#VaginasUnite - V-Day Stands in Solidarity with the Organizers of The Vagina Monologues in Ocala, Florida

#VaginasUnite

V-Day Stands in Solidarity with the Organizers of The Vagina Monologues in Ocala, Florida

Join Us and Stand Up Against Censorship

V-Day stands in solidarity with the organizers, activists, and performers of two upcoming productions, "The Vagina Monologues" and "The Marion At Midnight Burlesque Show", whose artistic expression and freedom of speech are currently under attack.

According to reports, an Ocala, FL man has declared The Vagina Monologues "inappropriate" and has asked for a hearing before the Ocala, Florida City Council to have the play banned from a city supported theater.

Since 1998, "The Vagina Monologues" has been performed ten of thousands of times in over 140 countries. Written by Tony Award winning playwright Eve Ensler, it launched V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls. V-Day organizers have raised consciousness, changed laws to protect women and girls, funded rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters (often times these much needed funds kept them from closing), educated their communities, and raised over $100 million in urgently needed funds for groups doing the essential work of ending violence and serving survivors and their families.

Upon hearing of the upcoming City Council hearing, we took a look back at other attempts to censor Vaginas. With fierce resistance and leadership by local women and the ensuing media conversation and community dialogue, attempts to censor the word ultimately fail.

Stay strong Ocala Vaginas!  We have your back!

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

#VaginasUnite: SIGN the petition in support of the Ocala V-Day benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues - http://www.thepetitionsite.com/695/662/864/keep-the-vagina-monologues-and-marion-at-midnight-in-the-spotlight/

If you are in the area, attend the local hearing and peaceful protest:
https://www.facebook.com/events/916175571813781/

Tweet and Facebook your support, here are some sample posts:

#VaginasUnite! FL man wants to censor #TheVaginaMonologues. Sign the petition in support of #FreeSpeechVaginas http://ow.ly/YLfyK

#VaginasUnite! A man in Ocala, FL wants to censor "The Vagina Monologues" by shutting down an upcoming benefit production. Sign the petition in support of artistic expression and #FreeSpeechVaginas http://ow.ly/YLfyK

HISTORY:

Take a look back at other moments when Vaginas were censored – when local activists prevailed and we stood as a movement in solidarity and together brought the world's attention to the issue.

Michigan State Representative Lisa Brown Banned from publicly speaking in the House for using the word "vagina" during a debate on a bill that puts new restrictions on abortion providers.

- Vaginas Take Back the Capitol: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwjgmCS3hYM

- NPR reports: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/06/17/155220749/silenced-michigan-state-rep-to-perform-vagina-monologues-on-capitol-steps

Students at John Jay High School Suspended for Reading from The Vagina Monologues: http://www.today.com/id/17535427/ns/today-today_news/t/students-vagina-suspensions-unwarranted/#.Vs9h0ymkT19