Shahana has taken decisive action in response to the shameful federal assault on the right to choose. After Roe v. Wade was overturned, Shahana co-authored the NYC Abortion Rights Act that expanded funding, legal protections, and education for reproductive health. She’s committed to make sure no matter what happens on the national level, New York City will be a safe haven for abortion.

Shahana is committed to creating a feminist future for New York City—one that empowers women, girls, transgender people, and the LGBTQ+ community. She envisions a safer, more equitable city that proactively provides resources for those seeking abortion care and supports individuals facing gender-based and intimate partner violence.

Shahana’s Accomplishments:

  • Shahana authored and passed Local Law 75 of 2022. This established an outreach campaign about reproductive rights in New York City, which included billboards in red states like Georgia, Texas, and Florida. This education effort has successfully directed patients in need to services in the five boroughs.

  • She has made sure out-of-state patients have been able to successfully access services by securing an annual $1 Million investment in the New York Abortion Access Fund that covers practical support for people living in or traveling to New York. This is the largest municipal program of this kind in the country.

  • Her Local Law 76 of 2022 created a legal shield for people accessing abortion care, ensuring the City will protect patients from anti-choice suits.

  • She was an outspoken advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment, which wrote the right to an abortion into the State Constitution.

  • She has firmly opposed any interruptions to trans healthcare and urged medical facilities to continue providing care without discrimination.

  • Shahana played a key role in supporting the designation of the Lesbian Herstory Archives building in the district as an official NYC Landmark.

  • Shahana has supported important LGBTQ+ initiatives, including integrating queer history into school curriculum and strengthening economic opportunities for queer New Yorkers.

Shahana’s Vision:

  • Shahana is committed to defending reproductive rights, standing firm against any attempts to restrict access to healthcare, particularly in the wake of challenges from the Trump administration. 

  • Shahana introduced Reso 94, calling on the state to mandate age-appropriate, comprehensive sex education for K-12 students. She will continue to support and develop initiatives that make NYC a safe haven for abortion access, supporting survivors of intimate partner and gender-based violence, and driving initiatives to create a safer, more equitable city for all.

  • Shahana will fight for strengthened anti-discrimination protections and enforcement so that queer and trans people don’t face unfair treatment in education, employment or housing.

  • Shahana will soon be introducing new legislation, the Affirm Act, to protect the safety of patients and staff at healthcare facilities that provide gender affirming care.