Mormon gender inequities highlighted in the New York Times

In a 2016 poll of millennial church members, only 14 percent said they thought it was okay to remove the garments for comfortability. Photo: Michael Hart

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Last week in the New York Times, Ruth Graham profiled Sasha Piton, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Piton, 33, had recently garnered attention on her Instagram (@themormonhippie), where she had voiced her concerns about the pain her sacred temple garments (“Mormon underwear”) were causing her to her thousands of followers. She now has almost 24,000 fans since the article was published.

“My vagina has to breathe,” she said in a post to the community.

Church members historically are supposed to wear their garments day and night. Adult Latter-day Saints are adorned with them following their endowment ceremony. The church website says the garments are worn as “an outward expression of an inward commitment.”

In a 2016 poll of millennial church members, only 14 percent said they thought it was okay to remove the garments for comfortability.

Dr. Kellie Woodfield, an obstetrician-gynecologist and member of the Mormon church, told Graham, “if you’re trying to optimize someone’s gynecologic health, it’s not recommended.”

In a reflection video posted this weekend titled ‘NY Times & Vulnerability’, Piton highlighted the common misunderstanding with the Mormon tradition. “That level of misunderstanding was gutwrenching,” she said referring to when she joined the church in 2009.

When Mitt Romney ran for President in 2012, he was mocked for wearing “magic Mormon underwear.”

Piton appeared comfortable in her reflection video. It was clear she had achieved her objective of creating a more common understanding of Mormon orthodoxy. “Every religion has sacred clothing. I respect those the same way I hope others would respect ours.”

She said she was very happy with her portrayal in the Times and the responses she has received — although she mentioned she is avoiding comments on most social platforms.

“There have been so many beautiful things that have happened. At the end of the day — this is about using your voice.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUZk6xAlEO8