Elif Ozturk, a former student at Hopkins High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota, was passionate about making menstrual products available in schools. She had been advocating for this since middle school. Her efforts caught the attention of state Representative Sandra Feist, who decided to introduce a bill that would provide state-funded tampons, pads, and other menstrual products in public-school restrooms.
Feist and other legislators emphasized that students shouldn’t be expected to bring their own menstrual products to school, just like they aren’t expected to bring their own toilet paper. The bill aimed to make these essential items available for everyone who needs them, regardless of their gender.
However, the bill’s gender-neutral language led to some controversy. It didn’t specify that these products should only be in girls’ restrooms, which sparked some pushback. Feist argued that students who menstruate but don’t identify as female might face even greater challenges in accessing these products. An attempt to amend the bill to restrict the availability of the products to only girls’ restrooms was rejected.
Despite the controversy, the bill passed as part of a broader school-funding measure. In May 2023, it was signed into law by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, though the governor didn’t specifically highlight the menstrual products provision in his announcement. Instead, he focused on other aspects of the bill, such as the addition of 5,200 new Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten seats, reducing the Special Education Cross Subsidy by 50%, and providing unemployment insurance for hourly school workers. The bill also included funding for schools to hire mental health professionals and improve resources for American Indian students.
Interestingly, Governor Walz never publicly commented on Feist’s bill or the debate surrounding it. He simply signed the budget bill that the legislature presented to him. Despite this, some online commentators, particularly from the right, labeled him “Tampon Tim,” a nickname meant to mock his supposed support for transgender issues or women’s rights.
This nickname was part of a broader effort to portray the Democratic ticket as out of touch with traditional gender norms. It’s a tactic used to imply that Democrats, like Walz, are less masculine or strong because they support policies that help women or transgender individuals.
Representative Matt Gaetz, a Republican from Florida, highlighted this approach earlier this year. He suggested that while the GOP’s embrace of traditional masculinity might alienate some voters, particularly women, it could attract others, like Hispanic and Black men. However, there are far more white women than Hispanic or Black men, which could make this strategy risky.
Recent polling data shows that the gender divide in the upcoming election has widened. Trump has a strong lead among men, while Harris, who replaced Biden as the Democratic nominee, has gained significant support among women. Harris has also made strides with white voters, especially white women without a college degree.
The “Tampon Tim” nickname is less about winning over specific voters and more about reinforcing traditional gender norms within right-wing circles. It reflects a broader narrative on the right, where anything that doesn’t align with their version of masculinity is seen as weak and worthy of ridicule.
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Ultimately, the controversy boils down to the fact that Governor Walz signed a bill that included a provision to make menstrual products more accessible in schools. The goal was to help students stay in school and focus on their education, rather than worrying about basic necessities. The nickname “Tampon Tim” is just another example of how some critics use gender norms to attack their opponents, even when the underlying issue is about providing essential resources to students.
