If My Vagina Could Talk.....

I had the distinct pleasure of attending a local performance of "The Vagina Monologues" in Red Wing last night. Red Wing, having a population of only 15,000 I feel rather lucky to have The Sheldon Theatre, which brings performing arts to our community.

In the 1990's, playwright, Eve Ensler interviewed over 200 women about their sexuality and their vaginas in particular. From those interviews she wrote "The Vagina Monologues" and performed the show across the country. Ensler was deeply moved by the number painful stories of physical and sexual violence women shared with her after her performances. In response she created, V-Day. V as in Victory, Valentine and Vagina. In February, March and April she permits organizations to produce a Vagina Monologues as a fundraiser. Since 1998, V-Day events have raised over $60 million for local beneficiaries working to end violence against women and girls. Last night's performance benefited our local Goodhue Wabash Sexual Assault Services.

Here's a peek at some of the titles, "The Little Coochie Snorcher That Could", "My Angry Vagina" and "The Flood". The monologues were real, touching, funny and sobering. It fueled my desire to express my true self even more in my work and in my writing. I was so impressed with the women's performances and proud to be a woman......a women with A VAGINA!!!

The performance profoundly echoed my thoughts of "We are real. We are not yes ladies. We are Oh Yes Ladies and it feels really good." It reaffirmed the misconception that all of your private thoughts are to stay private. Headline...... Kim Lampe Loves Her Vagina. Um no, that's not what I meant. It all goes back to being the Traveling Sanctuary. The safe place for others. There will be a day when somebody needs to share some private thoughts. Will you be the safe, secure landing place?

If my vagina could talk it would say, "I hold much power. I will take great care with this power." I am pleasure. I am pain. I'm a *itch. I'm a lover. I give birth, hence my space shifting ability. I have something very important to say. Get down here and listen would you?"

In some weird way I left the performance feeling like all my womanly power was centered in my vagina, which means I must have two hearts and two brains. Watch out world here we come.