"The company Bodyform has started a Change.org petition solicitingsupport on Twitter 'to get period emojis on the emoji keyboard' because apparently menstruating is the new route to female empowerment," Acculturated's Abby Schachter reports today.
And “femojis” aren’t the only example of the new Vulgarity Feminism. Five women in New York, representing an organization called Racket—“a women’s advocacy group which encourages women to embrace their periods while promoting menstrual cycle resources and wellness”—have filed a lawsuit against the State of New York to revoke what they call the Tampon Tax. According to the lawsuit, tampons and pads are not defined as medical devices so are not exempt from state sales taxes. Items such as Rogaine and foot and incontinence pads are not taxed, though presumably both men and women can use these products. No matter, says the lawyer. “Tampons and sanitary pads are a necessity for women, not a luxury. There is no way these products would be taxed if men had to use them,” said Zoe Salzman, representing the Racket women.
Some legislators are going a step further and proposing the installation of free tampon dispensers at public schools and other facilities. “Menstruation is something women cannot control,” said Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY). “Menstrual products should not be treated as luxury items.” The leap from luxury to free is unclear but once a politician sets herself down the path of righteous indignation, logic and common sense have a tendency to disappear.