Lyons Township High School put tampon dispensers in the boys' bathroom (L), but they were swiftly stuffed in the toilet (R) | Lyons Township H.S.
Lyons Township High School put tampon dispensers in the boys' bathroom (L), but they were swiftly stuffed in the toilet (R) | Lyons Township H.S.
A tampon and sanitary napkin dispenser for girls installed on a boys bathroom wall at Lyons Township H.S. was ripped down and stuffed in a toilet.
Photos of the dispenser, before and after, were provided by sources to West Cook News.
Boys don't use tampons or sanitary napkins because they don't have periods.
Still, Democrats in the Illinois State Legislature passed a law last year, signed by Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker, that mandates free tampons in boys bathrooms accessible in schools with students grades 4-12.
“This is really important for young menstruaters,” said sponsor State Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora).
Hernandez, a Democrat and former Kane County Board member, was appointed to the Illinois House in 2019. She endorsed Richard Irvin for Aurora Mayor; he is now running for the GOP nomination for Governor.
State Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Northlake) said the tampon machines were for girls who might be pretending to be boys that day at school.
“If you are identifying as a male and that's where the bathroom you want to go to because you feel most comfortable, you may need these products," she said.
In Oregon, Democrat Gov. Kate Brown signed a law last year requiring all schools-- including elementary, middle and high schools-- to install tampon dispensers in their boys bathrooms. Oregon was the first state to pass such a law.
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