How Periods Affect More Than Just Women

Periods extend to the LGBTQ Community much more often than we think.

Transgender, Nonbinary, and more of those who do not identify as "women" can naturally menstruate, but they are typically left out of the conversation. This can create a divide in the menstrual community for LGBTQ individuals.

Emotionally, getting periods can be tough for those who don't identify as women. Take it from Kenny Jones when he talked to SELF magazine.

"Getting a period made me feel like less of a man... in my eyes, a period was the opposite of masculine... [I] bottled it up and spoke about it with no one."

"I am happier without [periods], because my mind and body are in somewhat of an agreement, rather than battling with each other."

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Along with this, the other issues faced builds up.

Here are some quick facts:

• 1 in 5 transgender people in the U.S. have been discriminated against when seeking a home

• More than 1 in 10 have been evicted from their homes due to their identity

• 1 in 5 transgender individuals have experienced homelessness

• Around 20-40% of homeless youth is LGBTQ

Lack of access to menstrual products from homelessness, discrimination and stigma, and the costs of the products has affected the trans/nonbinary community for a long time. For menstrual activists, it is our job to open the door to include ALL menstruators when talking about periods.

So to all non-women menstruators, we love you, appreciate you, and hear you.