A new controversial Oregon law signed by Democratic Governor Kate Brown requires all K-12 schools have menstrual products in the boys’ bathrooms for the upcoming 2022–2023 school year, starting September. .Not only are the menstrual products required, but “instructions on how to use tampons and pads will be posted in all bathrooms,” according to a government statement..The instructions for the menstrual products include drawings that four-year-old boys will see when they go to the bathroom. .The law forces all schools to conform to the “Menstrual Dignity Act” (MDA) by September 2022. .“Starting next year (2022–2023), products will be available in all restrooms (male, female, and all-gender) in every Portland Public School (PPS) building(s) where education occurs,” says a PPS statement. .“To ensure timely compliance, PPS ordered 500 dispensers. Dispensers have been installed in all elementary and middle school girls’ restrooms, and more will be installed in all remaining bathrooms, including boys’ restrooms, next year (2022).”.The PPS statement talks about an educational component of the law where all students learn about the growth and development of menstruation, regardless of their “gender identity.”.Menstruation will be taught in physical education courses where the “four pillars of menstrual dignity” teach children that all students can menstruate and help reduce the “shame and stigma” around menstruation. .Not only do children learn about menstruation in the classroom — the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) sent home a “menstrual dignity for students” toolkit in March for parents to share with their children..The toolkit includes instructions on how to use menstrual products and tips on “menstruation-positive” language for families..The ODE said the toolkit is needed because menstruation disproportionately affects “students of colour, students experiencing disabilities, and students experiencing poverty.”.The MDA “affirms the right to menstrual dignity for transgender, intersex, non-binary, and two-spirit students by addressing the challenges that some students have managing menstruation while minimizing negative attention that could put them at risk of harm and navigating experiences of gender dysphoria during menstruation,” reads the toolkit introduction..“Research also connects gender-affirming bathroom access to supporting student safety at school.”.The MDA outraged many parents, including gubernatorial candidate Bridget Barton, who criticized Governor Brown for it..“Radical leftist woke policies are destroying Oregon from our streets to our businesses to our schools. But as a mom, a new grandmother, and a Republican candidate for Oregon governor, I can’t believe we’re even discussing this. America’s most unpopular governor, Kate Brown, is putting free tampons in the boys’ bathrooms of Oregon’s elementary schools,” said Barton..“Clearly Brown cares more about what’s going on in the bathrooms than what’s going on in the classrooms.” .“I’m respectful of all, but it’s fair to let little boys be little boys, and little girls be little girls. Instead, leftist education bureaucrats are pushing this radical nonsense, spending precious class time coming between Oregon parents and their kids, creating activist factories instead of strong community schools.”.“Oregon’s kids deserve so much better from their schools. Right now Oregon’s public schools don’t deserve our kids.”
