We’d prefer not to air our linens in public (unless we’re showing you how vaginal acidity is normal). But we need to say something, and we need to ask your help. The pandemic has been rough for the entire museum sector. Now the Vagina Museum is at risk of becoming homeless.
Camden Market will not be renewing our lease. They’ve decided to turn the Vagina Museum’s premises into a clothes shop instead. We’ve asked about alternative buildings within the market, and they haven’t offered anything fit for purpose.
The one new space Camden Market have shown us is on a top floor, this would effectively relegate the Vagina Museum to the top shelf and out of sight.
This simply won’t work for us: “vagina” is not a dirty word. It should be visible within the community, battling the shame attached to the word, not hidden away like a dirty mag.
We explained the unit wasn’t suitable, but they didn’t offer any alternatives.
We’ve been trying for the last year to secure new premises, as demand for a museum dedicated to vaginas, vulvas and the gynaecological anatomy is exceeding physical capacity. We are actively pursuing leads, but we need options if these do not pan out.
So this is the point where we’re asking for your help. Do you work somewhere which might have a building which is suitable to be the next Vagina Museum premises? Do you know someone who can help?
If we don’t get these matters resolved, the Vagina Museum won’t exist as a physical space at the end of September.
This is what we are looking for:
In a worst-case scenario, we’re also looking for anyone who can offer us a storage option if we cannot find suitable premises - if you’ve got any empty office buildings which aren’t being used, would we be able to store our exhibition and collection until this is resolved?
We would also need some office space as an interim option, with space for 4 desks.
We know within our network we have a host of eager beavers who believe in our cause, and we know many of you will be able to help make introductions, or provide what we need. That’s why we’re asking, even though it’s scary to be so transparent about our situation.
If you don’t have a building for us, you can still help. Please share this message and or make a donation. Every donation you make towards the Vagina Museum helps us grow, keeps us safe - and will help us weather yet another storm.
We’ve made it through the pandemic, and with you at our side, we can make it through this. If you can help us in any way, please drop us an email.
In vulval solidarity,
The Vagina Museum team x
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Hypatia (born around be 350-370 CE) was one of the classical period's most amazing women. A philosopher, astronomer mathematician and lecturer, she was said to be comfortable moving amongst men. She never married, and had one of history's iconic rejections of a proposal...
Picture the scene. Hypatia, the fuckin polymath philosopher, astronomer, mathematician, etc etc, is giving a public lecture, teaching knowledge. And then some dude, in the middle of her lecture, in the most egregious "more of a question than a comment" in history PROPOSES TO HER
At first, she tried to diffuse the situation by playing the lyre at him. But this dude was not to be deterred. He very much wanted to turn this lecture given by a respected philosopher, astronomer and mathematician into an opportunity to date her.
sorry if you're seeing bigoted replies on Tara's posts about inclusive menstruation yesterday (we totally agree with everything she said btw). we're blocking and hiding these replies where we see them, but it looks like our quality filter in our notifications is pretty robust!
we'd also like to say that in general, the discussion on Tara's posts was, on the whole, really positive, with many people opening up to talk about their experiences of menstruation, so we're really angry that some trolls want to silence these conversations.
If you're still with us and feeling inspired by this discussion, the good news is that it’s actually quite easy to adapt your language and be more inclusive!
I think there are three important things to consider when trying to be more inclusive:
1) Make sure you're not encouraging shame 2) Remember it's not just cisgender women who menstruate 3) Being inclusive means considering other people's circumstances
I’m super excited to be here this afternoon to discuss all things inclusive period talk with you. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Menstruation, or having a period, is something that has been seen as a negative thing since... well the dawn of time. The concept of menstruating is something that predates language so it’s likely that stigma is pre-agricultural and pre-language.
Although the origin of the stigma surrounding menstruation is still debated, it is fair to say that this bodily function is often seen as something that should be hidden and never spoken about.
We've reviewed our risk assessment in light of legal COVID restrictions ending on 19th July. We've taken the decision that nothing will change after this date: visitors will still be required to wear masks (unless exempt), and we will be operating with a limited capacity.
We've taken this decision because some of our staff and volunteers are vulnerable, or haven't yet had the chance to be fully vaccinated. We know that this will be the case for many of our visitors, too.
If you're visiting the Vagina Museum, these are our rules for visitors, which will remain in place after 19th July to keep you and our team safer. You can book a free timed ticket here. vaginamuseum.co.uk/booktickets
Good morning, who would like to hear about hyena clitorises? Well, great news for those of you who do (and terrible news for those who don't) because you're going to hear about hyena clitorises now.
Female spotted hyenas are unusual in the animal kingdom for two reasons: 1. They don't have an external vaginal opening 2. They have a clitoris so anatomically similar to a penis it's often referred to in literature as a pseudo-penis.
Hyena clitorises - like all clitorises - are comprised of erectile tissue, but hyena clitorises have some added functions. As well as sticking out more and being shaped like a penis, they pee through their clitorises, have sex and give birth through it.