Feminists are outraged by the decision of ALWAYS sanitary products getting rid of their Venus logo (♀) as a response to trans rights campaigners. The first spark of change came from 18 year old activist Ben Sanders, from U.K. According to Newsweek, Sanders was named "Campaigner Of The Year" by the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall back in May. Melly Boom another trans activist added on Twitter, "Why it was imperative to have the female symbol on their sanitary products?" Snopes.com reports, many representative of the transgender movement believe ALWAYS products exclude trans men and non-binary individuals. Making the argument not all individuals that use the product identify themselves as female. Allegedly after consideration and analyzing the situation Procter & Gamble ( P&G), the company behind the always brand, decided to remove the Venus symbol  (♀) from ALWAYS wrapping starting in December 2019 and new packaging without the symbol would began in January 2020.
Although many feel like "Transgender Lobby" organization "forced" or "bullied" Procter & Gamble in changing their packaging, the company stands by it's decision. Many women and feminist feels like the removal of the Venus symbol (♀)  is just the first step of erasing women. After the announcement was made this October the hashtag #BOYCOTTALWAYS movement begun - first on Twitter. Series of tweets below shows the backlash of (P&G) decision making;

ddb@ddsussex

@Always Removing powerful female symbols from sanitary products to accommodate the activism of an infinitesimally small number of men is the ultimate misogyny. There is nothing empowering or inclusive about erasing women and girls from the story of menstruation.

That Big Old Moon  @Bigoldsupermoon

I've been buying @Always since I started my periods, over 20 years ago.

I won't be buying them again.

View image on Twitter

ANY GENDER CAN GET THEIR PERIOD.
ANY GENDER CAN GET THEIR PERIOD.
ANY GENDER CAN GET THEIR PERIOD.
ANY GENDER CAN GET THEIR PERIOD.
ANY GENDER CAN GET THEIR PERIOD.
ANY GENDER CAN GET THEIR PERIOD.
ANY GENDER CAN GET THEIR PERIOD.
#NationalPeriodDay

— Ericka Hart (She/ They) (@iHartEricka) October 19, 2019

Although i do identify myself as a feminist, i would be taking a backseat in the #BOYCOTTALWAYS movement. The LGBTQ+ community came a long way, as far as rights. Something small as a symbol that me personally never recognize, and i do use the ALWAYS product myself, is not important to me. I do not feel P&G decision is a way of "erasing women," i believe it a way to embrace all women and individuals in the world.

 

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