Suggestions to V-Day Coordinators & Intersex Allies
For many college campuses, V-Day events offer an important opportunity to educate audiences about women’s lives, women’s bodies, and violence against women. Intersex activists have always applauded these efforts but were also saddened that The Vagina Monologues made certain assumptions about women’s bodies and gave audiences the impression that genital mutilation only occurs outside the United States. Some V-Day coordinators were sympathetic to intersex activists who voiced their concerns by writing letters and, partly as a result of those letters, those coordinators began to donate portions of proceeds from V-Day events to ISNA so that we can educate people about intersex conditions, unwanted genital surgeries and help to end stigma and shame.
Still, a great deal of work needs to be done. Many people still aren’t aware of the struggles that intersex people face, and V-Day remains an important opportunity for educating audiences and for helping support ISNA’s work. Here are some specific ways you can use your V-Day event to support ISNA and its constituents.
- Distribute information about ISNA and intersex at your V-day Event. Print out some of ISNA’s Frequently Asked Questions intersex and pass them out at the performance or include them in your V-Day program.
- Ask that Esther Liedolf Morris’s The Missing Vagina Monologue be included in your V-Day performance or given its own stage time.
- Order materials about intersex and use them to educate your campus. Order one of our videos or order our teaching kit for undergraduates that will be available in Spring of 2006.
- Invite a speaker from ISNA’s Speakers Bureau to come to your campus. You can host a speaker as part of your V-day events or at any time of year you choose.
- Endorse a resolution in support of ISNA’s work. Both V-Day and the National Organization of Women have passed resolutions similar to this model resolution.
- Ask your campus V-Day coordinators to donate a portion of V-Day proceeds to ISNA. Even a contribution of 5-10% of your total proceeds can help ISNA continue its important work to end shame, stigma, and unwanted genital surgeries. You can make your donation online or mail your donation to ISNA. After we receive your contribution, we’ll send you a letter that acknowledges your donation.
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