Honey pot. Cave of wonders. Pink canoe. What do all these things have in common? They're all slang terms for the vagina, because apparently, saying the word "vagina" is disgusting.
Well, you know what? Today, we're gonna talk about vaginas. V-A-G-I-N-A-S.
I have a vagina. Do you have a vagina? Not every girl has a vagina, and not everyone that has a vagina is a girl. Heck, some people have two vaginas! Whether you have one or two, or no vagina at all, it's important to talk about this muscle, especially since we live in a society that tells us we can't talk about it.
Did you know that, in the United States, Kotex advertisements aren't allowed to have the word "vagina" in them? Funny how a company that creates pads and tampons, products that collect blood and uterine lining that are secreted from the vagina, cannot say the word "vagina." And why do these products have a luxury tax placed on them? I didn't realize it was such a luxury for someone to stick cotton and rayon into their vagina every few hours for a week.
Why is there legislation for my vagina? It's not hurting anybody! It is mine, and I'd like to have a say as to what I do with it, whether that's having access to affordable birth control, having access to inexpensive healthcare at Planned Parenthood, or having an abortion. To quote an awesome t-shirt that got a woman kicked off an airplane, "If I wanted the government in my womb, I'd f--- a Senator."
There is a theatrical production called "The Vagina Monologues" that makes me laugh, cry, and nod my head vigorously in understanding. This show discusses menstruation, rape camps in Bosnia, that dreaded c-word, personal perceptions on the appearance of the vulva, and childbirth. This production helped me realize that people with vaginas, including myself, can talk about these issues together and overcome the stigma surrounding our genitalia. While I don't agree with the idea that having a vagina is the only way to be a woman, I believe this show is instilling confidence to end vagina stigma for those who do have vaginas.
One thing I wish I could do, besides pee standing up, is look at my own vagina. If you have a vagina, you understand what it's like to never look directly at your own genitals. Maybe you've looked at them with a handheld mirror? Still, it's not the same as having the luxury to look down, say good morning to your vagina, and have a fantastic day, knowing in the back of your mind that you can say good night to your vagina.
If we don't end the stigma around vaginas, people will never be able to utter the word. If we keep this language out of our vocabularies and the vocabularies of our children, questions will not be asked. Misinformation about vaginas will continue to spread. (Like the idea that the vaginal orgasm exists.) It's not fair to people with vaginas to keep the word to ourselves.
Vaginas are cool, so if you have one, make sure to love it, take care of it, but most importantly, make your own choices. That vagina is yours, so don't let anyone try to take control of it. Maybe we'll talk more about vaginas together in the future?
