This burlesque performer is putting on a birth control-themed show for an amazing cause
If you live in or near Columbus, Ohio, there’s a show you definitely can’t miss — 26-year-old Kelley Freeman’s contraceptive-themed burlesque performance. Putting her crafting skills to the best use possible, Freeman spent five hours creating a wearable birth control packet to use as part of her upcoming show, which will spotlight (you guessed it!) reproductive rights.
The burlesque performer, who is seven months pregnant, is hosting performances March 23rd-March 24th to benefit Women Have Options, an Ohio-based nonprofit that provides women with financial assistance for contraception, emergency contraception, and abortion services.
Freeman used cardboard, foam, and “a lot of hot glue” to construct the costume.
Look at the #birthcontrol suit I made for #burlesque show tonight (proceeds go to @WHOohio for #bowl17)! #fundabortionbuildpower pic.twitter.com/FjCPmC2jzx
— Skelleyton FrEEK!man (@ohnoitskelley) March 23, 2017
She’ll sing Loretta Lynn’s controversial feminist song “The Pill” and conclude the performance by donning the birth control costume.
Freeman has been a longtime supporter of Women Have Options, and she says being pregnant has made her even more pro-choice.
"This is something I want to do, and I can't imagine being forced to go through it," she explained. "I threw up last week because of an overripe orange somewhere in my kitchen! It's not the beautiful sunshine picnic anti-choicers seem to try to make it."
If Freeman has time, she plans to create birth control packet-shaped nipple pasties to wear during the performance. Even if you don’t typically attend burlesque performances, this is one show you’ll definitely want to catch if you live nearby. The rest of us will just have to wait until some kind folks share photos and videos on social media (hint, hint).