While a lot of people refer to pads or tampons as ‘feminine products’ since the world has been changing that label is as well. It seems the brand “Always” has become aware that they were seemingly leaving out a part of their customer base and now intend to make some changes.
The Venus symbol will no longer be present on packaging for “Always” brand products as a means of being more inclusive to those who are transgender and also gender-fluid/non-binary as a whole. While those not present in the LGBTQ community might not realize it, pre-op trans men still have periods and those who do not identify with either male or female gender specifically too must in some cases go through their monthly bleed. Activists from this community recently made the company aware and now this very small change is going to really make some big differences in the lives of those affected.
While many people who are not part of the LGBTQ community have been calling this ridiculous and speaking out about how ‘stupid’ they think it is, others are quite understanding. Considering most people never even noticed the symbols in the first place is taking them off really something worth getting worked up over? If it doesn’t affect the product and is able to make someone feel better about themselves and the things they’re going through why oppose it?
The company, according to Fox News, will be removing the symbol in December thus bringing in the new decade with a much more inclusive brand overall. Sure, criticism is something no company can completely avoid but in this situation should we really be criticizing? I am, however, curious to see what design they place on the packaging in its place.
According to The Independent, Always shared as follows in regards to
“We listened to you and our marketing team worked a solution. “
“We are glad to inform you that as of December we will use a wrapper design without the feminine symbol.”
Another big talking point being made online is how some women feel as though this is an attack on them. They believe that by removing the symbol from this packaging that women are seemingly being erased. There will never be a means of truly making everyone happy when it comes to this kind of thing and so arguments on the topic are not going to be dying down anytime soon. However, being able to sympathize with both sides is quite possible.
Always brand also told The Independent as follows:
“For over 35 years Always has championed girls and women, and we will continue to do so.”
“We’re also committed to diversity and inclusion, and after hearing from many people across genders and age groups, we realized that not everyone who has a period and needs to use a pad identifies as female.”
“To ensure that anyone who needs to use a period product feels comfortable in doing so with Always, we updated our pad wrapper design.”
“Our mission remains to ensure no girl loses confidence at puberty because of her gender or period, and we do this throughout puberty education programs such as #endperiodpoverty, and by using our brand voice to tackle societal barriers and stigmas like we did with #likeagirl.”
What do you think about all of this? Do you think this small change is a good one or a bad one? What direction would you like to see this kind of thing go?