vagina

so in the michigan house of representatives state rep. lisa brown and rep. barb byrum caused an uproar when they said the word vagina and vasectomy. the legislature is considering legislation that would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, unless a pregnant woman’s life is in danger. representative brown stated in her speech to the house “Finally, Mr. Speaker, I’m flattered that you’re all so interested in my vagina, but ‘no’ means ‘no’.”. state rep. barb byrum was silenced after she tried to introduce an amendment requiring men to prove that their life is in danger before being allowed to receive a vasectomy. after they had both said this, house speaker james bolger declared in a statement that brown and byrum could not enter the house and speak on a school employees retirement bill. bolger added that they “will not be recognized to speak on the house floor today after being gaveled down for their comments and actions yesterday that failed to maintain the decorum of the house of representatives.” at a press conference where she could speak, rep. brown declared:  “"They banned me from speaking because I dared say vagina, the correct, medical name of a part of a woman's anatomy these lawmakers are trying to regulate. I am outraged that this legislative body not only wants to dictate what women do, but what we can say.” as a reaction to what had happened to them, rep brown got tony award winner eve ensler (the creator of the vagina monologues) and other state reps to do a performance of the vagina monologues on the michigan capital steps in protest.

HOLY CRAP! talk about the power of words. the legislation can regulate a woman's body but they won't let people talk about the body part they are regulating. i'm so glad rep brown did the performance of the vagina monologues on the steps of the capital. that is an amazing protest to what they are telling her she cannot say in the house. and i think it is even more amazing that the creator of the vagina monologues, eve ensler, showed to be part of the performance - let alone other politicians.