Lawmaker banned after abortion comment

DETROIT (AP) - A state lawmaker from the Detroit area says she's getting support from across the country after she referred to her vagina on the House floor and was banned from speaking the next day.

Rep. Lisa Brown, a Democrat from Oakland County, says she was punished Thursday by Republicans who control the Michigan House. A day earlier, while speaking against an anti-abortion bill, Brown told Republicans, "I'm flattered you're all so concerned about my vagina. But no means no."

Republican leaders said Brown violated House decorum. A second Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Barb Byrum of Ingham County, says she was silenced after a reference to vasectomies.

Brown says she's surprised her comments led to a backlash from Republicans. She says vagina can be found in Michigan law in at least three places.