As the parent of a child approaching puberty, I encourage the community to support menstrual equity. L.D. 452 requires schools to provide menstrual supplies in all restrooms, a step that brings us closer to inclusivity and equity in our schools.

Teaching my child the art of secretly slipping tampons to a friend perpetuates the stigma about periods. Keeping menstrual supplies in the nurse’s office furthers the taboo that menstruation is a negative. Additionally, it takes students out of the classroom reducing their ability to participate fully in daily life – one in five teens in the U.S. has struggled to afford period products or were not able to purchase them at all. More than four in five students (84 percent) in the U.S. have either missed class time or know someone who missed class time because they did not have access to period products.

We can replace shame and stigma with dignity and support. Half the population needs menstrual supplies – it’s as normal as needing toilet paper. It’s time for communities to give all people the resources and tools to take care of their bodies and health. This bill is a great start.

Lindsay Diminick
Scarborough

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