Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance laughed and joked about supporters chanting “Tampon Tim” at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s weekend rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
He laughed as the chants gathered steam and noted that he “probably shouldn’t say that.”
The moniker “Tampon Tim” has been bestowed on Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz because while governor of Minnesota he signed legislation that makes menstrual products available free of charge to all students in the state.
Some folks seem to think calling out that fact is somehow a way of owning the Libs, or a put-down of Walz or some other legitimate form of political discourse.
Here is the reality: half of the people in the world menstruate monthly for about four decades. Throughout that time frame, menstrual periods can be regular or irregular or both.
That means that people are caught unaware sometimes. That means that adolescents, middle schoolers, high schoolers, teachers, school staff, etc., may find themselves bleeding when they are unprepared.
Providing free menstrual products for all students means a 13-year-old doesn’t have to be embarrassed, teased or bullied due to bleeding through their underwear and pants and trying to cover it up by tying a sweatshirt or jacket around their waist until they can get home or find some supplies.
Are there honestly people who think this is a bad thing? This impacts half of the population! Periods can be more erratic when they first start, meaning the availability of these supplies is even more important for the younger students.
If someone wants to have a legitimate political policy-spending discussion about public dollars for private health needs, frame it that way rather than sling words at a candidate that really aren’t the insult they are intended to be.
Ask anyone who menstruates, has menstruated, lives with current and former menstruaters, if this MAGA insult is landing the way it is intended, or if is a badge of honor for Walz and other leaders who recognize how easy it is to make sure these critical supplies are available in bathrooms along with soap, water, toilet paper and hand towels.
