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Press release by the Michigan Democratic Party
On Monday, June 18, Michigan Senators and Representatives will be joined by Tony Award winning playwright and V-Day Founder/Artistic Director Eve Ensler, as well as local activists and actors, for a special performance of Ensler’s award winning play “The Vagina Monologues” on the Michigan Capitol steps. The performance, which will take place between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., is part of an organized response to the recent banning of Michigan State Rep. Lisa Brown from publicly speaking on the House floor.
On June 14, Rep. Brown was banned by Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas and House Republicans, for using the word “vagina” during a debate on a bill that puts new restrictions on abortion providers. Brown, who voted against the legislation, told supporters of the bill, “I’m flattered you’re all so concerned about my vagina. But no means no.”
Sen. Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D- East Lansing), Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor), Rep. Barb Byrum (D- Onondaga), Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw), Rep. Dian Slavens (D- Canton Township), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D- Detroit), Rep. Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield), Rep. Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills), and Rep. Joan Bauer (D-Lansing) will perform along with Ensler and local actors.
Local and state activists, as well as actors, have also signed on to perform and protest. Over the past 14 years, V-Day has mobilized activists from more than 140 countries and worked tirelessly on a grassroots level to demand an end to all forms of violence against women and girls. This latest action in Michigan will call on the many college and community V-Day organizers in the area to step up and let the House Republicans know that banning ‘vagina’ is not acceptable.
Activists and women who would like to get involved can contact Valerie Keefe who will provide further information. She can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 517-316-6420. There is also a Facebook event page for the event. Please RSVP and invite your friends.
We hope to see you there!
Sincerely,
Laura Hornshaw
Michigan Democratic Party Fundraiser
About the Author: BTL Staff
Between The Lines has been publishing LGBTQ-related content in Southeast Michigan since the early '90s. This year marks the publication's 27th anniversary.
