He would not relent even when actual gynecologists chimed in
Women are used to dudes mansplaining all types of subjects to them — politics, technology, our own jobs, sexual harassment, feminism, our opinions, things we never asked for their opinion on in the first place — you name it. But one man took things to another level over the weekend when he mansplained a body part women possess that he does not.
It all started when The Guardian tweeted an article titled “Me and my vulva: 100 women reveal all.” The article was about a photo series (and film) created by Laura Dodsworth called Womanhood, where she shares “stories of 100 women and gender non-conforming people through portraits of their vulvas” meant to decrease stigmas around women’s bodies.
Me and my vulva: 100 women reveal all https://t.co/sLwnce6Myj
— The Guardian (@guardian) February 10, 2019
Naturally, this seemed the perfect opportunity for a man named Paul to educate us gals on our body part’s correct name — which he believes is “vagina.”
The correct word is vagina.
— Paul Bullen (@paulbullen) February 10, 2019
Bless his heart. Paul is about to be taken to school by a number of intelligent women who aren’t here for his nonsense.
Hi Paul 👋🏼
— Mich (@decolover61) February 10, 2019
No it’s not. But thanks for the mansplaining on something you obvs know nothing about.
I’m a gynecologist who also happens to be skilled in the yarn arts, and it’s #vulva. I knitted you a visual in case the photos were too overwhelming. pic.twitter.com/Exa5kDB1SF
— Dr. Diane Horvath 💖💜💙 (@GynAndTonic) February 11, 2019
Paul was not having any of it and decided this was a good time to double down, not only on the vagina versus vulva argument but on the term mansplaining itself:
That’s an incorrect use of the word mansplaining. :-). Not that I want to legitimize the term, but by its own definition it requires more than just having just a man who is explaining something. Even if some in the audience are women.
— Paul Bullen (@paulbullen) February 10, 2019
Twitter was quick to point out the obvious:
— Embrace the Pandemonium (@metasynchronic) February 11, 2019
Men mansplaining what mansplaining is, and is not, is honestly one of my favourite things on the internet
— Dr Caoimhe Ní Dhónaill (@Coifsh) February 10, 2019
But back to the education of Paul:
No, those are vulva. The vagina is the internal passage leading from the uterus. If you don’t know this at your age, any female sex partners you’ve had have my utmost sympathy.
— Deedeemarz (@deedeemarz) February 11, 2019
Vulva was used because it is vulvas that have been photographed and it is vulvas that are being discussed in the article/photography piece. It's that simple. Vagina is not the correct word. Vulva, Paul, vulva. #issavulvabruh
— Transatlantic Notes (@saltwatersong) February 11, 2019
I can’t believe you think your knowledge is more important than a gynecologists on this topic. This is the height of mansplaining.
— #DunningKrugerEffect, LCSW 🍍 (@TheQueenRegnant) February 11, 2019
Paul sucks at cunnilingus.
— Shannon Stamey (@ShannonStamey) February 10, 2019
Paul, quit while you’re not ahead.
— Dan Blondeau (@blondeau_dan) February 12, 2019
Even Dictionary.com couldn’t hold back:
Well. Actually. https://t.co/Fn2mW7hze1
— Dictionary.com (@Dictionarycom) February 10, 2019
Paul, being a white man, refused to back down even though he’s surrounded by tigers wearing a meat suit. He just kept at it in a series of now-deleted tweets:
oh my god pic.twitter.com/41cPFUqcbE
— i bless the rains down in Castamere (@Chinchillazllla) February 10, 2019
still going btw pic.twitter.com/nnZiZkDnmm
— i bless the rains down in Castamere (@Chinchillazllla) February 11, 2019
You really have to hand it to him, he is committed if nothing else, which didn’t go unnoticed:
Clearly he's picked this mons to die on.
— Steve Hawley (@_plinth_) February 11, 2019
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, someone pointed out in addition to Paul holding both a PhD and a masters, he also holds a “Certicate In Editing.” He has since corrected this error, which is both hilarious and almost makes me feel a teeny bit sorry for him:
‘Certicate In Editing’ hmmmmm surely you meant ‘Certificate In Editing’ ........... pic.twitter.com/zVLOdUSiEv
— polly molotov 1800 828 010 #WeWillProvide (@NursepollyRgn) February 10, 2019
If there are any more Pauls reading this, the vulva is “the external female genitalia that surround the opening to the vagina; collectively these consist of the labia majora, the labia minora, clitoris, vestibule of the vagina, bulb of the vestibule, and the glands of Bartholin.” The vagina is located in front of the rectum and behind the bladder (i.e. inside the body). This is actual irrefutable scientific fact, no matter how completely convinced Paul is otherwise.
It seems poor Paul may be forever known as the Man Who Tried Unsuccessfully To Explain Female Anatomy To Females. He tried tweeting something completely unrelated (though obviously still being a real arsehole in the process) and his “fans” want to make sure he hasn’t forgotten about Vulvagate:
Check out this quote. "If your goal is to get healthy and heal the body, sprouts are essential in your diet." https://t.co/a2EkdljIRk
— Paul Bullen (@paulbullen) February 1, 2019
Perhaps this is as good an example as any to remind men if they feel they need to educate an entire population, take a quick second to do some research of your own and make sure (I mean, really sure) you know what you’re talking about. Then, when you’re really super sure, please kindly remain silent anyway. Good talk.