AngieAntiTheist and BlogTV Charity

I know I said I’d be taking a break from posting (and indeed I am as it’s difficult yo type with one hand) but today I received an interesting proposition via PM on my YouTube channel from none other than Angie Jackson, better known on YouTube as AngieAntiTheist, herself.

“You’re awesome! I just found you because one of my subs suggested you might be a good fit for the BlogTV charity marathon I’m doing in October (date to be announced) for the National Network of Abortion Funds.

In case you’re unfamiliar with me, I’m the Angie who had an abortion on Twitter & YouTube back in February. I became a sort of accidental spokesperson for abortion after that (my primary cause is religious abuse of children). Since my first video on the subject, called Abortion and filmed while I was at home, undergoing a medical abortion with RU486, I’ve been able to help match women up with funds, with pre and post (secular) abortion counseling, and with facts and statistics on abortion itself.

I’m hoping to have a variety of pro-choice (mostly female) YouTubers come do short 20-40 minute segments during the marathon, talking about either abortion facts, access problems, legal loopholes, or their personal experience with abortion/anti-choicers (for example, a clinic escort volunteer will be talking about his experiences.)

If you think you might be interested, or have any questions please let me know.

Keep up the good fight,

Angie the Anti-Theist”

While I’m fairly certain this wasn’t a message she wrote with me specifically in mind, but was likely sent to several other YouTubers, I’m still incredibly flattered to receive this recognition by such a well known and admired blogger and someone I have been a fan of for a long time. But more importantly, I am pleased to be presented with the opportunity to participate in this charity event and hopefully make some small contribution to making the world a better place for reproductive freedom.

I responded.

“Hello Angie,

Yes, I’m familiar with you. I’ve been subscribed to your channel for some time now, even before your now infamous Abortion video, if I recall. I left some comments but they were surely quickly buried. I just wanted to say how happy I was to see women stand up and tell their stories. 1 in 3 women will have an abortion in her life time, and yet it’s so stigmatized. No one talks about their experience, except the minority who turn anti. Most women, from what I have heard, experience a wide range of emotions but mainly relief. And yet they’re silent.

Well, not so much anymore. I’ve seen a few sites pop up to let women tell their stories and I’ve even seen a few on YouTube.

I was so happy that you were able and willing to speak out and stand your ground in the face of the ensuing scorn. I’m glad you could not be intimidated into silence. You really are a very strong person.

Women are people. We own our own bodies. Abortion is here to stay. And more and more women are able to talk about it openly. The antis will just have to get used to it.

I’ve never been on BlogTV before, nor have I done anything as long as 20-40 minutes, but I would love to give it a go for a good cause. I’ve never had an abortion myself, or even personally known someone who has had one, nor have I ever worked at a clinic.

I am, however a woman with choices. I am aware that I am physically capable of becoming pregnant and it is up to me to deal with this fact as I see fit before and after the fact. I am a woman who (job) and have experienced impediments to my freedom to exercise my reproductive rights in the (job)y health care system. I am a former rabid anti turned pro-choice blogger and have received my share of scorn both online and in real life.

I think I would find plenty to talk about and would love to participate in this event. However, as I mentioned earlier I (job)y and as such I don’t always know where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing. As such, I’ll be awaiting an announcement of the date and hoping that the stars will align so I can participate.”

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