MY WOMANIFESTO

If you are a woman and you haven't read the book CUNT by Inga Muscio, listen up: put down WHATEVER you are doing, call in sick to work, get some caffeine and READ IT. It is probably the most important thing you will ever read. I make sure to read it at least once every six months. Every time I do, I find passages that hit me as they didn't before.

In the book, Inga gives her Womanifesto and insists that all women do the same. I never have before. I always decide I need to think about it more, work on it for a long time. But as a writer, i know there is an endless opportunity for rewrite. Soooo...this is unpolished and we will call it DRAFT 1.

I need to write this today because I am TIRED of being groped on the streets with no recourse. I am TIRED of being leered at. I am TIRED of having men whisper all kinds of disgusting things to me as I pass them on the street.

WOMANIFESTO, Lori style

I will love my goddess body every day whether I am bloated, fat, bleeding, or broken out because of the amazing things it can do

I will not tolerate anyone touching my goddess body without asking for AND receiving permission

I will wear whatever shoes I choose; heels if I want even though men think I am already too tall, flats if I want because I do not need to be in pain to be beautiful, and no shoes at all if there is something I want to wiggle my toes in

I will wear my hair exactly as I want. I will only comb it on days that I feel so inclined. I will only style it on days when I feel so inclined. It will always look fabulous.

I will not allow any man to make decisions for me. I will not allow my jealousy for any woman to drive me.

All of my artistic and personal endeavors will be done with idea of glorifying all goddesses everywhere.

I have the right to tell one man to ravish me and another to slow down; to stay all night in the arms of one man and leave another as soon as I am satisfied.

I can love my independence and crave companionship simultaneously.

I can refuse to remain in ANY room, ANY situation, and with ANY person that does not respect cunts and cuntlovers

NO man will ever complete me as I am a whole and complete and wonderful individual; however, I will search for someone who can enhance my life and balance my spirit.

I will enjoy the cycle of my body and allow myself to feel as I feel. I will not apologize for PMS, I will not be embarrassed to bleed, I will not hide my arousal or lack thereof. And I will never ever again fake that fantastic moment that men have little interest in actually bringing about.

If you do not satisfy me, I will show you how. If you are uninterested, you are unworthy.

I will never stop fighting for the safety of my kind; never stop yelling about the ATROCITY of rape and the miracle of cuntloving men.

I will never allow a man to convince me a condom is restrictive, because even STDs have a chauvinist tendency. And any man who can't wear a condom does not have the ability to please me in any way whatsoever. And never did ;)

I accept that I am attracted to men and fascinated by women; I can appreciate the feel of a cock and the beauty of a cunt.

I will never say no when I mean yes as that inevitably leads to the repulsive rape of another goddess. When I say no, I will mean no and not change my mind. When I say no and you don't listen, I will show the same violence towards you and you have demonstrated toward me.

I am free not only to be who I am but to love who I am.