Opening Hymn #57 All Beautiful the March of Days
~)-| Words: Frances Whitmarsh Wile, 1878-1939
Music: English melody, arr. by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958
used by perm. of Oxford University Press
Tune FOREST GREEN

Community Unitarian Universalist Church of White Plains

Time for All Ages

Red is the Colour – Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022

Sermon – Period Piece – Rev. Rod

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Last November, I spoke about one of the lesser-known international observances: World Toilet Day.  And we explored how, even though that day of observance may seem to have a somewhat comical undertone, it deals with serious issues of access to sanitation as a matter of public health, a factor in public safety, an exercise in social equity, and a recognition of personal dignity.

I shared at the time how, as a kid, I had been too embarrassed to ask my dad about how toilets worked or how they were invented… even though he had always been willing to explain to me the stories of invention – and the mechanics behind – things like Velcro, dynamite, and the telegraph.  And one could argue that sanitation and plumbing technologies have been just as – or even more – impactful advances for society as those other inventions.

Yesterday, May 28 was a similar lesser-known international observance: Menstrual Hygiene Day.

Now, waste sanitation and menstrual hygiene are not quite the same thing, which is why international health organisations feature these matters separately.  These two topics do, however, share some important overlaps.  Both deal with matters that are often taboo and are therefore not spoken about as often as other important subjects of social concern.  And… speaking about them is precisely the kind of life-saving practice that we could do with doing more of.

And matters of menstrual hygiene also impact public health and safety, as well as social equity and personal dignity.

Now, in many ways, I’m not the best person to be talking about this subject.  As a person who doesn’t menstruate – never have and don’t ever expect to – I have very limited capacity to speak about this experience with any authority.  Many of you will already have a much deeper understanding about that experience than I ever will, so I’ll do my best to avoid saying things that might already be painfully obvious to what is likely a majority of you.  And to be clear, I’m not looking to give specific health lessons or a how-to guide on hygiene – I’m rather looking to invite deeper exploration on the meaning of some of the conversations we’d do well to have more of.

Because, in some other ways, I may be precisely the kind of person who needs to speak about this subject more, insofar as I can be a collaborator and an ally in raising greater awareness about the importance of this conversation – especially for other folks who do not share in the experience of menstruation, and who might, therefore, not immediately share the same level of investment in that matter, as the people who have more direct experience with it.

Now, you might have noticed that I’ve been using the phrase “people – or persons – who menstruate”, rather than saying “women”.  And that is because we recognize that not all people who menstruate identify as women.  There are people with other gender identities who are in this category, so we honour that.  Conversely, there are women who do not, have not, or no longer menstruate, including trans women.

That’s not to say that there isn’t a largely gendered dimension to menstrual hygiene – it’s simply worth being mindful of who we are including in this conversation.

Also, my use of the word “menstruation” so often from the pulpit today, might have some of you on edge, and I admit that I feel some awkwardness about doing so myself.  It’s OK to notice this discomfort, as that is a step toward confronting that discomfort.

As it happens, it was through interactions with toilets that I was first exposed to some of the realities of menstruation.  As a child, I remember visiting a household bathroom and finding that… something hadn’t quite fully flushed.  Seeing red, I burst out of the bathroom wondering if something was seriously the matter with one of the family members that had previously used the bathroom.  And that is how I was first offered some calm explanations of what I had seen, and that it was entirely normal.  This happened more than once during my childhood, and I remember that it was useful for me to hear the explanation a few times to truly get the sense that this really was normal.  I should note that it was often the adult women in my childhood that took on this educational task. 

As an adult, and as a non-menstruating person, I continue to be grateful when I’m invited into this kind of conversation by the people who do.  It can sometimes feel awkward – I get a sense that I need to take off my shoes, as I tread on holy ground – I remind myself that I need to use caution in what I say, and more importantly, how I listen to these experiences, and offer support when I can and am asked to do so.

I have found it quite affirming that, where I live, many people who menstruate are indeed comfortable – or at least, comfortable enough – with speaking openly about that experience.  I am also mindful, that we are less likely to hear from the people who continue to feel uncomfortable about the matter due to shame or embarrassment, which is why I look be among the people who model bringing this up from time to time – when appropriate – because I see the importance for everyone in the general population to develop some sense of comfort in discussing menstrual hygiene and awareness about its related issues.

Failing to do so can lead to our larger society making uninformed decisions that affect a specific set of people… decisions that may be made by people who might not feel affected by those decisions.

Lately, there has been a resurgence of debate around reproductive choice.  And some of this debate sometimes reveals a lack of understanding about the lived experience of menstruation, and about what its related timelines can mean in matters of pregnancy.  I won’t go too much into that discussion today, as this can be quite an involved conversation in itself – only to say that public policy about sexual and reproductive health requires accurate understandings about biological processes that some of us may be less familiar with, including menstrual hygiene.

Beyond the health and social implications, there are the economic and environmental dimensions.  Over the past few days, I’ve run into a few news articles about the economics of menstruation in Canada, perhaps precisely because Menstrual Hygiene Day is in the calendar.

A major theme that I’ve seen in this reporting is that a number of government entities have been paying more attention to the issue that has been labeled period poverty, stemming from the additional costs of menstrual hygiene products, that some people find difficult to afford.  Public measures have been in different stages of implementation, from reducing or removing sales taxes on menstrual hygiene products, to subsidizing their cost, or even offering these for free, in some instances.

Awareness drives change.  Awareness demolishes barriers to inclusion.

There is also a growing industry around new menstrual hygiene products that aim to reduce economic and environmental impacts, by being reusable, from menstrual cups, to reusable pads, to washable period underwear, and even period swimsuits.  I can’t speak directly to the efficacy of these products, but I have heard and read reviews that many of these can be surprisingly effective and often preferable to the more traditional products.  The main aim for these has been to expand comfort and choice, as well as sustainability and affordability in the long run.

Awareness drives change.  Awareness demolishes barriers to inclusion.

There has also been a movement around expanding paid leave to cover days when the experience of menstruation may make attending work difficult.  There is some controversy around this, which I don’t feel qualified to comment about responsibly, but the fact that this discussion is happening tells me that a drive to reduce stigma and economic barriers is taking a greater foothold.

Awareness drives change.  Awareness demolishes barriers to inclusion.

Indeed, removing systemic barriers to inclusion is a major reason why this conversation, uncomfortable as it may sometimes be, is important for us to be part in, including by those of us who do not menstruate.

One roommate of mine had a practice of laying out a basket of disposable menstrual hygiene products on the tank of the toilet in our shared bathroom.  She didn’t use these particular products, but wanted to ensure that any guests who might need them would have minimal barriers to access them.  And even if our guests ended up not needing them at all, her practice also bore witness to intentional inclusion – effectively telling our guests: “you are welcome here, no matter your experience”.

I must have internalized part of this lesson from that roommate, because every once in a while, when I’m looking through my backpack or satchel, I still run into spare menstrual hygiene products that I packed at some point, just in case someone around me was in need of them.  I don’t know that I’ll ever be asked, but it looks like I might just be prepared to respond if I am.

My friends, awareness drives change, and awareness demolishes barriers to inclusion.

My friends, awkwardness and discomfort in difficult conversations is normal.  Identifying and confronting this discomfort, is a step in reducing it.

My friends, in this community, these conversations have a place.

So may it be,
Taking of our shoes, in the spirit of inclusion,
Amen

Copyright © 2022 Rodrigo Emilio Solano-Quesnel

Closing Hymn #108 My Life Flows On in Endless Song
Words: Traditional, Verse 3 by Doris Plenn
Music: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899
Tune SINGNG

First Unitarian Church of Chicago (17 May, 2020)

Opening Hymn #182 O, the Beauty in a Life
~)-| Words: Based on a text by Bishop Toribio Quimada
Music: Traditional Visayan (Filipino) folk tune
Tune QUIMADA

Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines, Rev. Tet Gallardo (15 May, 2021)

Sermon – Just Words – Rev. Rod

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Read: [Printable PDF document available for download]

My Old Testament professor happened to be an ordained Anglican priest.  Like most of my seminary professors, she was not a biblical literalist.  She understood that much of the scripture, if divinely inspired, is full of legend, allegory, and mythical imagery.  It uses literary devices and styles, like fable, simile, allusion, epic poetry, erotic poetry, lyrical poetry.

She emphasized that those who recorded the words of the ancient prophets, and who put down the words of the gospels did not have microphones and recording devices lying around.  And neither dessert wanderers nor disciples were walking around with video cameras, documenting each event with timestamps, nor notarizing affidavits.  Scripture might give witness to some history, but it is not, generally speaking, a historical record.

She would nonetheless cringe if she heard any of the students say something like: “Oh, so this is ‘just’ a metaphor then?” or “That is ‘just’ a symbol?”

No – she would retort – it isn’t ‘just’ any of those things.  It may be metaphor – yes.  It may use simile – yes.  It may make use of symbolism – yes.  And they aren’t ‘just’ that.  There are deep truths to be found in these, not despite, but often through these narrative devices.

Symbols can tell a whole story in a single image – we often light one on Sunday mornings.  Metaphors and similes can make a complex concept more accessible.  Perhaps paradoxically, using some abstraction in language can make some ideas feel more concrete and palpable, by using relatable words and images, which make more intuitive sense.  A plant germinating, for instance, is the story of spring and rebirth – it isn’t “just” a symbol… it is an entire container for the story of life.

These words can be powerful.  They aren’t “just” words.

Thought they may, in fact, often be just words – that is to say, words for justice.

Indeed, a prevailing theme in the books named after prophets is justice.  And naming this prophetic imperative is the foundation behind many of the great religious traditions of which we are a part.

Of course, it is easy to point out the limitations of words.  One truth that is often spoken is that actions speak louder than words.  It is perhaps fitting that this particular bit of wisdom is expressed, appropriately enough, through words by which to express the need for impactful action.  Indeed, it is often through words that we can find the direction, the focus, the inspiration, to pursue the action.

There are times when we invoke some of these stories in our community.  We particularly recount these words around Easter, Christmas, and a few other times throughout the year, as they can offer us space for contemplation and insight – an invitation to consider the world with new perspectives, or to remember aspects of our faith that bring us together, such as the invitation to recognize an incarnation of divinity in humanity – to affirm and promote an inherent worth and dignity in every person; or to find the seed of resurrection and rebirth after times of despair or sorrow.

These words matter.

There are times when we wouldn’t be faulted for using, only words as our action.  At other times, actions without the accompanying words, might feel incomplete.  On days like today, in which many of you recognize the work of nurturing parenthood that is often labeled motherhood – or in which your own identity as mothers might be celebrated – you may partake in both words and actions that recognize these family ties.  Some of you may have a special brunch, or outing, or other family activity.  And these actions might be incomplete without the appropriate words.  These are often words of gratitude, words of affirmation, words of fondness – thank you, well done, I love you.

(Sometimes there is a need for more complicated words, as these relationships can have complex layers.)

And sometimes the accompanying actions aren’t possible… yet, or anymore.  And the words can still be there – a card, a call, a candle, a prayer.

These aren’t “just” words.  They are just words.

And they are also not the only words and actions.  They are but a glimpse of a larger relationship over a year and a lifetime.  There have been and there may be other times to share these words and to have done and maybe still do the actions that these words invite.

A bit over a month ago, at the end of March, several delegations from the Indigenous peoples that are represented in Canada, visited the Vatican City.  These delegations included First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, including survivors, and descendants of survivors, from the Indian residential school system – the outcomes of which are coming into much wider awareness over the past year.  They spent some time visiting with Pope Francis and sharing their experiences and the experiences of their families and people.  Through their words, they bore witness to a shared truth of pain, of resilience, of anger, of healing, and of appeal to justice.

Mothers spoke about losing their children – sometimes for months, sometimes for years, and sometimes… forever.  Grown children spoke about missing their mothers, and of missing out on much-needed nurturing love.  These are powerful words that have been offered to us.  These words were also given to the Pope, as the embodied representative of one of the major bodies that was complicit in that injustice.

On April 1^st, Pope Francis offered some humble words – an apology.  He recognized the hurt carried out by the institution that he leads, and the hurt felt by the peoples that he heard from.  He named the injustice.  He assumed responsibility.  He asked for forgiveness.  He pledged to do better.

These weren’t “just” words, they were just words.  Words heading in the direction of justice.  And they were largely well received by the Indigenous delegations, among whom many had been waiting for just these words for decades.

To be sure, among many Indigenous peoples, there remains an expectation for more – for more words in that direction, for more words toward other concrete steps in a conciliatory practice, and… for other actions in the interest of justice.  There is an appeal for steps beyond words.

And there is a recognition that these words were important, perhaps necessary, for the other steps to take place.  Without those words spoken in April, it might have been difficult for other action to come about.  These words weren’t “just” a symbol – they were symbolic.  They marked a new stage in a long and complicated process.

My friends, in our community, we value the power of language – of words – alongside the power of action.

Our stories, my friends, are never “just” stories – they are witness.  Our conversations are not “just” conversations, they are connection.  Our presence with each other (however it may look) is not “just” showing up, it is support and celebration.

My friends, may we have good words with each other, that they may lead to good works.

So may it be,
And so may we say,
Amen

Copyright © 2022 Rodrigo Emilio Solano-Quesnel

Closing Hymn #187 It Sounds Along the Ages
~)-| Words: William Channing Gannett, 1840-1923
Music: Melody of the Bohemian Brethren, Hemlandssånger, Rock Island, Illinois, 1892, arr.
Tune FAR OFF LANDS

Unitarian Universalist Church of Utica (27 February, 2021)