PRETTIERTHANPINK NEHAALI

lifetime. When New York state eliminated its “pink” tax, it expected to lose $14 million annually.

For states with even larger populations, this could amount to more than $50 million annually a major source of revenue for states with smaller economies. In June 2022, the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, Dan Patrick, called for the state to spend $50 million to buy bulletproof shields for school police. Time and time again, elected officials have shown that protecting women has never been at the forefront of their agendas. Eradicating the period tax is necessary for this country to move forward in its path toward equity for all.

Access to menstrual health is not simply a women’s issue it’s a public health issue. Every person in America, regardless of their race, income, or sex, should have the ability to purchase necessary goods without an additional tax being imposed. Menstrual products should be affordable, and with it, we need to support increased education, reduction of harmful gender norms, and adequate water and sanitation facilities where those who menstruate live (news flash: we’re everywhere).

There is hope. In June 2019, the founders of the reproductive health brand Lola partnered with the nonprofit organization Period Equity to create the campaign “Tax-Free. Period.” Their goal was to inform citizens about the radical pink tax and ask them to join in the movement to eradicate it. On the campaign’s website, users can navigate an interactive map, which shows not only which states continue to uphold the tax, but also which items are tax-free in those same states. For example, the map shows that gun club memberships in Wisconsin are not taxed, while tampons are. Once again, the government has shown who and what they prioritize: namely, rich, white, cis men.

In 2022, CVS became the first major retailer to help combat the government’s “pink” tax. The corporation announced that it would pay the tax for customers in 12 states.