About Tax Free. Period.

In June 2019, Period Equity and LOLA partnered to launch Tax Free. Period. Together, we set out to end the discriminatory tampon tax with a revolutionary new argument: Since the tampon tax only applies to people who menstruate, it is not just unfair, it's also a form of sex-based discrimination — and therefore unconstitutional and illegal.

Since June, Tax Free. Period. has forged a nationwide coalition of pro bono attorneys, partnered with local advocates, met with state lawmakers and government officials, and engaged the public in pledges and protests. Initial success was won! Ohio, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington, and California (thru July 2023) all did the right thing and scrapped the tampon tax.

But there is more work to be done: 30 states remain who still apply this unconstitutional tax. In 2020, Period Equity will be focused on preparing lawsuits. 21 states introduced bills this legislative session to remove or reduce the tax, but most didn’t get it done. Period Equity will be ready to challenge them in court should they delay.

About Period Equity

Recognizing Jennifer Weiss-Wolf as a leading voice for equitable menstrual policy in America—Newsweek deigned her the “architect of the U.S. campaign to squash the tampon tax”—attorney Laura Strausfeld reached out in 2016 to propose they mobilize legal action against New York State. Together with 5 plaintiffs and the law firm Emery Celli Brinkerhoff, they filed a class action lawsuit that resulted in immediate action by the state to remove its tampon tax. To continue their work together, they formed Period Equity. Weiss-Wolf’s writing continues to shape and motivate the public: her 2017 book, Periods Gone Public: Taking a Stand for Menstrual Equity was called “the beginning of liberation for us all” by Gloria Steinem.