Michigan state rep Rep. Lisa Brown intervened in a debate about a
pending abortion bill in which she used the word "vagina," for which she
was censured, and prohibited from participating in some future,
unrelated debates. She was not the only woman legislator prohibited from
speaking during the debate. Rep. Barb Byrum was barred from introducing
her amendment requiring men to prove that their lives were at risk
before they were allowed to have a vasectomy.
Brown, a Democrat, argued that her Jewish faith allowed for therapeutic
abortions when the mother's life is in danger without regard to length
of pregnancy.
"I have not asked you to adopt and adhere to my religious beliefs. Why
are you asking me to adopt yours?" she said. But what came next is what
got her in trouble: "And finally, Mr. Speaker, I'm flattered that you're
all so interested my vagina, but 'no' means 'no.'"
The Detroit News reports today the House Republican leadership did not
allow Brown to speak on a bill about the retirement of school employees.