the council Monday during a public hearing on the issue.