OPINION:
The other day the Times reported that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had to educate Republican members of Congress about menstruation (“AOC accuses GOP lawmakers of ’killing women and pregnant people,’” Web, June 26). She is quoted as saying, “What this is about is controlling women’s bodies and controlling people who are not cisgender men. This is about making sure that someone like me as a woman, or any menstruating person in this country cannot make decisions over their own body … “
I am perplexed and suppose I need an education, too. First, I looked up the word “cisgender” in my American Heritage Dictionary and couldn’t find it (although admittedly the book is quite old). Second, as a man, I frankly haven’t thought that much about menstruation, but I thought that only women menstruated. Apparently I’m wrong.
Who are these other menstruating persons? I have noticed that the term “community” is used a lot in our vernacular. Is there a community of menstruating persons that are not women? If so, who are they and how can I identify them? Like many people who share a common identity, have they formed an affinity group?
This is groundbreaking stuff. I hope an enterprising reporter will pursue this story because I am sure that there are many others like me who simply didn’t know. We are so fortunate to have such an enlightened public servant bring this vital information to our attention.
RON PHIPPS
Annapolis, Maryland
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