Resolution 070551

..Title Urging Philadelphia to adopt status as a Pro-Choice City. ..Body WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia acknowledges being a supporter and advocate for the advancement of women's rights and equality, and in particular the women's reproductive rights and freedom; and WHEREAS, The City needs to pride itself on being recognized as one of the cities to officially express it support for a woman's right to choose; and WHEREAS, It is more critical than ever to make a unified nationwide stand for access to reproductive health care; and WHEREAS, Being a pro-choice city means creating an environment that is supportive of women, and making it known that the city is a place where women's rights are respected and defended; and WHEREAS, Being a pro-choice city means promoting responsible sex education so that both women and men are aware of their reproductive choices and have the tools to make their own private decisions and take charge of their lives; and WHEREAS, Being a pro-choice city means encouraging the expansion of all forms of reproductive health care, including prenatal care, gynecological care, education and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, and reproductive cancers; and WHEREAS, Being a pro-choice city means defending the right to choose a legal and safe abortion as a final but critical option for women; part of a comprehensive set of reproductive rights that emphasizes the ability of the individual to make informed decisions from a range of reproductive choices and the ultimate control of the individual over her own body and her own life; now, therefore RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Does hereby reaffirm its longstanding position as a pro-choice city, and encourages other cities around the country to join us in voicing official support for reproductive rights. ..End