Every so often, I get the question: who is The Red Tent for? Menstruation and vulva-centric education tend to lead to questions on who is welcome in the tent, and to that I answer—everyone.

BODY LITERACY IS FOR EVERY BODY

In the Red Tent, we have had young children, teenagers, adults, parents, grandparents of all genders come to learn. The main qualifier for entering the tent is not based on what is in your pants, but your own curiosity and eagerness to learn.

Of course, when people think of The Red Tent, they may think this education is directed to pre-teen girls approaching their first period. This is only a small portion of the education we offer!

Some other reasons you may consider visiting The Red Tent:

You are a dad, brother, uncle, or grandpa trying to support a family member’s health
You are a teacher trying to combat outdated information about reproductive health
You are entering menopause and don’t know what to expect
You are a trans youth looking for support on gender-affirming period care
You are someone who is experiencing cycle related mental health concerns (PMDD, PME, etc.)
You’re a business owner or HR professional looking for advice on menopause and menstrual policies
And many more!

EXPERIENCING BODY PRIDE

As we celebrate Pride Month, let’s also talk about body pride. Educating ourselves on menstruation and reproductive health can also help us embody body pride, and pride for one another.

Historically and presently, menstruation and the body has been framed as something to NOT be proud of. Think about it— many of us grew up whispering about periods. We learned tricks from our friends on how to hide period products. We debated on whether tampons or pads were more socially acceptable, or if we would be bullied for one or the other.

Outside of menstruation, body shame is something that is widely instilled in youth still. How many of us have been told to “sit like a lady,” “suck in your tummy” or to perform our genders in a certain way that makes people more comfortable?

Body pride is a part of reproductive and gender liberation. If we educate ourselves on our bodies, we begin to trust ourselves more. We take back our power in understanding ourselves, and are less likely to find validation or understanding or “next fix” for our body shame in harmful narratives, influencers, or companies. We bring the power back to ourselves and our communities.

So how do we start experiencing body pride:

Start reading up on your body! Some of my favorite books include Red Moon Gang by Tara Costello and Genderqueer Menopause by Lasara Firefox Allen
Give gratitude to your body. Take time each morning to thank a new body part. What does it do for you? How would your life be different without it?
Wear clothes that make your body feel good
Explore menstrual products that suit your body best, and allow you to feel comfortable (Aisle and Revol Cares both carry a variety of period undies from thongs to boxer briefs)
Track your cycle using a calendar or an app (my favorite is: Clue)
Book a consult with Heather or visit The Red Tent at the Saturday Farmer’s Market at Quaker Square
Check out these resources and creators for the queer community: