'Vagina Monologues' coming to Capitol to protest muzzle on legislators
June 16, 2012 
Playwright Eve Ensler is flying in for the reading Monday. The play is considered a manifesto of feminist rights. / 2007 Music Hall photo
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.
• View the facebook page created for the event
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.
"This word being deemed inappropriate to be said on the House floor is creating a stir. We want to get people thinking about it," Milarch said.
Rep. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, said she plans to join in the play's reading 6-8 p.m. Monday.
Brown sparked the controversy when she said Wednesday: "I'm flattered that you're all so interested in my vagina, but no means no" -- a statement that opponents have called vulgar, unnecessarily provocative and an unfair reference to rape during a debate on bills about abortion.
"I was just trying to express my frustration with the Legislature taking up this oppressive legislation when we should be talking about ensuring our kids get a high-quality education and helping businesses grow in Michigan," Brown said Friday night. She said she was hearing from women "all across the country, women and men," who support her right to speak, regardless of their views on abortion.
Once you watch this video there are four other videos pertaining to this one.
Vagina monologues' draws large crowd at Michigan's Capitol: The 'Vagina Monologues' demonstration was performed on the steps of the Capitol Monday evening. As many as 2500 people attended the event. Paul Henderson|LSJ.com
When will the speaking ban end?
"I have no idea. I have never even heard officially why I can't speak," Brown said.
Also planning to read Monday are Rep. Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga, who also was banned from making further speeches; Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes, D-Saginaw; Rep. Dian Slavens, D-Canton; Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit; Rep. Vicki Barnett, D-Farmington Hills; Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, and Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing.
"No one is throwing these words around (in the Legislature) without a rational context. If these men can't handle the debate about women's bodies, they shouldn't be taking away our rights" to abortion access, Whitmer said.
Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, said she will read from the play " because preserving freedom of speech is essential in any legislative body.
"I think the fact that women's voices were silenced should disturb Michiganders in every corner of the state," Warren said.
Mark Liss, husband of state Rep. Lesia Liss, D-Warren, said both he and his wife objected to some of the language in this week's abortion debates. Lesia Liss was unavailable to comment.
"The irony is, Lesia loves the play," Mark Liss said. "We've actually been to see it, and I said, 'When are we going to the Penis Monologues?' "
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.
• View the facebook page created for the event
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.
"This word being deemed inappropriate to be said on the House floor is creating a stir. We want to get people thinking about it," Milarch said.
Rep. Lisa Brown, D-West Bloomfield, said she plans to join in the play's reading 6-8 p.m. Monday.
Brown sparked the controversy when she said Wednesday: "I'm flattered that you're all so interested in my vagina, but no means no" -- a statement that opponents have called vulgar, unnecessarily provocative and an unfair reference to rape during a debate on bills about abortion.
"I was just trying to express my frustration with the Legislature taking up this oppressive legislation when we should be talking about ensuring our kids get a high-quality education and helping businesses grow in Michigan," Brown said Friday night. She said she was hearing from women "all across the country, women and men," who support her right to speak, regardless of their views on abortion.
Once you watch this video there are four other videos pertaining to this one.
Vagina monologues' draws large crowd at Michigan's Capitol: The 'Vagina Monologues' demonstration was performed on the steps of the Capitol Monday evening. As many as 2500 people attended the event. Paul Henderson|LSJ.com
When will the speaking ban end?
"I have no idea. I have never even heard officially why I can't speak," Brown said.
Also planning to read Monday are Rep. Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga, who also was banned from making further speeches; Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes, D-Saginaw; Rep. Dian Slavens, D-Canton; Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit; Rep. Vicki Barnett, D-Farmington Hills; Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, and Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing.
"No one is throwing these words around (in the Legislature) without a rational context. If these men can't handle the debate about women's bodies, they shouldn't be taking away our rights" to abortion access, Whitmer said.
Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, said she will read from the play " because preserving freedom of speech is essential in any legislative body.
"I think the fact that women's voices were silenced should disturb Michiganders in every corner of the state," Warren said.
Mark Liss, husband of state Rep. Lesia Liss, D-Warren, said both he and his wife objected to some of the language in this week's abortion debates. Lesia Liss was unavailable to comment.
"The irony is, Lesia loves the play," Mark Liss said. "We've actually been to see it, and I said, 'When are we going to the Penis Monologues?' "
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