#TamponTim: A Step Towards Menstrual Equity

When I first saw the hashtag #TamponTim circulating on social media, I was excited. I thought, what high praise for Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, who has taken significant steps to support menstrual equity, including eliminating the tampon tax and ensuring free menstrual products are available in all public school bathrooms in Minnesota.

Groundbreaking Actions

The truth is, Governor Walz’s actions are not just commendable; they are groundbreaking. By removing the tampon tax, he made Minnesota one of the few states to recognize the absurdity of taxing essential health products. Currently, 21 states still impose tampon taxes. The average menstruator spends about $13.25 per month on menstrual products, which amounts to over $6,000 in a lifetime. Eliminating the tampon tax can significantly reduce this financial burden and improve economic inequalities.

Walz’s administration also implemented policies ensuring menstrual products are freely available in public school bathrooms. This move is crucial for students who might experience their first periods unexpectedly or who cannot afford products at home. According to a 2019 study by Plan International USA, 1 in 5 girls in the U.S. has missed school because of a lack of access to menstrual products. Period poverty is a real issue in the U.S., and providing free products in schools can help mitigate this issue.

Destigmatizing Menstruation

Leaders who acknowledge these issues also help destigmatize menstruation and prevent shame and embarrassment for something so natural. These actions demonstrate a genuine commitment to supporting the well-being and dignity of all people who menstruate.

Embrace the Nickname

Walz’s push to put menstrual products in all gendered bathrooms is where the amusing, supposedly derogatory nickname #TamponTim came from. But I think the name should be embraced and celebrated. Walz’s progressive policies stand in stark contrast to the wave of regressive legislation sweeping across the U.S.

Regressive Laws

Laws like Florida’s “Don’t Say Period” bill, which restricts discussions about menstruation in schools for students under 12, are a blatant attack on freedom of speech and detrimental to the health and dignity of our young people. In other states, there are moves to subpoena menstrual data, which could be weaponized against people in states where abortion access is restricted. These laws are not just invasive; they are dangerous.

Importance of Menstrual Equity

For the past 15 years, the Desai Foundation has been working in menstrual equity across India and has seen firsthand the consequences of ignorance, debilitating stigmas, limited access to products, and other aspects of menstrual equity that impact health, reproductive health, education, economic empowerment, and beyond.

It’s crucial to build a coalition of policymakers across the U.S. who understand that menstrual equity is a matter of basic human rights.

Bleeders Are Voters

As we look toward future elections, it is essential to remember that bleeders are voters, and there are a lot of them. Politicians who advocate for menstrual equity are likely to gain support from voters who prioritize health, gender equality, and reproductive rights. A 2021 survey by YouGov found that 60% of Americans support eliminating the tampon tax. Think about how that could translate to voters in a presidential election.

There is widespread public support for policies that promote menstrual equity; we just need to talk about them more. Let’s encourage more of our representatives to earn nicknames like #TamponTim by supporting initiatives that make real differences in people’s lives and advance menstrual equity.