Don't Say "Period" Bill Proposed in Florida

A new bill introduced in Florida would ban girls from talking about their period in school before sixth grade.

If you are a true advocate for free speech, this would infuriate you.

First, Florida bans any kind of discussion of sexuality with the bill widely known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Now, lawmakers are pushing to end the conversations regarding menstrual cycles. What’s next?

Periods are natural and normal. Women’s bodies should not be a taboo subject. From a young age, girls are taught that a period is something to be embarrassed about. It’s not a subject to bring up around others, especially men.

Why is the menstrual cycle, something completely natural in young women, deemed inappropriate for children?

This bill would completely contradict what medical providers have advised, which is talking to children about puberty and the changes their body will go through before it actually happens.

I know several women that started their period before entering middle school. What about those children?

How are you protecting them?

They are most likely confused about what is happening to their bodies, and they should not be punished for speaking about the subject.

Why should Florida State representative Stan McClain, and other men like him, have the power to tell women where and when to talk about their bodies? It’s 2023. It’s a hard to believe that something like this would be an issue this day and age. This bill should not even be a discussion. If these young women want to discuss this very natural change in their bodies, they should be able to do so without fear of retaliation.

It is revolting that a grown man feels the need to tell elementary school girls what they can and cannot talk about, especially involving a topic as normal as their periods.

It’s beyond time to break the stigma surrounding periods. They’re not gross. They’re not something we should be ashamed of. They’re normal. They are natural.

To young women everywhere: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You have every right to know what is happening inside your body. Don’t let some old, rich men take that away from you.