Period Poverty: Even Here. Period.

Have you ever had to choose between buying tampons and putting food on the table?

I have.

I'm fortunate not to have been (that) poor in over year, but countless people across the country aren't so lucky.

In Toronto alone, there are over 22,000 vulnerable people in need of menstrual products and one-third of menstruators under the age of 25 have struggled to afford menstrual products in Canada [source].

We often think of this as something that happens to other people, far from our own backyard, but Period Poverty happens to women, trans, and nonbinary people in Toronto, Canada, and across North America. 

It's probably affected someone you know. 

Case in point: Last Saturday, people rallied across USA (and in 3 other countries) for the first annual National Period Day. Their demands: freely accessible period products in schools, shelters and prisons for anyone (of any gender) who menstruates, and no more taxes on period products in any of the 35 states that continue to tax these products.

So how can you help end period poverty?

♥️ Use inclusive language. They're not feminine products; they're menstrual products. They're not women who menstruate; they're people who menstruate (unless you're specifically talking about a group of people who you 100% know are women!) Leaving people out of the conversation just makes the situation worse.

♥️ Host a period party of your own, or donate any of these items to The Period Purse at these locations in Ontario (or find an LGBTQ shelter, women's shelter, community shelter, or other organization local to you).

♥️ Always have extra menstrual products at home and in your bag, and be a safe person others can go to if they need a pad or tampon.

♥️ On a similar note: Demonstrate that you're a comfortable, nonjudgmental person to talk to about periods (as long as this doesn't trigger you-- some people with PCOS, gender dysphoria, etc may not be able to do this, and that's okay!). Share articles about menstrual health, casually mention something you've recently tried for your PMS and how much it helps, or that chocolate and tampons were both on sale at the drugstore this week. Let people know they can come to you if they need help; There's no shame in talking about periods. 

How are you doing your part to end Period Poverty?

In Favor of Angry Feminists

I sometimes wonder whether it's worth it to be as outspoken as I am (especially on the internet). Is it worth it to make enemies because I feel the need to discuss my life, my feminism, my stance on abortion?

But nights like tonight make things crystal clear.

Here's what went down:

There’s this bill that they are trying to pass in Texas that would make it illegal to get any abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and would make it very difficult for abortion centers [even general health centers that happen to offer abortion-related services] to continue doing what they do. Governor Rick Perry has already said that if the bill makes it to his desk, he will sign it. And Wendy Davis said fuck no that is not happening.

So she’s filibustering it. That means she asked to talk on the subject at 11:18 this morning, and if she can continue talking about abortion until 11:59 tonight, the bill won’t reach Governor Perry, and they would have to start all over with the bill next time they meet- 2 years from now.

But Wendy has to keep talking. She can’t pause for even a minute, not for food or a sip of water or to go to the bathroom or sit down. She can’t even lean up against anything, or she’s out [source].

Senator Davis had to speak for hours on end about a woman's right to bodily autonomy, following the rules to a 'T'-- until the Republicans decided to vote at the last minute. After midnight. Illegally.

They claim they began voting before the stroke of 12, but the 170,000+ people watching know that's not true.

And then protestors were arrested. Forcefully.

So following the rules only applies if you're not a white, straight, cis-gender, Republican man? Interesting.

This is about more than abortion. It's about more than Texas. It's about more than America. 

This is about women's rights. This is about human rights. 

I can't stay silent. I won't stay silent.

Senator Davis, you are a superhero. My fellow angry feminists on tumblr (with whom I've been speaking all night), I love you.

Are you a feminist? Do you believe in marriage equality?

 

"Are you a feminist?"

I think this should be everyone's answer to that question:

'Oh, yeah, absolutely. At one point, ‘feminist’ became a pejorative term. How did that happen? If you’re a feminist, you’re basically saying you’re a humanist...'.
-Julianne Moore, when asked if she's a feminist.

Then, she continues:

'That’s why the issue of gay marriage is so important to me. It’s about everybody having the same shot at everything, at work, at marriage, at life'.

Shouldn't it be that easy? Everyone deserves equal rights. End of discussion.

Source (of quote) | Image

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Related links:
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