Meta Removes Tampons From Men’s Bathrooms Amid Policy Changes

Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook and CEO of Meta, has been making waves with a series of bold, controversial moves that signal a significant shift in his stance on cultural and political issues. His latest decision, however, has set social media ablaze and drawn both praise and criticism: removing tampons from men’s bathrooms across Meta offices in Silicon Valley, Texas, and New York.

This development is part of broader changes Zuckerberg has implemented, which include removing transgender and nonbinary themes from Meta’s Messenger chat app and scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The decisions have sparked a flurry of reactions online, ranging from humorous memes to heated debates about workplace inclusivity.

Mark Zuckerberg’s recent decisions have come after what many describe as a significant ideological shift. Following the 2024 presidential election, which saw Donald Trump’s resounding victory over Kamala Harris, Zuckerberg has taken steps to align Meta more closely with conservative values.

Notable changes have included eliminating far-left “fact-checkers,” opening Meta’s doors to more conservative employees, and even donating to Trump’s inaugural fund. But the removal of tampons from men’s bathrooms has emerged as a particularly contentious topic.

According to a report from The New York Times, the tampons were initially provided for nonbinary and transgender employees who might require sanitary products while using men’s facilities. However, the directive to remove them, reportedly issued Tuesday, has fueled debates about whether this decision reflects a retreat from inclusivity or a return to practicality.

The decision has generated a firestorm of reactions on X (formerly Twitter), where users mocked the move with memes and sarcastic commentary.

One user quipped, “BREAKING: Tampon Tim has just cancelled his Facebook app,” referencing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Another joked, “If Facebook can take the tampons out of the men’s washrooms, so can the Canadian Armed Forces.”

The reactions didn’t stop there:

• “Having a son, grandsons, and a husband, I feel sure if the bathroom was out of toilet paper, they would use those. And that’s probably what Meta found out too,” speculated one user.
• Another meme suggested, “Trump tells Zuckerberg he’s only getting off the hook if he sends all his tampons to Tim Walz.”

While some responses leaned toward humor, others criticized the move as a step backward in supporting transgender and nonbinary employees.

Zuckerberg’s removal of tampons is not the only controversial decision he has made recently. In what has been described as a “complete 180” from his earlier positions, Meta has scrapped all DEI programs, signaling a shift toward meritocracy-based hiring practices.

In a memo issued by Janelle Gale, Meta’s Vice President of Human Resources, the company outlined changes to hiring, development, and procurement practices. These changes are designed to eliminate what critics have described as “reverse discrimination” against white and Asian candidates.

“Meritocracy is at the heart of innovation,” Gale wrote, emphasizing that the company’s goal is to ensure the best candidates are hired, regardless of race, gender, or background.

Meta’s decision to dismantle DEI programs makes it the largest corporation in the U.S. to do so, marking a potential turning point in how companies approach diversity initiatives.

For many, these changes at Meta are emblematic of a broader cultural pushback against progressive policies in corporate America. By scaling back DEI initiatives and removing tampons from men’s restrooms, Zuckerberg appears to be aligning Meta with a more traditionalist approach to workplace policies.

Critics argue that these moves alienate marginalized groups and fail to account for the lived experiences of nonbinary and transgender individuals. Supporters, however, see these changes as a long-overdue correction to what they perceive as the excesses of woke culture.

Mark Zuckerberg’s recent policy shifts have undoubtedly cemented his reputation as one of the most polarizing figures in tech. While his earlier years as Facebook’s leader were marked by efforts to champion progressive causes, his recent pivot suggests a calculated response to changing cultural and political tides.

For better or worse, these decisions will likely have a lasting impact on Meta’s workplace culture and public image. Whether this shift signals a broader trend in Silicon Valley or remains an outlier, Zuckerberg’s actions have once again thrust him—and Meta—into the center of the cultural zeitgeist.

As the debates rage on, one thing is clear: Mark Zuckerberg is not afraid to make bold moves, even if they spark controversy.