5.5% of highschool students in the US identify as transgender or gender questioning. Even though this is true, and many transgender students have periods, there aren’t any period products or hygienic places to dispose of period products in boys restrooms in our highschools. This may cause students to not change their period care products as frequently, which can lead to severe infections, some of which can be fatal or cause lifelong harm. The lack of adequate disposal sites may also cause students to look to other places to dispose of used products, this could lead to potential “outing” of trans students and may lead to transphobia based bullying, as well as potential exposure to biohazards for others. We all know there are several diseases that are blood borne, and having inadequate places to dispose of products that contain blood could be a health risk to other students and staff. Many schools provide period care products in girls restrooms. While this is not required, it is a thing most schools in Durham do AND NC has funding for schools to purchase period products. There are some students that do not have access to period care products at home, so school might be the only place to get them. If students that use the boys restrooms have periods, but don’t have access to period care products at home, they are unlikely to be able to access them at school either. 

This is not only an issue of public health and safety, but also one of overcoming centuries of oppression towards the queer community. We should try to normalize all bodies, especially in schools. Students go to school to learn, and they should be able to do that without worrying about whether or not they are safe to do so. Many people in Durham pride themselves on living in a diverse community where we have people of all skin tones, sizes, ethnicities, spiritual beliefs, and backgrounds. We strive to make all people feel welcome here, and we should continue to do that especially in schools. 83% of gender nonconforming students report being bullied at school in the last 12 months, and 1 in 4 have experienced violence as a part of this. Putting adequate healthcare products in all school restrooms would help normalize boys having periods too, and minimize the “othering” of transgender students. We need to address this issue as soon as possible because of the sheer amount of anti trans legislation that is being introduced. 671 anti trans bills were proposed in 2024 alone, with many more to come with the administration.

In conclusion, we need adequate period care products and places to dispose of them in all school restrooms. And this is the perfect time to act!