From saying it once on the house floor to chanting it on the Capitol steps, Representative Lisa Brown (D, West Bloomfield) has come a long way since June 14 when she was banned from speaking in the legislature after a debate over new legislation.

"To hear thousands of people yell out vagina together, just incredible," Rep. Brown said after her performance of The Vagina Monologues at the state capitol.

She was joined by other state lawmakers, actors, the Tony Award winning playwright from California, and thousands of supporters protesting the actions of the Republican leadership.

The play is a series of graphic tales - some funny, some violent - about vaginas. The author, Eve Ensler, said the protest setting at the capitol was a first for her show in its 16th year.

"This is a turning point moment," Ensler said. "This is a moment where we can turn this whole war on women in a whole other direction. And it's really important that we have her back and that we support her. And we let the world know this isn't going to be tolerated."
That's why thousands of Brown's supporters, young and old, attended the event. They wanted to make sure the next generation has a voice.

"She's going to change the world, and we gotta start somewhere," said Molly Kozlowski referring to her 2-year-old, who wore a "Viva Vagina" shirt and rainbow tutu. "She's going to be a strong, independent woman, and we're going to start here."

Women weren't the only ones speaking out about vaginas. There were plenty of men in the crowd supporting Representative Brown as well.

"We need to be honest talking about women's health issues, that it's not a dirty word," David Widmayer said. "This is not someone making a scene, this is how you have to talk about it if you're honestly going to talk about women's health in the legislature."

Rep. Brown said her dad was in the audience.

"I know he was probably a little uncomfortable," Rep. Brown said.

But he was also probably proud, just like Ensler. She called the female lawmakers "sheroes."

"It was a privilege to be here," Ensler said.

Democratic lawmakers and supporters say the next step is "killing the bill" that they feel limits abortion rights.

Republicans say Brown wasn't banned from the floor for using the word "vagina" so the event was irrelevant.

Ensler called the day one of the most incredible of her life.