Yesterday, the members of the UK Parliament voted 305 to 287 against removing a VAT on women’s sanitary items, because they’re deemed—and I’m going to try not to burst out laughing as I type this—”non-essential, luxury items.” BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA. OK, I couldn’t do it.
What’s hilarious, is that this vote was carried primarily by people who can’t even say the word tampon. Labour MP Stella Creasy (one of 191 female MPs, out of a total 650 members of parliament), who’s been an opponent of this “tampon tax,” did manage to get one of her male colleagues to say the word “tampon,” which was a victory in and of itself during a debate where things like tampons and maxi pads are referred to exclusively as “products.”
We are now debating the tampon tax – I say tampon tax..we are trying to help bill cash learn to say tampon and not ‘product’ …;-) — stellacreasy (@stellacreasy) October 26, 2015
However, she made her displeasure with the result of the vote known, as did Labour MP Paula Sherriff, who said, “Frankly, VAT on tampons is the vagina added tax.”
Needless to say, women in the UK were not pleased. Although, many were really funny about it:
This is the definition of luxury. Sanitary products are NOT a luxury item. #tampontax pic.twitter.com/WqnNeoruOz
— Kim McGuinness (@KiMcGuinness) October 26, 2015
Felt like treating myself to a little luxury item today #tampontax pic.twitter.com/llK1NU0Aa4 — Kay Sidebottom (@KaySocLearn) October 26, 2015
The problem with all this, of course, is that there’s no equivalent “men-only” item that is taxed in this way. That hasn’t kept people from trying to come up with them:
@stellacreasy @Gus_Harriador @HautSpot Clearasil ?.
— Paul Kingsley (@PaulKingsley16) October 27, 2015
@stellacreasy @Gus_Harriador @HautSpot engagement ring? — james atkins (@jamesatkins) October 27, 2015
@stellacreasy @Gus_Harriador @HautSpot a jock strap?
— Tom Simpson (@prestwicktom) October 27, 2015
Now, a lot of these guys were clearly joking, knowing that there’s no equivalent, and so taxing the one thing women need on a monthly basis and need to change several times a day that is not “non-essential” or “luxurious” is clearly gender discrimination. Other men, however…
@Jess_Munro @stellacreasy @HautSpot You don’t get to establish the parameters. Q for you. Ratio of women / men who died front line WWII? — Gustavo (@Gus_Harriador) October 27, 2015
@Gus_Harriador @stellacreasy @HautSpot ??? Wtf does that have to do with anything?
— Jess (@Jess_Munro) October 27, 2015
@Jess_Munro @stellacreasy @HautSpot Equality. You only scream it when it suits. — Gustavo (@Gus_Harriador) October 27, 2015
Oh, Gustavo. Playing the “more of us died in World War II” card. (Is that even a card? ‘Cause I didn’t realize that was a card. And if it is, let’s count up the civilian women on all sides who were killed/raped/otherwise abused during WWII and compare numbers then.)
In any case, The “tampon tax” will next be brought up the European Commission, according to a UK Treasury minister. Hopefully things will change there. Otherwise, period-having people will have no alternative than to show how “essential” tampons and maxi pads are…by bleeding on people’s shoes. That’ll teach ’em.
(via Buzzfeed, image via Catherine Bebbington)
—Please make note of The Mary Sue’s general comment policy.—
Do you follow The Mary Sue on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, & Google +?
