A Michigan lawmaker who was barred from speaking because Republicans objected to her saying "vagina" during debate over anti-abortion legislation performed The Vagina Monologues last night on the Statehouse steps in Lansing.

"I'm overwhelmed," Brown told the crowd. "Who would have thought one little floor speech could end in this?"

Capitol facilities director Steve Benkovsky estimated about 2,500 people watched the "Vaginas Take Back the Capitol!" event, although other sources such as Think Progress estimated 5,000 people in attendance.

Eve Ensler, whose groundbreaking play about women's sexuality still packs theaters 16 years after it debuted, oversaw the performance by Democratic state Rep. Lisa Brown, other lawmakers and several actresses.

Watch the video of Ensler closing the performance:

Brown made her comments during debate last week on legislation that supporters say would make abortions safer but that opponents say would make it harder for women to get abortions.

"I'm flattered you're all so concerned about my vagina," she told Republicans. "But no means no."

Brown was barred from speaking in the House during the next day's session. House Republicans say they didn't object to her saying "vagina." They said Brown compared the legislation to rape, violating House decorum.  Brown denied the allegation on The Ed Show on Friday.  

Watch the video:

Democratic Rep. Barb Byrum said she also was barred from speaking last Thursday because she referred to vasectomies during the debate.

"I'm overwhelmed by how much attention we're getting around the world," Byrum told the crowd last night, just before appearing on The Ed Show.  Watch the video: 

Doug Mataconis (@dmataconis) via Twitter

Hundreds of people gathered outside the capitol in Lansing, Michigan, tonight to listen to a performance of The Vagina Monologues by eleven female lawmakers.

And this sign from tonight’s event said it all: "Vaginas brought you into the world and vaginas will vote you out."

This all stems from a debate over abortion legislation.  Rep. Lisa Brown was censured for using the word vagina on the House floor.

"And finally, Mr. Speaker, I'm flattered that you're all so interested in my vagina, but no means no,” Brown said Wednesday.

Republican leaders insisted they were offended by her "rape reference,” not the word "vagina."

Brown was not allowed to speak on the House floor again.  The GOP wouldn't let her debate a teacher retirement bill the next day. 

Rep. Barb Byrum was also silenced after she tried to suggest an amendment to legislate vasectomies (she was our guest on tonight's show; watch the video below). 

Michigan Republicans say both women simply violated the rules of decorum.  And the leader of the House, accused both women of throwing temper tantrums.

War on the poor, courtesy of House Republicans, with an unbelievable bill with draconian cuts.  E.J. Dionne, a Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institution and Washington Post columnist, hashes it out with Ed Schultz.

Governor Jan Brewer signs a law that defunds Planned Parenthood for women. The move will likely hurt low income women the most.  Terry O’Neill, President of The National Organization for Women, weighed in on Monday. 

Timjones.com

Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones (R) presiding over House debate.

The Missouri House passed a bill that would allow medical practitioners to deny covering certain reproductive procedures based on religion objections.

The bill's sponsor, House Majority Leader Tim Jones (R) argued on the Missouri House floor that this bill will make sure all of the medical staff will be committed to every procedure. He is concerned that some members on the surgical team may hold back on their assistance in the operating room because of their deeply-held religious beliefs.

Then Jones, a former Attorney, cited own his experience with the medical field:

I've been in operating rooms. My father is a veterinarian. I grew up in operating rooms...they are crowded places...and you want those people all in.

Jones says his statement was taken out of context and Missouri state Rep. Jeanie Riddle (R) rushed to his aide.

"He was not comparing women to a veterinarian operation," she said. "He has been in hospitals around Missouri watching operations. To say he was comparing women to a veterinarian operation is disingenuine."

Republicans maintain that the bill gives medical workers more rights and freedoms.  But Rep. Stacy Newman, a Democrat, sees it differently.

"This is legalizing malpractice, that is wrong," said Newman.  "If we are not getting accurate medical information in our time of crisis, this is a war on women."

The bill passed the house 113-41. It is unclear if the state Senate will take up the bill or if Governor Jay Nixon (D) will sign it if it reaches his desk.

You can hear the full audio of Tim Jones' statement on the House floor here.