L.A.-based comedian Beth Stelling on Monday posted these photos of her legs and arms covered in bruises to Instagram. Accompanying the photos was a harrowing story of abuse that Stelling said she suffered in a previous relationship.
Stelling's story reads:
Same girl in all of these photos (me). I've had an amazing year and you've seen the highlights here, so these photos are an uncommon thing to share but not an uncommon issue. You may be weirded out but do read on. I have a point. There are many reasons not to make an abusive relationship public, mostly fear. Scared of what people will think, scared it makes me look weak or unprofessional.
When I broke up with my ex this summer, it wasn't because I didn't love him, it was because of this. And I absolutely relapsed and contacted him with things I shouldn't have, but there are no "best practices" with this. When friends or comics ask why we broke up it's not easy or comfortable to reply; it doesn't seem like the appropriate thing to say at a stand-up show, a party or a wedding. It's embarrassing. I feel stupid. After being verbally, physically abused and raped, I dated him for two more months. It's not simple.
After I broke up with him he said, "You're very open and honest in your stand-up, and I just ask that you consider me when you talk about your ex because everyone knows who you're talking about." And I abided. I wrote vague jokes because we both live in L.A. and I didn't want to hurt him, start a war, press charges, be interrogated or harassed by him or his friends and family. I wanted to move on and forget because I didn't understand. I don't want revenge or to hurt him now, but it's unhealthy to keep this inside because my stand-up is pulled directly from my life. It's how I make my living. My personal is my professional. That is how I've always been; I make dark, funny.
So now I'm allowing this to be part of my story. It's not my only story, so please don't let it be. If you live in L.A., you've already started to hear my jokes about this and I ask you to have the courage to listen and accept it because I'm trying. Already since talking about this onstage, many women have come to me after shows asking me to keep doing it. Men have shown their solidarity.
An ex-girlfriend of this ex-boyfriend came to me and shared that she experienced the same fate. Then there was another and another (men and women) who shared other injustices at his hand that...
Stelling's candid and honest account struck a chord with a lot of people, and many of her fellow comedians took to Twitter to commend her for her bravery and honesty.
This makes me feel many things but chief among them is that @BethStelling is awesome & I'm happy we are friends. https://t.co/FJkvWxmLPm
If @BethStelling have one girl the courage to stand up for herself then the post was worth it.
Mine, too. Please read this. @BethStelling rules at comedy, humanity & courage. Also GODDAMIT. https://t.co/uosgrPZ9xD
For resources on domestic and relationship abuse, visit the Center for
Relationship Abuse Awareness online.