I finally had a little time tonight to finally blog about PETA. Just as I settled in to write, I saw this tweet from Keiko Zoll: VICTORY! @PETA removes ALL links to Nat'l #Infertility Awareness Week! WE DID IT! WE WERE HEARD!
So, I guess there's no point in blogging about it anymore. But, what the heck - I still have things to say. I'm sure by now you've heard the background, but if not check it out here and here. And read some other fantastic letters here and here.
Some people online criticized those of us who spoke out against PETA. I get it. PETA thrives on the public outcry it generates through outrageous and distasteful campaigns. Why reward them with the attention they seek? But for me, it presented the opportunity I'd been looking for.
I "came out" on Facebook last Fall for National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Day. I got some good feedback... and then I never mentioned it again. I've been thinking for the last few weeks about posting again for National Infertility Awareness Week. But I've been nervous. I don't know how many people saw my initial post. And I don't know how many others saw it but immediately forgot again. Did I really want to remind everyone that I've had (shhh) s-e-x? That I've tried to have a baby but failed?
Yes, of course I wanted to. I'm not ashamed. I'm not a failure. I am proud. So PETA gave me the opening I was looking for. I posted a blurb about NIAW with a link to the petition. It didn't seem to get much attention, but that's okay. I firmly believed what I tweeted afterwards: I don't care that I'm giving PETA free PR, because I'm also giving infertility free PR and that matters to me.
The icing on the cake is that PETA has now dropped the reference. I'm amazed and inspired. Now please excuse me while I go donate to Resolve...
In other news, my sister had her baby. It's a girl and all is well. Her doctor described the delivery as "textbook." I was pretty upset the night she was in labor (not for her but for what for mine were not), but I've been mostly okay since then. I'll be visiting over Easter so I have a little more time to get used to it.
