A US politician who was barred from speaking in the State House after using the word "vagina" during a debate on abortion legislation has delivered a unique response - performing The Vagina Monologues outside the Michigan Statehouse.
Michigan State Representative Lisa Brown performed the show on Monday alongside 10 other female politicians, with the play's author Eve Ensler flying into Michigan to "take back the capital" and perform with the legislators.
We will not be silenced: Female politicians perform the Vagina Monologues on the state capitol steps
According to estimates around 2,500 people attended the event, with the crowds chanting "vagina! vagina! vagina!"
Ensler told AP: "We're talking about the silencing of women, we're talking about censoring people for saying a body part," she said. "Half of these people who are trying to regulate vaginas, they can't even say the word."
Lisa Brown addresses supporter
She said the silencing of Brown, who said of an anti-abortion bill she was "flattered you're [Republicans] all so concerned about my vagina. But no means no", was about the silencing of women.
Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga, reads her part during a performance of "The Vagina Monologues
Republican representative Mike Callton told The Detroit News her comment was "so offensive." "I don't even want to say it in front of women. I would not say that in mixed company."
Republican Jim Stamas banned Brown, along with her Democrat colleague Barb Byrum who said "vasectomy" during the debate for violating the decorum of the House.
Brown has accused her censors of being "unable" to say the word vagina while legislating on abortion.
"Shouldn't we be able to discuss body parts if we're going to pass laws about them? Am I really to believe that my opposition is undone at the mere mention of a woman's anatomy?..
"They don't want to hear us, and when we speak out anyway, they try to shut us down."
Brown told AP on Monday evening: "I've heard from a lot of men. It's not just women who are speaking out."
