Movement against ‘period tax’ grows

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Margo Seibert and Natalie Brasington don’t think women should have to pay a “period tax,” and like a growing number of other women, they are publicly questioning whether being female in the U.S. carries unfair costs.

The pair are among five New York City women who filed a lawsuit last week arguing that it is unconstitutional for the state to levy sales tax on tampons and sanitary napkins while offering medical-product exemptions to many other items used by both genders, such as lip balm, foot powder and dandruff shampoo.

The case, they say, is about more than the few cents in tax levied on each pack.

Sick of the social taboo and frustrated by a lack of access for some to a staple, these women and others are talking very publicly about menstruation and gaining political traction that would have been impossible a generation ago.

A national push to abolish sales tax on tampons is gathering steam, led by social media campaigns such as #periodswithoutshame. At least seven states are considering legislation.