Silenced (Michigan) legislator to perform '(The Vagina) Monologues' on Capitol steps

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit News

June 15, 2012 at 1:00 am
Silenced legislator to perform 'Monologues' on Capitol steps
By Serena Maria Daniels
The Detroit News


Just days after a state lawmaker was silenced for referring to her vagina on the state House floor, she and other female state legislators will join Tony Award-winning playwright Eve Ensler for a special performance of her famed play "The Vagina Monologues" on Monday on the Capitol steps in Lansing.

State Rep. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, and Sen. Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, will perform from 6-8 p.m. with Ensler along with seven other state lawmakers and local actors.

"Censoring a woman for saying a word that is a body part that 51% of their constituents have is a repression that we have not and should not ever witness in this country," Ensler said in a news release Friday.GOP leaders banned Brown from speaking on the House floor after she referred to her vagina during a debate on new abortion restrictions.

"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," said Brown in a news release. "I'm outraged that there are Michigan legislators that not only want to dictate what women can do, but what we can say."



Read more: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120615/METRO/206150449#ixzz1xveLyJWf

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Be sure to visit the link above.

And then, there's this one:
https://www.facebook.com/events/268583796582574

[Suich]

1. This is gonna be FUN!!!

[MADem]

2. "Vagina" will be the LEAST of those Republicans' worries!!!

Anyone who has seen the Monologues will realize that they say words that can't be said here at DU -- and they say 'em with GUSTO...and even insist that the audience repeat them, loudly, as well!

The news media editors will have some work to do with the B roll!

[loyalsister]

3. There are a lot to choose from

I doubt they will perform that one or "better than tax law"

[MADem]

4. Two hours, and all those legislators, plus actors? Plus Eve Ensler herself?

I think they just might be going for the ... errr...full monty!

I think it would be grand, actually.

[loyalsister]

20. I think they probably are aware

of the fact that the monologues that sexualize the vagina and taking on the ownership of language that offends a significant number of people wouldn't be bold- just stupid.
Eve Ensler is a smart enough woman to know that the full scope of the Vagina Monologues would be so controversial as to defeat the purpose.

[MADem]

22. We'll see. I think if adult male legislators haven't figured out what it's for, no wonder they're

in such a bad mood. If they can't handle an Obie-Award winning play, that's their problem.

Perhaps a lesson in the form of a monologue or three would get them on the right track--or at least give them a sense of what they might be missing!


This report says they are doing a special performance of the Vagina Monologues--not excerpts, unless that's what the "special" bit means. Time will tell, I guess. There will be at least ten people participating...

Just days after a state lawmaker was silenced for referring to her vagina on the state House floor, she and other female state legislators will join Tony Award-winning playwright Eve Ensler for a special performance of her famed play "The Vagina Monologues" on Monday on the Capitol steps in Lansing.

State Rep. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, and Sen. Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, will perform from 6-8 p.m. with Ensler along with seven other state lawmakers and local actors.

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120616/POLITICS02/206160347#ixzz1xz1KuPY2

[loyalsister]

25. I believe there is one that is particularly relative to this situation

That would be the one about giving birth. The issue here is that legislators is that they have a misogynistic over sexualized view of the vagina.

I really hope the goal is to leave them dumbfounded because they understand not because they don't.

[MADem]

26. They have to be willing to learn! I'm not hopeful--I wouldn't be surprised if they run screaming!

Here's the thing, though--if their CONSTITUENTS learn, then maybe they'll decide they want someone a bit smarter representing them!

[loyalsister]

27. Hopefully the media will cover it extensively

NOT because of controversies stirred up by monologues people aren't intellectually mature enough to understand.

But to call attention to the fact that those republican legislators only view the vessel of their children's births as a sexual organ.

[MADem]

29. Yep. The play's author won a Tony. The play won best new play.

Anyone who doesn't get the whole picture here, and why the play is being presented on the steps of the capitol, will step in it big time if they dare say a word!

[loyalsister]

33. I hope you are correct if they go that route

But, I think you overestimate the influence of a tony award.

[MADem]

35. It doesn't hurt that we're days away from the television awards program.

They're gonna feel some "national" heat, as well they should--it's what happens when someone does something really dumb on a local or state level!

[RayStar]

24. Absolutely

This will be BEAUTIFUL.

[Smilo]

5. Brilliant - what a great way

to educate those silly little boys who can't bring themselves to know correct anatomical names.

You can just imagine those boys in the bathroom talking about their pee-pees and women's unmentionables.

Would love to be there - hope it is a huge success.

[CTyankee]

9. why would these a'holes use vagina when they would prefer the "c" word? Or the "p" word?

And we all know that they do...

[gauguin57]

6. Take that, GOPeeps!

(oops. I said peep.)

[Bozita]

7. Look what I found on the Facebook page linked in the OP...

Sally Wright Day
Common Language Bookstore in Ann Arbor is selling T-shirts with "I ? Michigan Vaginas" imprinted on them.
34 minutes ago
Amy Britain, Kimberly Barnard Lamb and 2 others like this.

[Bozita]

8. and here's the Detroit Free Press piece on the topic...

'Vagina Monologues' coming to Capitol to protest muzzle on legislators
June 16, 2012
By Bill Laitner
Detroit Free Press Staff Writer


When state House Republicans -- a largely male group -- indefinitely banned two Democratic women in the House from speaking in the chamber, it set the stage for an unlikely theatrical performance on the Capitol steps in Lansing.

At least nine female legislators will join actresses from around Michigan on Monday evening to read the 1996 play "The Vagina Monologues." Considered a manifesto of feminist rights by fans, it's the perfect way to vent outrage against muzzling women and otherwise trying to oppress them, said protest organizer Carla Milarch, 42, who is associate artistic director of the Performance Network Theatre in Ann Arbor.

The playwright Eve Ensler is flying in for the event from California, "and we have more and more actresses calling to fill out the cast," Milarch said Friday night. Staging the play seemed like the perfect response to conservative men silencing women for speaking in direct terms about body parts -- specifically for saying the word vagina, she said.

more...
http://www.freep.com/article/20120616/NEWS06/206160471/-Vagina-Monologues-coming-Capitol-protest-muzzle-legislators

[CTyankee]

10. This is shaping up to become a real nice event!

I hope they shake some folks up. Too bad if same folks don't like it...tough shit for them...

[truthisfreedom]

11. The taliban repukes are about to experience what it's like to be part of modern America.

Dudes, you're both totally outnumbered and totally fucked.

[longship]

12. They sowed the wind. Now they will reap the whirlwind

The Vagina Monologues! On the state Capital Steps. I wish my car wasn't all busted up right now. I'd drive there tomorrow.

I hope somebody films it.

R&

[Spitfire of ATJ]

13. These are also called "muffs"

[img][/img]

Perfect for people who don't want to hear it.

Let's mail a few to the Michigan GOP.

[Missy456]

14. Spam deleted by OKNancy (MIR Team)

[surrealAmerican]

15. I love it.

What a great response.

[bupkus]

16. The word itself makes some men uncomfortable. Vagina.

These assclowns have apparently forgotten where they came from or are so uncomfortable with reality of their origin that they're lives are dedicated to the impossible task of figuratively escaping it a second time.

[goclark]

18. It's great and help MsclarkObama

understand.

I am sick and tired of these "NoBalls" having the nerve to keep making laws and " new rules" that tell Vaginas2012 with REAL BALLS what to do!

Why do they keep doing it? The polls aren't saying it is working so it must be that they are afraid that they can't control Virginas12.

Bingo!

They can not control us because we have BALLS!

[loyalsister]

34. or OVARIES

maybe?

[obamanut2012]

17. She is my new favorite politician!

[nolabear]

19. Ought to go national.

I can see it now..."vag-ins" everwhere!

[suffragette]

21. Great response by them

K&R

[Uncle Joe]

23. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Bozita.

[livvy]

28. There is a way to participate even if you are out of state, or just can't make it.

I posted info about the rally in the Michigan forum and another poster, "enough", had this suggestion. I think it's a wonderful idea! Let's flood the email and voice mail boxes of these two.

For those that can't make it, may I suggest an e-mail or phone message sent on the same day would be a good way to support this. The message only has to have one word!

MI HOUSE SPEAKER James Bolger
Email: [email protected]

Phone: [phone]
Toll Free: 877-BOLGER-1

MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER JIM STAMAS
Email: [email protected]

Phone: [phone]
Toll Free: [phone]

[MADem]

36. It would be great if some intrepid videographers could get out there and USTREAM it! nt

[valerief]

30. I think we've found a new movie monster. Zombies are out. Vaginas are in. nt

[GliderGuider]

31. Those male legislators are going to end up with a whole new understanding of the phrase...

"pussy-whipped".

Way to go!

[Carolina]

38. Love it

LOL!

[A_Michiganian]

32. The latest on the subject from Michigan Planned Parenthood

Show them some love. [link:

&feature=player_embedded|

[lunatica]

37. They just don't get it that women are getting pissed off