This photograph of “latrinalia” (Cole 1991:403) was taken in a women’s washroom stall in Buchanan. The privacy that this location provides has contributed to the formation of a community who, although strangers, communicate via the stall door. The privacy of the stall allows for an increased anonymity, and due to the gender-specific location, women are “able to share interests and experiences they may not generally share with men” (Cole 1991:403). Entitled the “SEX DOOR,” this particular graffiti contains a frank commentary about sex that might be considered inappropriate if verbalized. One comment reads, “Nothing wrong with anal.” Another asks, “Does sex actually feel good? Because fingering doesn’t feel like anything. Is that normal?”
The responses form the community. Some people offer contrary opinions: one person suggests that people who engage in anal sex are “confused about where it should go.” Others answer queries and provide support. Responding to the question above, someone writes, “It’s normal for fingering not to feel like regular sex. It’s a finger, not a penis/strap-on/fist/whatever you’re into. Sometimes fingering is better than sex, sometimes it isn’t. It depends on you. :)” Another suggests, “Try to get him/her to do stuff w/your clit.” Cole likens similar communities to consciousness-raising groups, whose primary purpose is to allow women to discuss issues that affect their gender (Cole 1991:403). Ultimately, the anonymity offered by the location and the informal nature of graffiti allow women to express themselves to one another more freely than would be expected in a face-to-face situation.

Cole, Caroline M.
1991  ‘Oh wise women of the stalls . . .’ Discourse & Society 2(4):401-411.