Wednesday 31-03-2021 - 09:43

Written by: Faye Brightman, Gender Identity Part-Time Officer for the Carmarthen Campus

Today (March 31st) is Transgender Visibility Day, which is a day where we take the time to acknowledge Transgender and Non-binary people, and the issues they face. One issue in particular that needs to be looked at, is periods. Many transgender men, and Non-binary people still go through a menstrual cycle, meaning they also need access to sanitary products. However, they are not always able to access these products in amenities designed solely around the traditional image of ‘male’, for example, public restrooms and toilets in establishments. For further knowledge about this subject and more in depth information, I recommend taking a look at this article, as it includes some information on the importance of recognising that women aren’t the only people who menstruate.

As the Gender Identity Part Time Officer for Carmarthen, I am campaigning for the availability of sanitary products in the male toilets on campus, this in turn will mean they can become more accessible to more people who rely on them. In my opinion, I feel this would be a positive move for the LGBTQ+ community, and would make this campus a place transgender and Non-binary people can feel comfortable, knowing that they can access the facilities and products they need.

However, on the other side of this issue it isn’t just about getting hold of these items, it’s also disposing of them. In the male toilets there aren’t any bins to dispose of pads and tampons. If we include these bins in the male toilets, it makes it easier for people to dispose of used sanitary products and begin the process of normalising periods for everyone in todays culture. 

With this in mind, we could also start to tackle plastic pollution from periods at the same time. However you identify, plastic pollution affects all of us, and we should start working together to look at plastic free options and encouraging the mainstream use of these items. As a Transgender Woman myself, I can say that after my surgery when there was a lot of bleeding, reusable cloth sanitary pads (CSP) are really effective, and work just as well as disposable ones. Other products include menstrual cups and biodegradable pads and liners made from 100% organic cotton. So, let’s help make a change, and start the process of supporting the introduction of sanitary products into male toilets. We as people need to get past the stigma that only women can get periods, when in fact, Men Bleed Too.

 

Mentioned in this article:

Why It’s Imperative To Include Trans Men & Non-Binary People When We Talk About Periods (www.vogue.co.uk)