Around half of the global population experiences menstruation firsthand at some point in their lives. But, even if you personally do not menstruate, you definitely know someone who does.
Even the sheer number of people who uteruses, and the regular frequency at which they bleed, well, it makes it really weird to think about how stigmatised periods still are. Not to mention the fact that period products are quite expensive if you think about it.
The UK recently announced that there will no longer be a value-added tax (VAT) to period products, which is a huge and exciting win! This man, whilst in support of the tax reduction, had a severe problem with the way it was announced.
Good policy but is this obscene image really necessary? https://t.co/LMqTABtESd
— Adam Garrie (@adamgarriereal) January 1, 2021
It's the word "tax" that's obscene, right?
— Kate Walton (@waltonkate) January 2, 2021
I'm happy that a tax has been abolished. I'm unhappy that a government channel needed to show an image conjuring thoughts of bodily fluids for no reason. A simple textual statement would have sufficed.
— Adam Garrie (@adamgarriereal) January 2, 2021
Please read up on menstruation stigma so you understand why it's your language here that's unnecessary, and harmful. If you think tampons are obscene, you're implying that people who use them have something obscene about us, too.
— Samantha Shannon (@say_shannon) January 2, 2021
The implication of bodily fluids.
— Adam Garrie (@adamgarriereal) January 2, 2021
In an interview with Bored Panda, Adam Garrie has this to say about his beliefs:
“If someone wants to publish photos of their genitals, bodily fluids, or anything else of that nature, I shall defend their right to do so. If someone seeks to bully me into enjoying it, I shall calmly state my entirely reasonable opposition. Not only are they comfortable with sharing photos of their bodily fluids and genitals online, but they seek to force those with personally traditional values to revel in the kind of exhibitionism which they enjoy.”
I find images of any product concerned with bodily fluids originating from below a man or woman's belt to be unfit for broadcast on a government channel. I agree with the text and the policy. It is the image that I object to.
— Adam Garrie (@adamgarriereal) January 2, 2021
“In this sense, my opposition to a piece of crude government propaganda has been most educational. I have seen first hand the intolerance, bigotry, and sexism of those who want all men and all women to think alike. I believe in individual liberty and I shall continue to oppose all those who want to enforce a single point of view on others.”
On the right.
— Adam Garrie (@adamgarriereal) January 2, 2021
If you find a drawing of a tampon obscene but have no problem looking at photos of toilet paper your concern is not public decency, it’s misogyny.
— Kate van Hooft (@vanhooftwrites) January 2, 2021
This is not obscene. In any way shape or form. You are being over sensitive. Had the tampon had blood on it, then yes perhaps we could consider that a little obscene. But we will save your delicate eyes from that one.
— ~*Em.K*~ (@MarySedai) January 3, 2021
Do you blush in the condom and pregnancy test aisle too?
The only slightly misaccuracy is it's a clean unused tampon.... Can just imagine if it was accurately depicted after use .. kinda like the "blue water" on pads
— John (@joltdude) January 3, 2021
Now, what IS obscene is the Tories voting against abolishing tampon tax in 2015, and then pretending some major victory against the Forces of EU VAT because it's the only "benefit" they can think of.
— Temporary Bat 🦇 (@aisling_bn) January 3, 2021
If you're looking for a way to celebrate the VAT being removed, listen to this fun little song about NASA and tampons (yes, you read that like).
(Friendly reminder that schools and shelters are always in need of period products, so if you have some spare, don't forget to donate--it can make a big difference.)
Adam, I feel like you’d appreciate this pic.twitter.com/8WEo0V9SHM
— L A U R A 🌍 (@missgeog92) January 2, 2021