‘Always’ Brand Removing Venus Symbol to Become Inclusive [EDITORIAL]

We are living in an era where people and companies are becoming more open-minded and educated about genders other than the typical male and female gender identity.

Procter & Gamble, which does the brand ‘Always,’ is removing their Venus symbol, which is used to describe a “female” product, like sanitary pads. Their reason for this decision is that they want to be more inclusive of those who don’t identify as female because there are transgender and gender-fluid people who don’t identify as female. It’s important to understand that just because someone doesn’t identify as female, that doesn’t mean that they don’t use sanitary products; they still need those products because they still get their period.

 Having the Venus symbol removed is a positive step for the Procter and Gamble because they are showing that they care about the trans+ community because they now will be able to feel included. The backlash that they received due to removing the Venus symbol is uncalled for; we are living in a new era where we need to start moving forward and becoming more open. The company had every right to decide to their symbol because they seem to understand that we are in 2019 and that not only cisgender women are the only ones that use sanitary products.

Removing the Venus symbol on the ‘Always’ products isn’t causing anybody harm unless they don’t do well with change, but that is still not a valid point. We need to understand that the harm that was being caused is the fact that the Venus symbol made those who don’t identify as female feel like they aren’t being represented. The Venus symbol means love, appeal, beauty, and more; these all represent what a woman is and should, but the matter is that anybody can be described as those adjectives, it doesn’t need to pertain to a specific person or group.

 What if there was a company that doesn’t cater to who you are? And what you believe? How would you feel? You’ll most likely feel out of place, feel like no one accepts you and feel like the world is against you. When there is someone or something that caters to who you are, it’s going to feel great because you’ll feel like you belong. Transgender and gender-fluid people have struggled with people and companies that don’t represent them, and this could lead them to feel depressed, angry because no one understands them. For Procter and Gamble to move forward by removing the Venus symbol, it shows that they want the trans+ community to feel like they belong, and they don’t need to feel ashamed for using their products.

The sad thing is that there’s going to be people criticizing the company, but, also, they are going to say horrible things about those who are transgender and who are gender-fluid. They have to realize that transgender and gender-fluid people are humans and that they also have feelings; they should be supportive and progressive as well. The company is already doing its part of becoming open-minded, progressive, caring, and inclusive. If the company is taking this stance to become inclusive, then people should also consider taking that lead and be welcoming.

This editorial is based on a discussion by a JAMS 504 editorial board.