Sponge Bob Square Pants has competition.
Via MRC:
DC-based artist Cass Clemmer wants to destigmatize periods. But, in the process, she wants to “de-gender” them as well.
Growing up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Clemmer hit puberty in a society that kept mum about menstruation and the biology behind it. Because of her personal experience, she sought to stop that silence, while also shining a light on the “men” who get periods too.
To achieve that goal, she created the character “Toni” — a literal tampon with googly eyes — and started posting photos of it to her Instagram account. The project soon developed into a coloring book. Called The Adventures of Toni the Tampon, the book has a full range of feminine product characters, including Marina the Menstrual Cup, Patrice the Pad and Sebastian the Sponge.
But wait. “Feminine products” is the wrong term. That’s exclusive.
As Mashable’s Katie Dupere reminded her readers: “Sebastian the Sponge is a man. And yes, men do get periods.”
As it turns out, Clemmer intentionally chose a gender-ambiguous name for her book’s protagonist, as a way to “affirm all menstruators.”
HY: Perry