Oregon Schools Promote “Menstrual Dignity” For Transgender Students

The Oregon Department of Education is requiring public schools to put menstruation products in all bathrooms, according to the department’s website.

The department has been charged with implementing state legislation dubbed the “Menstrual Dignity Act” by legislators. The bill requires public schools and universities to put menstrual products in at least two restrooms in each building at no cost to students.

Sasha Grenier, the department’s Sexuality Education and School Health Specialist announced the upcoming changes in an email to educators and administrators. For the 2022-2023 school year, the Oregon Department of Education mandated that menstrual products be available “in all restrooms.”

Implementation guidelines instruct educators to talk about “menstrual dignity for transgender, intersex, non-binary, and two-spirit students” in classroom instruction.

“Importantly, this law 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,” the guidebook read.