Over two dozen artists from the LA area bedecked themselves in handmade giant vulva costumes, parading down the aisle of the First Congregational Church of Long Beach as part of the School of Sexuality Project's 2026 “Vulva Gala.”

Bridgett Khoury, a queer Palestinian-Mexican mother and founder of the project since 2020, aimed to shift away from dry medical lectures towards a more community-focused and artistic learning environment. The goal is to make uncomfortable subjects a bit more approachable through humor.

The vulva costumes are part of Khoury’s curriculum to destigmatize human anatomy; her father hand-sews each one in diverse skin tones and shapes. Artists were invited to create something that reflected their lived experiences and celebrated their bodies, some even using the costume to call out injustices such as ICE violence against pregnant women.

“Giving these blank canvases to artists gave them the opportunity to tell their story,” Khoury said, emphasizing the importance of self-expression in education and community building. The event drew approximately 400 guests for this second annual celebration.