Many of my favorite women will gather in London to discuss infertility and childlessness later this month. Ten years ago we were little more than a silent sorority online. Today women (and men) are now stepping forward boldly to tell their stories.
April 27: Community and Connection
There’s a whole day of arts programming around childlessness on Sat 27th April at the Barbican (London). What I wouldn’t give to be there in person but schedules didn’t align. I will follow and share highlights via my Twitter account.
Chair of the day, Jody Day writes, “You wouldn’t think that something called ‘FertilityFest’ is something I’d write about.” (Thought the same thing, Jody.)
We both, however, are huge fans of the catalyst behind this unprecedented arts festival: Jessica Hepburn. Jessica is a veteran of eleven rounds of unsuccessful IVF and the author of two books featured here and here. She is also an advisor to ReproTechTruths. (More on that initiative and another London event June 3 where I will speak and participate soon. Details in my next post).
Avalanche On Stage
Meanwhile, for a brief period, if you buy tickets to any one of the following events: The Invisible Man (Thursday 25th April) OR There’s More To Life Than Children (Saturday 27th April) OR Trying To Conceive (Sunday 28th April) you might score FREE tickets to one of the two opening preview performances of Julia Leigh’s Avalanche, starring the amazing Maxine Peake. Here’s my interview with Julia Leigh not long after her book’s debut.
To qualify, book your day ticket via @barbicancentre: https://tickets.barbican.org.uk/eticketing/login.asp… then email Tracey@fertilityfest.com asap with details of purchase, who will arrange free admission. Don’t delay as places are limited and going quickly!
Jody breaks down the day and offers more details on her Gateway Women blog. You can also connect April 27 with Fertility Fest Heroes: Berenice Smith, Kelly da Silva, and Lesley Pyne
May 3: Anything You Lose
Mark your calendars as well for the UK premiere of Irina Vodar’s film, Anything You Lose. Ahead of the May 3, 1:45 pm GMT screening Irina provides background and perspective on the making of her documentary and the lessons learned. Tune in and subscribe to her new biweekly video series on surviving infertility treatments. Irina will feature a few familiar faces in this series (yours truly included). It’s a first-of-its-kind focus on the taboo of infertility and the complex aftermath of failed IVF. As Irina says in episode one, our physical infertility and IVF stories may differ, but we live a shared emotional response.
For added reading, check out this Silent Sorority interview with Irina Vodar. It took place not long after we first connected. The taboo of infertility and childlessness and the issues raised in our discussion still resonate.
There are 50+ comments on that post so we clearly hit on a few important points. Feel free to add yours to this post.
Oh, I wish I didn’t live so far from London! (well, anywhere, really – lol) Such an exciting list of events coming up. What a lot of hard work, but passionate work, has gone into these. Brava to all involved!