In case you haven’t heard, there is a new bill (House Bill 1069) in Florida that is being called the “Don’t say ‘period'” bill, affectionately (sarcasm) referring to the “Don’t Say Gay” law that DeSantis launched a little over a year ago. Finally, the Governor, and other Florida Republicans, have directed their crusade towards menstruation. I say finally because I (and countless others) expected it.
Handmaid’s Tale, people.
A GIF I thought was quite applicable. Source: spiderliliez on Tumblr
The bill, if passed, would ban children under sixth grade from getting sex education or being taught anything about their reproductive systems, puberty, and bodies. And, of course, the “education” that IS given, once students are deemed old enough, will be heavily tainted with conservative beliefs and bias and will certainly erase any identities that do not belong to a strictly cishet gender binary. This was the original aim.
However, in a subcommittee hearing, Representative Ashley Viola Gantt, a Democrat, questioned Representative Stan McClain, a Republican, if “young girls” would be banned from discussing their menstrual periods in school.
“Does this bill prohibit conversations about menstrual cycles ― because we know that typically the age is between 10 and 15 ― so if little girls experience their menstrual cycle in fifth grade or fourth grade, will that prohibit conversations from them since they are in the grade lower than sixth grade?” – Representative Gantt
The answer: yes. It will prohibit those important conversations.
An image of a part of the bill and what it proposes. Source: WPTV
I, for one, got my first period the summer after fifth grade. Countless menstruators get them even earlier. School is supposed to be a safe space where you can learn certain things that will keep you safe, empowered, and knowledgeable. Now, if this bill is passed, young people will possible be experiencing their first period without even the most basic knowledge to support them through what is a time of intense change.
As the years go on, menstruators are having their menarche, their first period earlier and earlier in age. Furthermore, there is evidence that menstruators in low to middle income countries or areas or that are members of marginalized communities get their first period even earlier.
This bill might have worked back in the 1950s, even though it still wouldn’t be right. But it certainly isn’t right for young menstruators of 2023.
If you’re angry, like I am, there is much to be done. Protest. Share information. Sign petitions. Call Florida senators. Do what I did when Brett Kavanaugh reversed Roe V. Wade and send Ron DeSantis a handwritten note explaining how evil he is.
I don’t have all the answers. But I will always fight for what I think to be right, especially in menstrual equity.
Your GIF is very appropriate for my feelings as well. It is so frustrating to see progress being completely reversed. In many homes, my home included, menstruation was not a topic of discussion, and the only place I ever got my information was school (or the internet, which is problematic in its own right). I fear that these young menstruators in Florida will turn to the internet, which is fraught with misinformation or facts that could be misinterpreted, instead of being able to actually discuss it with a trusted adult. It does feel incredibly dystopian. It is so frustrating that these lawmakers, who do not menstruate and are completely uneducated on menstruation, are making laws to make education about menstruation even more difficult to find so that the next generation will ALSO be uneducated about menstruation.
Just once I would like to be told that Florida did something and have it not be taking away people’s basic rights. Apparently, that’s too much to ask of Ron DeSantis who is just targeting one group after another. I’m really glad you’ve provided a space for discussion about this bill because I haven’t seen too many people talking about it but it needs attention. Human sexuality and sex education are important parts of a well-rounded education and limiting them is only going to harm future kids. I am disgusted but not surprised by this bill. I am, however, a little shocked at the lengths that Florida will go to be transphobic. I feel as though there are better ways that the Florida state government could use its time rather than voting hate into law. Just a crazy, radical, leftist, pronoun having idea but I feel like maybe we should just not hate people for being different than us.
This is unbelievable! I swear Florida is just a fever dream. This bill would undo the work that has been done to destigmatize periods, especially with younger girls. I can’t imagine what it would be like to get your period and simply not know what’s going on (assuming the parents haven’t discussed it either). I don’t even remember getting my first period, and that’s probably because I had already learned about it in school which made the entire experience much less traumatic.