Title: Clemson University Students Protest Removal of Menstrual Products from Men’s Bathrooms
Subtitle: Campus conservatives’ criticism sparks rally for inclusivity
Date: October 14, 2023
Clemson University students took to the streets this week to voice their dissatisfaction with the removal of menstrual products from the men’s bathrooms on campus. Around 50 students participated in the protest, organized by Take Back Pride, demanding the reinstatement of sanitary products for all students.
The removal of feminine hygiene dispensaries came after the Clemson College Republicans publicly criticized their presence on social media. The post triggered an outpouring of criticism, leading to the university quietly removing the machines. However, Take Back Pride claims the machines were vandalized with “hateful slurs towards the transgender community” before their removal.
During the protest, Pan Tankersley, a member of Take Back Pride’s march committee, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need for a safe and inclusive campus environment. Tankersley stated, “Students are still not safe on campus. They still experience harassment, hate, and all of those things. If anything, the university needs to step up and needs to protect its students.”
Another student expressed the importance of inclusivity, stating, “We demand the reinstatement of the menstrual dispensers that were unjustly removed from the men’s bathrooms at Cooper Library. Queer people on this campus are not just going to magically disappear. So instead of working against us, like taking away menstrual products from the men’s bathrooms, making people feel unwelcomed, there should be support for the community that is already fighting to feel safe here.”
The removal of these products occurred three days after the Clemson College Republicans’ controversial post, which caught the attention of April Cromer, a Republican representative in the South Carolina House. Cromer reportedly engaged with campus leaders to address the issue.
Clemson University’s Dean of Students and President of Student Affairs, Chris Miller, supported the students’ right to free speech and peaceful assembly. Miller stated, “It’s always good that our students have access to their campus. The ability to assemble and speak freely unencumbered just goes to the heart of what a university is and what a university is for.”
However, Clemson University spokesperson Joe Galbraith announced that there are currently no plans to reinstall the dispensers in the male bathrooms, further fueling the frustration among the protesters.
The removal of these menstrual products in Clemson University’s men’s bathrooms adds to the ongoing nationwide debate surrounding bathroom policies and gender identity issues. Similar situations have arisen in schools across the country, resulting in contentious lawsuits and student protests.
Just last week, the family of a teenage girl who was allegedly raped in her high school bathroom by a “male student wearing a skirt” filed a $30 million lawsuit against Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia. The incident highlights the importance of addressing safety concerns while accommodating diverse gender identities.
In September, hundreds of students in Pennsylvania walked out of school in protest over a new policy allowing transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice. This clash between students’ rights and safety concerns continues to be a contentious issue across educational institutions.
As Clemson University students rally for the return of menstrual products in men’s bathrooms, the conversation around gender inclusivity and safe spaces on campus is far from over.