This is my photograph. This is my body. This is my menstrual blood. I took it for a introductory digital photo class, submitted for a texture and balance assignment.  I decided to take it because I thought I could show texture and balance well with this.  I think I got a B. It’s art. It shows reality. It shows part of who I am. It shows part of who most people on the earth are.  There is a ridiculous amount of notes on this (almost 5 thousand…), and I am proud to have taken a photograph that many enjoy.

To those who like this photograph:

Here is my final project for the same class, it is a series of 15 photographs of women, myself included, and its purpose is to show the natural variety in areolas and nipples.

Also, let me take this opportunity to promote the feminine hygiene product I use: The Diva Cup. It’s the most economical option, and if you care about the amount of waste you produce using tampons, it is a wonderful alternative. It is made of silicone. Doesn’t silicone sound so much nicer than cotton? It is :)

This photo was also blogged here, and was generally received negatively.  Let me post some of my favorite comments in the reblogs:

• why do people feel its necessary to make posts about ovulation fuck you your pussy wont be the only thing bleeding if you dont shut the fuck up

• and women wonder why there is no equality for them. they do dumb shit like this

• this is plain disgusting. i find my own period horrid enough, i don’t need to see other people’s as well thanks

• EW WHAT THE FUCK. PERIODS ARE VILE, GROSS, PAINFUL, AND UNNEEDED WHY CANT OUR VAGINAS JUST SEND OUT A LITTLE NOTE THAT SAYS WE NOT PREGNANT?! lol jk that’s not possible. But I still hate my period. Ishh

• periods are fucking gross.  They hurt, they make women mean and lethargic, period tissue smells like a dead animal and on top of it all, its unsanitary.  So nobody wants to see that shit.  Including other women.  And especially men, who oppress women.  Put a tampon in it and act fucking normal and maybe we’ll have some progress.

• ^^^ WHY IS IT ON HER LEGS? EW EW EW. >

                    (Um, do they think this is a candid shot?) 

I understand, most people do not find blood beautiful, and it would be ridiculous for me to think that everyone would feel “fine” with looking at this photograph- what bothers me that it is being received by some as offensive because it’s menstrual blood. A great deal of the people reblogging this and adding “grossed out” comments also reblog shittons of self-injury photographs. Because blood is only gross when it comes from a vagina. Grow up, you fucks. Nevermind, the majority of tumblr users are 14 years old. Maturing might not be feasible. Not while you still think your own period is “horrid”.