As the quest for transgender equality continues to move forward, new adjustments are being made to ensure that no individual feels excluded by how they choose to self-identify. The latest brand to stress inclusivity is feminine hygiene staple Always, as the company has recently announced the removal of the female symbol on all products to be more inclusive of transgender consumers.
As reported by @CNN, Always sanitary products—including tampons and sanitary pads, will no longer feature the Venus symbol (which is historically used to represent the female sex) on its products in an effort to be inclusive of those who identify as transgender and nonbinary. Transgender activists and allies had been publicly urging distributor Proctor & Gamble to redesign the Always pad wrapper without the gender symbol. Their reasoning was because not all people who menstruate are women and that not all women menstruate.
Always is certainly not the first company to make steps to side with transgender equality and activism, as Lyft, Mastercard and Tinder have all made similar moves. Proctor & Gamble released a statement acknowledging the change and the importance of diversity.
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The statement read:
“For over 35 years Always has championed girls and women, and we will continue to do so. We’re also committed to diversity & inclusion and are on a continual journey to understand the needs of all of our consumers. We routinely assess our products, packaging, & designs, taking into account consumer feedback, to ensure we are meeting the needs of everyone who uses our products.”
Many in the transgender community say that menstruation can be a challenging experience because periods are generally discussed to exclude those who identify as transgender or nonbinary. There is currently no date in place for when Always will officially remove the female symbol.
Roommates, what are your thoughts on this?
