Vulva 101: The Textbook We Wish We Had

Not too long ago, I wrote a post about the diversity of vulvas from the book I'll Show You Mine, which offered stories and explicit images of each participant's vulva. Like other picture books on genitalia, it's a landmark towards sex-positive body image and proof that more needs to exist.

You want more? How about one-hundred and one more?

"Vulva 101", a photography book by Hilton Coxwell, presents a photographic study of over one-hundred intimate areas, including essays on his journey and process. It's a beautiful collection that presents an artful framing of anatomy that can position itself as a broad option for those curious to browse the diversity of down there.

Hilton has recently made an eBook version, and both this and the hardcover version are available through Vulva101.com. He's also created a pubic hair survey, the data from which may be compiled into the second volume of his book. (Those interested in filling out the survey can be entered to win a free copy of the book itself.)

A beautiful display of angles and spreads, it is also inclusive of at least two pages of post-op transsexual female anatomy. This fact actually makes me yearn for an ALL genitalia picture book, with intersex and non- or pre-op trans* parts and male anatomy. As pervasive as penis is, it too gets shafted when it comes to visual representation in porn-as-sex-ed supersized screen time. Flaccid and non-circumsized members are as rare as large labias and pubic hair. I think we're all limited in the options of what we have to look at. The chance to compare, contrast, and learn to love our unique designs as we ask, am I normal?

The truth is: we're each special, unique snowflakes.
Each and every one of us.

· Photos from Vulva 101 (vulva101.com)

[This post is a part of Fleshbot's Jiz Lee Week. Follow all of Jiz's posts here!]