May 6th – 12th is National Clitoris Awareness Week! ((NSFW))

Mention the word "clitoris" and some people get touchy....pun intended.  But that could change quickly because May 6—12 as the first ever "International Clitoris Awareness Week," a seven-day period designed to celebrate the female body part.

The organization behind the week is "Clitoraid," a Las Vegas-based group usually devoted to helping victims of female genital mutilation around the world.  Sounds like a sports drink if you ask me.

However, Clitoraid spokeswoman Nadine Gary said the message behind "Clitoris Awareness Week" is more whimsical.

"We've noticed that the clitoris has not gotten its spot in the limelight. It makes people feel uncomfortable," she told The Huffington Post. "For this week, we don't want to focus on genital mutilation."  Gary said the clitoris has gotten the shaft since the 19th century when orgasms achieved by touching it were considered "immature" compared to vaginal orgasms.

"The clitoris doesn't have a reproductive function so it can be minimized," she said. "It's up to eight inches long -- same as a penis -- but it's inside."  Future International Clitoris Awareness Weeks will be held the first full week of May, which just happens to be National Masturbation Month.  Masturbation is something that Gary hopes to...wait for it....touch on during National Clitoris Week.

"There is a taboo around sexuality," she said. "We want to point it out and talk about it. Maybe some women will go to masturbation seminars."

She is hoping to arouse interest in "Clitoris Week" by having fellow Clitoraid members dress in giant vagina costumes and hand out fliers on the Las Vegas Strip.  Regardless of how the inaugural "Clitoris Week" goes, Gary already is thinking about next year.

"Most American holidays have a drink associated with them," she laughed. "Maybe someone can come up with one."