Saturday meets Bloody Marys and a good cause – what’s not to love?
PEOPLE in Scotland have been invited to the first ever Bloody Big Brunch this weekend in a bid to raise awareness of period poverty with some style.
Bloody Mary drinks will be available to attendees, but instead of paying with cash, organisers have asked people to bring along a box of tampons or sanitary towels instead.
The party will feature DJ sets from Glasgow indie club night Pretty Ugly and spoken work from award-winning writer Cat Hepburn, and it has been organised to coincide with a multitude of events this week marking International Women’s Day, which fall on Thursday 8 March.
“Taxed as a non-essential luxury item, the reality is that sanitary products should be a basic essential available to all women. So we’re using an actual luxury – brunching with a Bloody Mary in hand – to shine a light on this massive issue.” Lee Beattie
Organisers hope it wil encourage people to speak openly about menstruation, and all tampons and pads received will be donated to the Trussell Trust to help women who can’t afford to buy sanitary products.
Lee Beattie, Director of Wire, the creative agency behind the event, said: “Aunt Flo, the blob, on the rag – we all have our nicknames for that time of the month. But it’s time to remove the taboo of talking about periods so we can talk about period poverty.”
“Taxed as a non-essential luxury item, the reality is that sanitary products should be a basic essential available to all women. So we’re using an actual luxury – brunching with a Bloody Mary in hand – to shine a light on this massive issue that lots of people – women and men – don’t know much about.
“Nobody should feel shame about menstruation, nor should they have to resort to uncomfortable substitutes or no sanitary products at all. By getting bloody talking over a Bloody Mary, we can start helping those in need – and putting pressure on the government for change.”
The Trussell Trust has reported that women attend foodbanks seeking sanitary products due to financial difficulties, with those affected having often reverted to using old clothes, toilet paper and newspapers as alternative solutions.
“These donations will help make sure women can preserve their dignity in times of crisis – thank you.” Garry Lemon
In Scotland there has been strong grassroots and political campaigning in recent times in a bid to end period poverty for women by providing free sanitary products.
Garry Lemon, head of external affairs at the Trussel Trust said: “We know that people coming to foodbanks haven’t got money for food, so it’s unlikely they’ll have money to buy essentials like sanitary products. These donations will help make sure women can preserve their dignity in times of crisis – thank you.”
The event will take place in The Wee Guy’s Café in Glasgow (51 Cochrane Street) between 12pm and 4pm – non-alcoholic Virgin Bloody Marys will also be available – and those who cannot attend are being encouraged to host their Bloody Big Brunch at home.
Picture courtesy of Wear Wire
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