We've been asked a lot why we endorsed the man in the race for LA Mayor. The reason is simple – Eric Garcetti is clearly the stronger feminist.
A perfect example occurred this past Sunday during the USC debate when the moderator asked both candidates if there should be an age restriction at which someone could access Plan B (emergency contraception) over the counter.
Wendy Greuel gave a perplexing answer for someone who boasts being endorsed by Planned Parenthood: Rather than state that emergency contraception should be available to any woman or girl who needs it without a doctor’s prescription, Wendy called herself pro-choice but then went on to say that the responsibility is between a doctor and their patient.
When the moderator pressed her, pointing out that many members of women’s health organizations believe there should be NO age restriction on access to emergency contraception, she replied, "Well again, I think that's a conversation between the young woman and, uh, the pharmacist and others about the ability to have access to that (access to Plan B). I think we need to teach our young women responsibility…..”
California NOW, along with our Reproductive Justice allies work tirelessly every day to ensure access to full reproductive healthcare, including over-the-counter emergency contraception, like Plan B, which is why California NOW endorsed Eric Garcetti.
Eric Garcetti's words demonstrate why he’s the best choice for mayor. When the moderator asked Eric Garcetti the same question, Eric immediately replied, "No I don't believe there should be….(age restrictions on access to emergency contraception). We had a great program that we had in Hollywood to reduce teenage pregnancy that was actually so successful it was wound down - eighty-five percent cut in the amount of teenage pregnancies in Hollywood that were happening around Hollywood High School and the neighborhood. But we have to remember these girls, these young women, are often coming from sometimes abusive situations, may have been the survivors of sexual abuse in other situations. They might have that in the home, and I think if you make this be something that somebody has to describe to their parent, you remove those protections from some who have been the most abused and the most vulnerable, and that's the reason I oppose (restrictions on access to Plan B)"
In the race for LA Mayor, it's clear that the strongest feminist is Eric Garcetti. In addition to being a lifetime NOW member, Eric has worked on numerous advocacy campaigns, alongside local Los Angeles, state and national NOW leaders. He also authored the legislation for local implementation of gender equality (CEDAW - Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women). He sponsored city council sessions to educate the public about myths surrounding sexual assault, led the fight to secure the funding necessary to eliminate the backlog of DNA rape kits and fought to ensure that the LAPD have the resources necessary to process new kits on an on-going basis.
LA is the largest city in our state. It's the second largest city in the nation. LA needs a mayor who understands the issues and will answer a direct question on an important issue like access to Plan B.
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