The Michigan menstrual movement has reached the House of Representatives and we’re demanding action.

Right now, period products are taxed as luxury goods. However, other products like Viagra, penile pumps and men’s suspensories are not taxed. This exemption needs to be extended to menstrual products because menstrual hygiene is not a privilege; it is a right.

This “luxury” tax disproportionately affects menstruators, especially menstruators living in poverty. The inaccessibility of this essential care underscores how pressing period poverty is in Michigan.

But this can change.

Michiganders, our elected representatives currently have an opportunity to take action to help end period poverty. House Bills 4165 and 4166, which would exempt period products from the sales tax, are before the Michigan’s House of Representatives. This is not the first time such legislation has been introduced, but it is now the time to pass it. We call on the Michigan House support and pass House Bills 4165 and 4166; we call on the Senate to follow suit; and we call on Governor Whitmer to sign the sales tax exemption for menstrual products into law.

We’re in good company when we say equitable access to period products is a right: The United Nations’ Human Rights Watch views access to clean, safe, and affordable menstrual products as a human right,4 as a simple biological factor shouldn’t be a barrier to social and financial equity.

The misclassification of menstrual products as luxury items instead of medical necessities can often result in the use of subpar menstrual management techniques, which can lead to fatal consequences, including Toxic Shock Syndrome. One of the primary factors leading to Toxic Shock Syndrome is wearing tampons for over the 6-8 hour recommendation. Ultimately, the expensive cost of a menstrual cycle forces individuals to wear their menstrual products longer than is healthy. By removing the luxury tax, menstruators will be better able to live their healthiest lives.

We are ready to do everything within our power to eliminate the tax on period products in Michigan. We are ready to do our part to achieve gender equality and opening up the conversation on menstrual hygiene. As menstruators and non-menstruators alike, it is our civic duty to recognize injustice and to eradicate it. We cannot allow people to pay a luxury tax for a natural bodily function. That’s why we are calling on you to sign and
share this petition. Join the menstrual movement and further systemic change towards gender equality.

References:

All credit to the students and activists leading this movement and pushing for legislative action. Special credit to the #FreeThePeriodCA organization for creating the template for this petition.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/03/22/why-menstrual-hygiene-urgent-human-rights-issu e http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(m5bgescgmzw32gltc03xqhus))/mileg.aspx?page=GetO bject&objectname=2019-HB-4165
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(vjncxz0yhpruxww44r11hep5))/mileg.aspx?page=GetOb ject&objectname=2019-HB-4166
https://www.change.org/p/governor-of-ohio-end-the-tampon-tax-in-ohio