Femalia

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Femalia
Femalia-first-edition-cover-1993.jpg
Editor Joani Blank
IllustratorPhotographs by Tee Corinne, Michael Perry, Jill Posener, and Michael A. Rosen
LanguageEnglish
Publisher Down There Press, Last Gasp
Publication date
1993
Publication placeUnited States of America
ISBN 0-940208-15-6 (first edition)
OCLC 770822165

Femalia is a book of 32 full-color photographs of human vulvas, edited by Joani Blank and first published by Down There Press in 1993. [1] A reprint edition was published by Last Gasp in 2011. [2] The photographs were taken by Tee Corinne, Michael Perry, Jill Posener, and Michael A. Rosen. The photographs are presented without commentary, except for Blank's brief introduction to the volume as a whole. [3] : 431  Blank wanted to present accurate images of the subject, in contrast to pornographic or medical ones.

Contents

History

The word used as the book's title, femalia , was taken from the novel Vox by Nicholson Baker. [1] [4] : 143  The photographs by Corinne and Perry had been taken years before the book's original publication in 1993; those by Posener and Rosen were taken specifically for inclusion in the first edition of Femalia. [1]

Femalia grew out of Blank's long-term work as a feminist sex educator. She felt that medical and pornographic images of the female genitals were inadequate to her purposes. [3] : 430  In her introduction to the first edition, Blank lamented the absence of readily available photographic representations of the vulva other than heavily edited images in male-oriented pornography, and the resulting feeling on the part of a majority of women that "in one way or another, their genitals are not quite 'normal'". [1] [3] : 430 

Feminist response

Feminist authors have sharply contrasted the portrayals of vulvas in Femalia with those in typical male-oriented pornography and in biomedical sources. [5] Femalia's portrayals are characterized as accurate, honest, open, and truthful, as exhibiting "stark reality"; [5] : 86–87,362  [6] [7] as promoting a positive view of the vulva; [8] as emphasizing the diversity of the vulva in different women, [5] : 166,202,360,379  [6] [7] [9] : 181  [10] : 36  [11] : 264  as well as the diversity of opinions and perspectives about the vulva on the part of both men and women; [8] : 13  and as emphasizing female autonomy. [5] : 222  [10] : 36  [12] : 25  By contrast, portrayals of the vulva in pornography and in biomedical science are characterized as stylized and uniform, excluding women whose genitalia do not match their models. [5] : 86–87,360  [6] Pornographic portrayals are further characterized as commodified, [5] : 202  and medical portrayals as sterile. [5] : 86–87  Feminist sex educators have advocated perusal of the images in Femalia as an exercise to help women to regard their genitals in a more positive light. [8] : 13  [13] [14] : 69 

Civil liberties

Librarian Sanford Berman has cited Femalia as an example to illustrate his thesis that libraries engage in inappropriate self-censorship, often motivated by concerns about controversial sexual content, in deciding which books to stock. [15] [16] Berman comments, "A detailed, artistic picture of a seashell adorns the cover. Were the contents strictly shell photos, the book might make it into at least some libraries. Shells, yes. Vulvas, no." [16] : 51 

Science and medicine

Research on depiction and perception of female genitals

In a study of systematic differences in the depiction of female genitals in online pornography, anatomy textbooks, and feminist publications, Femalia was used as one of three sources of sample depictions in the feminist publications category. [17] : 76  This study found a statistically significant difference between online pornography and feminist publications in depicted protuberance of the labia minora, with greater mean protuberance shown in the feminist publications. [17] : 77  It also found greater variation in measured genital proportions shown in the feminist publications than in the other two categories of sources. [17] : 77–78 

Femalia was used as one of two sources of sample depictions of female genitals (the other was Penthouse) in a psychological study of the relationship between women's aesthetic perceptions of female genitals and their attitudes toward gynecological examinations. [18] : 21  More specifically, the examinations in question were Pap smears, and the relevant attitudes were anxiety, embarrassment, and likelihood of making or keeping an appointment for a Pap smear. [18] : 22–24 

Educational role in clinical practice

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has published a guideline document, authored by Magdalena Simonis under authority of the RACGP, intended to inform healthcare professionals about female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS), such as labiaplasty, and to advise them about management of patient requests for FGCS. [19] In this document, Simonis identifies lack of appreciation of female genital diversity, not only on the part of the public but also on the part of healthcare professionals, as a contributing factor to the demand for FGCS. [19] : 2–6  She advocates the use of Femalia as a tool for patient education about genital diversity, [19] : 9,13  in part because it depicts female genitals without digital enhancement. [19] : 9  Simonis has further referenced this educational use of Femalia in slide and poster presentations intended to promote better management of the demand for FGCS on the part of healthcare professionals. [20] [21]

Medical anthropologist Eric Plemons has stated that:

The feminist commitment to ostensibly unmediated representation of 'natural' female genitals is one whose value has also been recognized by medical experts; Femalia has had an unanticipated life in clinical literature. [3] : 431 

Plemons documents the use of Femalia as a resource to demonstrate the existence of female genital diversity, and to educate both clinicians and patients as to the range of normal vulval appearance. He attributes its widespread use by healthcare professionals to their belief that "it is one of very few photographic collections of 'normal' vulvas that exists". [3] : 431 

Transgender genital cosmesis

Femalia has been used as a way of assessing preferences for perineal and genital cosmetic appearance, to improve cosmesis in trans women undergoing genital gender-affirming surgery. [3] [22] Beginning in the year 2000, surgeon Neal Wilson began showing photographs from Femalia to his prospective patients and asking them to indicate which vulvas they found most aesthetically pleasing, as well as which ones they would choose for themselves. Wilson attempted to approximate through surgery the appearance of the photographs from Femalia selected by his prospective patients, even though he held that they set "impossible standards" because of the limitations of early 21st-century surgical technique. [3] : 429  [22] Wilson has republished, in an online journal article, the three photographs most often selected by his patients. He has also provided summary statistics concerning his patients' choices of vulval photographs from Femalia, as well as a short narrative summary of the specific anatomical features that he believed to be characteristic of the most popular photographs. [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Female genital mutilation</span> Ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the vulva

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the cutting or removal of some or all of the vulva for non-medical reasons. FGM prevalence varies worldwide, but is majorly present in some countries of Africa, Asia and Middle East, and within their diasporas. As of 2024, UNICEF estimates that worldwide 230 million girls and women had been subjected to one or more types of FGM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labia minora</span> Flaps of skin on either side of the vaginal opening in the vulva

The labia minora, also known as the inner labia, inner lips, or nymphae, are two flaps of skin that are part of the primate vulva, extending outwards from the inner vaginal and urethral openings to encompass the vestibule. At the glans clitoris, each labium splits, above forming the clitoral hood, and below the frenulum of the clitoris. At the bottom, the labia meet at the labial commissure. The labia minora vary widely in size, color and shape from individual to individual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vagina</span> Part of the female reproductive tract

In mammals and other animals, the vagina is the elastic, muscular reproductive organ of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vulval vestibule to the cervix. The vaginal introitus is normally partly covered by a thin layer of mucosal tissue called the hymen. The vagina allows for copulation and birth. It also channels menstrual flow, which occurs in humans and closely related primates as part of the menstrual cycle.

Genital modifications are forms of body modifications applied to the human sexual organs. When there's cutting involved, genital cutting or surgery can be used. The term genital enhancement seem to be generally used for genital modifications that modify the external aspect, the way the patient wants it. The term genital mutilation is used for genital modifications that drastically diminish the recipient's quality of life and result in adverse health outcomes, whether physical or mental.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Genital tattooing</span> Tattooing of the genitals

Genital tattooing is the practice of placing permanent marks under the skin of the genitals in the form of tattoos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Female reproductive system</span> Reproductive system of female humans

The human female reproductive system is made up of the internal and external sex organs that function in the reproduction of new offspring. The reproductive system is immature at birth and develops at puberty to be able to release matured ova from the ovaries, facilitate their fertilization, and create a protective environment for the developing fetus during pregnancy. The female reproductive tract is made of several connected internal sex organs—the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes—and is prone to infections. The vagina allows for sexual intercourse, and is connected to the uterus at the cervix. The uterus accommodates the embryo by developing the uterine lining.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vulvectomy</span> Partial or complete removal of the vulva

Vulvectomy refers to a gynecological procedure in which the vulva is partly or completely removed. The procedure is usually performed as a last resort in certain cases of cancer, vulvar dysplasia, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia, or as part of female genital mutilation. Although there may be severe pain in the groin area after the procedure, for a number of weeks, sexual function is generally still possible but limited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labia</span> Parts of the vulva

The labia are the major externally visible structures of the vulva. In humans and other primates, there are two pairs of labia: the labia majora are large and thick folds of skin that cover the vulva's other parts, while the labia minora are the folds of skin between the outer labia that surround and protect the urethral and vaginal openings, as well as the glans clitoris.

Vulvitis is inflammation of the vulva, the external female mammalian genitalia that include the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and introitus. It may co-occur as vulvovaginitis with vaginitis, inflammation of the vagina, and may have infectious or non-infectious causes. The warm and moist conditions of the vulva make it easily affected. Vulvitis is prone to occur in any female especially those who have certain sensitivities, infections, allergies, or diseases that make them likely to have vulvitis. Postmenopausal women and prepubescent girls are more prone to be affected by it, as compared to women in their menstruation period. It is so because they have low estrogen levels which makes their vulvar tissue thin and dry. Women having diabetes are also prone to be affected by vulvitis due to the high sugar content in their cells, increasing their vulnerability. Vulvitis is not a disease, it is just an inflammation caused by an infection, allergy or injury. Vulvitis may also be symptom of any sexually transmitted infection or a fungal infection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labiaplasty</span> Plastic surgery procedure for altering the labia minora

Labiaplasty is a plastic surgery procedure for creating or altering the labia minora and the labia majora, the folds of skin of the human vulva. It is a type of vulvoplasty. There are two main categories of women seeking cosmetic genital surgery: those with conditions such as intersex, and those with no underlying condition who experience physical discomfort or wish to alter the appearance of their vulvas because they believe they do not fall within a normal range.

Labia stretching, also referred to as labia elongation or labia pulling, is the act of lengthening the labia minora through manual manipulation (pulling) or physical equipment. It is a familial cultural practice in parts of Eastern and Southern Africa, and a body modification practice elsewhere. It is performed for sexual enhancement for the benefit of both partners, aesthetics, symmetry and gratification.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clitoral hood reduction</span> Cosmetic surgical procedure

Clitoral hood reduction, also termed clitoral hoodectomy, clitoral unhooding, clitoridotomy, or (partial) hoodectomy, is a plastic surgery procedure for reducing the size and the area of the clitoral hood in order to further expose the glans of the clitoris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perineoplasty</span> Plastic surgery procedure

Perineoplasty denotes the plastic surgery procedures used to correct clinical conditions of the vagina and the anus. Among the vagino-anal conditions resolved by perineoplasty are vaginal looseness, vaginal itching, damaged perineum, fecal incontinence, genital warts, dyspareunia, vaginal stenosis, vaginismus, vulvar vestibulitis, and decreased sexual sensation. Depending upon the vagino-anal condition to be treated, there are two variants of the perineoplasty procedure: the first, to tighten the perineal muscles and the vagina; the second, to loosen the perineal muscles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vulva</span> External genitalia of the female mammal

In mammals, the vulva comprises mostly external, visible structures of the female genitalia leading into the interior of the female reproductive tract. For humans, it includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, urinary meatus, vaginal introitus, hymen, and openings of the vestibular glands. The folds of the outer and inner labia provide a double layer of protection for the vagina. Pelvic floor muscles support the structures of the vulva. Other muscles of the urogenital triangle also give support.

Leonore Tiefer is an American educator, researcher, therapist, and activist specializing in sexuality, and is a public critic of disease mongering as it applies to sexual life and problems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vulva activism</span> A feminist movement

Vulva activism is the promotion of a raised awareness of the appearance of female genitalia and the breaking of taboos surrounding the vulva, as carried out by feminist movements and advocacy groups. Other names for this advocacy movement are labia pride, labia liberation, vulvaversity, viva la vulva, pussy positivity and similar. It is supported by several independent feminist groups and based on diverse channels of communication such as cyberfeminism, protest marches and advocating boycotts against physicians and clinics that make use of deceptive advertising.

Honey Lee Cottrell was a lesbian photographer and filmmaker who lived most of her life in San Francisco, California. Her papers are part of the Human Sexuality Collection at Cornell University Library.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vagina and vulva in art</span> Visual art representing female genitalia

The vagina and vulva have been depicted from prehistory onwards. Visual art forms representing the female genitals encompass two-dimensional and three-dimensional. As long ago as 35,000 years ago, people sculpted Venus figurines that exaggerated the abdomen, hips, breasts, thighs, or vulva.

Jill Posener is a British photographer and playwright, known for her exploration of lesbian identity and erotica.

Nigeria has the highest rate of female genital mutilation (FGM) in the world in total numbers. It is usually experienced by girls aged 0 to 15 years old. It involves either partial or complete removal of the vulva or other injury to the female genital organs and has no medical benefit.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Blank, Joani, ed. (1993). Femalia. Photographs by Tee A. Corinne, Michael Perry, Jill Posener, and Michael A. Rosen (1st ed.). San Francisco: Down There Press. ISBN   978-0-940208-15-5.
  2. ↑ Blank, Joani, ed. (2011). Femalia. Photographs by Tee A. Corinne, Michael Perry, Jill Posener, and Michael A. Rosen (2nd ed.). San Francisco: Last Gasp. ISBN   978-0-86719-758-7.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Plemons, Eric (2015). "Anatomical authorities: on the epistemological exclusion of trans-surgical patients". Medical Anthropology . 34 (5): 425–441. doi:10.1080/01459740.2015.1036264. PMID   25849147. S2CID   36226237.
  4. ↑ Baker, Nicholson (1992). Vox: a novel . New York: Random House. ISBN   978-0-394-58995-4.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Duncan, Rachel (January 2005). Genital sensation: abrasive bodies in feminist performance (PDF) (PhD dissertation). University of Leicester. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 1, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 Iglesia, Cheryl B. (May 2014). "AGAINST: The social vulnerability and cultural view of women as sex objects needs to end". BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology . 121 (6): 768. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.12621 . PMID   24738897.
  7. 1 2 Lloyd, Jillian; Crouch, Naomi S.; Minto, Catherine L.; Liao, Lih-Mei; Creighton, Sarah M. (May 2005). "Female genital appearance: 'normality' unfolds". BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology . 112 (5): 643–646. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.585.1427 . doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.2004.00517.x. PMID   15842291. S2CID   17818072.
  8. 1 2 3 Mullinax, Margo; Herbenick, Debby; Schick, Vanessa; Sanders, Stephanie A.; Reece, Michael (July 1, 2015). "In their own words: a qualitative content analysis of women's and men's preferences for women's genitals". Sex Education . 15 (4): 421–436. doi:10.1080/14681811.2015.1031884. PMC   4796748 . PMID   27004044.
  9. ↑ Green, Fiona J. (2005). "From clitoridectomies to 'designer vaginas': the medical construction of heteronormative female bodies and sexuality through female genital cutting". Sexualities, Evolution & Gender. 7 (2): 153–187. doi:10.1080/14616660500200223.
  10. 1 2 Braun, Virginia (November 2000). The vagina: an analysis (PhD dissertation). Loughborough University.
  11. ↑ Braun, Virginia; Kitzinger, Celia (2001). "The perfectible vagina: size matters". Culture, Health & Sexuality . 3 (3): 263–277. CiteSeerX   10.1.1.552.8931 . doi:10.1080/13691050152484704. S2CID   143982758.
  12. ↑ Braun, V.; Wilkinson, S. (2001). "Socio-cultural representations of the vagina". Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology. 19 (1): 17–32. doi:10.1080/02646830020032374. S2CID   145198475.
  13. ↑ Savage, Dan (December 3, 2014). "Labia of love". News and Views: Savage Love. Metro Times (Detroit). Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  14. ↑ Warburton, Rachel (2007). "Fucking our way to a better world: an interview with C. Gallant". Atlantis. 31 (2): 64–71.
  15. ↑ Berman, Sanford (April 16, 2000). 'Inside' censorship (PDF) (Speech). Minnesota Atheists meeting. Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, US. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 18, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  16. 1 2 Berman, Sanford (Summer 2001). "'Inside' censorship" (PDF). Progressive Librarian . 18: 48–63.
  17. 1 2 3 Howarth, Helena; Sommer, Volker; Jordan, Fiona M. (December 2010). "Visual depictions of female genitalia differ depending on source". Medical Humanities . 36 (2): 75–79. doi:10.1136/jmh.2009.003707. hdl: 11858/00-001M-0000-0013-4404-7 . PMID   21393286. S2CID   42989634.
  18. 1 2 Schick, Vanessa R. (January 31, 2010). Examining the vulva: the relationship between female genital aesthetic perceptions and gynecological care (PhD dissertation). George Washington University.
  19. 1 2 3 4 Simonis, Magdalena (July 2015). Female genital cosmetic surgery: a resource for general practitioners and other health professionals. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).
  20. ↑ Simonis, Magdalena (September 23, 2015). Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery Toolkit for general practitioners and other health professionals (PDF). GP15: The RACGP Conference for General Practice 2015 (slides). Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 21, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  21. ↑ Simonis, Magdalena (September 13–16, 2015). Female genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS): a resource for general practitioners and other health professionals (PDF). World STI & HIV Congress 2015 (Poster P13.02). Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2017.Abstract: Simonis, Magdalena (September 2015). "P13.02 Female genital cosmetic surgery toolkit for general practitioners and other health professionals". Sexually Transmitted Infections . 91 (Suppl 2): A193.1–A193. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052270.500 .
  22. 1 2 3 Wilson, Neal (2002). "The aesthetic vulva: perineal cosmesis in the male-to-female transsexual". International Journal of Transgenderism . 6 (4). Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
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