ASUI introduced legislation for menstrual products on campus and requested action from the Idaho Legislature.
In a continuation of efforts from the prior semester, ASUI introduced a bill that would bring sustainable menstrual cups to the university population. Revisions to the Idaho Civil Rights Act as well as the state legislature’s definition of rape were also introduced and presented as ways to bring greater inclusivity in the state.
Menstrual cup distribution
The menstrual cup distribution bill would allocate funds for 200 menstrual cups to be purchased through Saalt’s new university program that provides students with menstrual cups at a discounted price of $9 per cup.
The cups, which range in size from extra small, regular and small, will be distributed through an educational event on menstrual cup use that will be hosted by The Women’s Center in March. Cups not distributed through the event are anticipated to be made available for private student request through The Women’s Center or future tabling events.
Director of Sustainability Olivia Niemi, who authored the bill, said that the bill’s passage would relieve a significant burden for students with limited financial support.
“One in 10 menstruating college students cannot afford pads and tampons and have to decide between buying purity products or food,” Niemi said. “Menstrual cups are an easy solution to provide for students, with the average cup lasting five years.”
With the average person spending $10 on period products each month, sustainable cups would save students a total of $600 over five years. Savings, Niemi said, would both lessen students’ financial burden and reduce their environmental footprint.
Idaho Legislature
An ASUI bill calling for the amendment of the Idaho Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity was introduced at the meeting, with this year marking 11 times since 1999 that a similar amendment has been proposed before the Idaho State Legislature.
“It’s currently legal in Idaho to fire people, not serve them or flat-out discriminate against people for being lesbian, gay, non-binary, transgender or queer,” ASUI Director of Legislative Affairs Lydia McRoberts said. “It’s just flat-out wrong that we’re still fighting for (these protections).”
Without sexual orientation and gender identity being codified into the state law, ASUI Director of Safety, Health and Wellness Abbey Rode noted that the fear of failure by state institutions to protect against discrimination is a reality for many Idahoans.
“It’s an injustice for the people of Idaho not to be protected from discrimination based on their sexual orientation, and it’s simply long overdue,” Rode said. “As a bisexual woman, I am constantly terrified that my rights will come into question or that my rights aren’t even acknowledged by the
State of Idaho.”
ASUI Vice President Katelyn Hettinga noted that these absences in the Idaho Civil Rights Act also leaves room for victims looking to pursue legal action to be left behind.
“After race and ethnicity, perceived sexual orientation and gender identity is the second largest category of hate crimes in Idaho,” Hettinga said. “Victims of these incidents do not always have the legal ability to get legal repercussions. Justice cannot be achieved until folks have civil rights in our state.”
A resolution calling for the Idaho Legislature to revise its definition of rape was also introduced Wednesday. Under the current language, rape is defined as being “penetration,” a definition that Rode described as “highly limiting.”
“This resolution is urging that the Idaho Legislature change the definition to acts of intercourse,” Rode said. “This definition is inclusive to rape of the same sex and biological women raping a man.”
Rode added that, under the current language, if a woman were to be accused of rape, they would be charged with sexual assault, a different crime with a different sentencing.
All three pieces of legislation are expected to be voted on in the upcoming ASUI meeting.
Royce McCandless can be reached at arg-news@uidaho.edu or Twitter @roycemccandless