I never thought about how female hygiene products were taxed. I would pick them up at the store and just like everything else, it had a sales tax. I never stopped to consider that this was discriminatory. I was not aware that Viagra was not taxed.
It was interesting because I have had other people buy me products when I was busy (my parents, my boyfriend, etc.) so I never thought about how this tax really only affects those with menstruation.
It is irritating how people will argue that hygienic products are a luxury and not necessary. It is true that if we bleed everywhere, we will not die. However, that is not to say that NOT bleeding is a luxury. People will say that hygienic products are not necessary and yet offer no solution for the bleeding! Perhaps some people are sadly misinformed about the female anatomy and where the bleeding is coming from…
The interesting point that is brought up is about the male percentage in authority. It does not make sense for someone who has no interest for the welfare of women to be in charge of decisions involving women. There definitely needs to be some sort of change brought about. People need to be educated and perhaps that will open up the door for new possibilities.

I think it is absolutely ridiculous that tampons have a luxury product tax. I hope that very, very soon this will be changed. I first learned about the tax when I read about Kiran Gandhi running the marathon on a running website I frequent. I think what she did was amazing and really did draw (needed) attention to the subject. I will be honest, as a male, it is not something I had ever thought about before and I likely would never have. However because of people like Kiran Gandhi spreading attention to the subject, it is now something that I am well aware of and hope to see changed. I think that, like you stated, the fact that congress is 80% male is directly responsible for this tax. The United States without a doubt needs more female representation to make sure things like this not only don’t continue to happen, but do not go unnoticed.

I think that having a tax on feminine products is definitely unfair. I also believe that one of the reason’s why is because of how male dominant congress is, with that being said I also believe those taxes are passed through congress because of how uneducated a lot of men are on women’s health. My sister had a boss who legit thought that women controlled when they had their periods and got mad when my sister called into work because she had really bad cramps from her period, he did end up letting her take the day off. But the next time she saw him at work, he ended up apologizing to her about it, after another of his employees told him how periods work. He told her he truly didn’t know how periods work and thought women just used it as an excuse to be lazy. This may not apply to all men but the fact that someone even thought like this, let alone a man in power (Manager of mostly female Employees) is really disheartening. I think with proper education on women’s health a lot of things would be different.

I think the fact that Viagra is not taxed and tampons are taxed is very unfair. Menstruating is clearly something that women go through that they cannot help. The other fact that Congress is 80% male is definitely a sign and clear indicating from where these laws are coming from. I do believe though, the idea of “Free bleeding” is to extreme. As described in the article you are bleeding everywhere and that is very extreme. I feel there’s probably more of a less extreme way of protesting. Protesting in that manner I think makes the argument you are making seem unreasonable, especially to men. Ultimately though if men do not have pay tax on Viagra, I believe men or female should see that is extremely unfair. Not having taxes on item show that its something people need. Tampons is clearly an item women need, therefore we should have to pay taxes.

Because men’s personal pleasure is certainly a necessity rather than a luxury, right?

I remember in my senior year of high school doing a project on the appropriately nicknamed “women’s tax”, and it turns out a lot of “feminine” hygiene products have a higher cost than their supposedly “masculine” counterparts. I’m not just talking about tampons and sanitary napkins here, but also products such as razors and deodarant marketed toward women, despite the fact that most people use them regardless of sex. When you add up yearly costs, women end up having to pay significantly more for the same products as men, and with the (although decreasing) gender wage gap, it just ends up being downright inconvenient. According to some articles I’ve read in the past, periods are especially harrowing for homeless women and those below the poverty line who have difficulty taking care of themselves during menstruation, and this tax only makes it that much more of a struggle.

Also, what of young transgender males who continue to menstruate? This tax would inconvenience them as well, given that the extra cost for a product which is still a necessity brands them as women due to their genitalia, ignoring their identified gender — another reason for this silly tax to be abolished.

I find this blog post really interesting because tampons or pads are something essentially everyone woman uses, and yet, none of us know about it. You’re right when you say that tampons are not a luxury and it is ridiculous that any man could perceive that it is. It makes me wonder if Congress intentionally screws women over sometimes. I admire the women who free bleed and perhaps if I run a half marathon or marathon and I have my period I will free bleed as well. But, I think I would prefer to keep my clothes on the cleaner side and get my hands dirty in politics. I suppose contacting your representative would be the best step to take, but I wonder, what are your ideas to fight the tampon tax?