(The Center Square) – Denver is looking to change the language of an existing tax exemption bill from “Feminine Hygiene Products” to “Menstrual Hygiene Products” to be more inclusive.
Denver councilman Paul Kashmann’s action would change the language of Chapter 53 of the Revised Municipal Code for the exemption of all sales of feminine hygiene products, according to documents from the Aug. 13, 2024, Finance & Governance Committee meeting.
“Gender-neutral language shifts cis–centered dialogue, creating more inclusive spaces,” states the amendment presentation to the council. Currently, “Feminine Hygiene products” are exempt from taxation. The exemption will remain, but the language is being changed to replace every mention of “feminine” with “menstrual.”
When asked why the city had decided to change the language of the tax exemption bill from “Feminine Hygiene Products” to “Menstrual Hygiene Products,” Jon Ewing, marketing and communications specialist for Denver, said that the presentation sums up the “why,” stating it’s “Really just about being more inclusive.”
Other entities have also changed specific languages in similar ordinances. New York State changed the words “feminine hygiene products” to “menstrual products,” while New York City uses the term “menstrual products” to replace gendered language in all laws, documents, and materials generated by the city, according to the presentation.
Canada requires menstrual products to be provided in all restrooms, regardless of gender, in federally regulated workplaces, and gender-neutral language is used to refer to menstrual products, according to part II of the Canada Labour Code.
While the state of Colorado currently provides free menstrual hygiene products to people in custody and uses gender-neutral language, the City and County of Denver Office of Social Equity & Innovation (OSEI) works with city departments as well as agencies to advance policies to achieve equity for underrepresented and disadvantaged communities including gender identity, along with the City and County of Denver’s Human Rights & Community Partnerships that partners with the community to advance social, economic, and political equity for LGBTQ in Denver. The City and County of Denver also provide guidance on how to support transitioning and gender non-conforming individuals.
Councilman Kashmann’s office referred The Center Square to a video from the Aug. 14, 2024, Finance & Governance Committee meeting, during which Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer of District 5 asked Kashmann if changing the bill’s verbiage would remove any other feminine items from being tax-exempt because “menstrual” is more specific.
Kashmann said that was his understanding, but he would check with the attorneys on the matter.
