The word **** as opposed to the traditional vagina is used consistently throughout this publication in an effort to reclaim a word that for too long has been viewed as the most offensive insult in the English language. The UQ Union views the **** as a region of women s bodies that is central to their sexuality and a vessel through which we all are born. Therefore it should be used with respect rather than disgust. The use of **** in its appropriate context removes the negative stigma that surrounds the word. We prefer the word **** to vagina as vagina originates from a word meaning sheath for a sword , which reduces the function of women s bodies to the mere fulfilment of heterosexual male pleasure. The feminist reclamation of **** does more than disable the sting from this male insult; it also reverts to its usage in ancient matriarchal societies as a term of respect for women of high status.
While we acknowledge that not all women feel comfortable with the use of the word, we ask that you respect our decision to use **** in this publication. It is a protest against the way that women are conditioned to internalise patriarchal definitions of their anatomy to the extent that they find the mere utterance of the word offensive. By no means do we intend to insult fellow women, but rather to empower them to take back what is theirs.
Respectfully yours,
UQ Union