Our Abortions

In 2007, I created a podcast series and set out to interview second wave feminists. I googled "feminist" and "NYC" and Betty Dodson's name popped up on the screen. She was living 20 minutes from my apartment. I showed up 3 days early and the rest is history. Read Bad Stories: Sex, Truth, and My Time with Betty Dodson https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFGBDQHC

I had no idea what a "Bodysex" workshop was when Betty invited me to assist her lead a group in Copenhagen. All she told me was to bring a raspberry robe....read Bad Stories: Sex, Truth, and My Time with Betty Dodson https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFGBDQHC

We did a video every Friday for over 10 years - they're all still up on Youtube. I simply got Betty on camera answering questions users had submitted. I still get thank you emails from women who grew up watching our videos - honest information about their sexuality changed their lives. https://www.youtube.com/@CarlinRossBettyDodson. Read Bad Stories: Sex, Truth, and My Time with Betty Dodson https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFGBDQHC

Betty asked me to travel with her to Norway to shoot an episode for their top-rated series. I had no idea would end up on camera. For the record, I never shared a nude pic or made a sex tape until Betty Dodson. read Bad Stories: Sex, Truth, and My Time with Betty Dodson ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFGBDQHC⁠

I talked Betty into filming a workshop in HD for the ages. We put out a casting call....women we never met showed up...we shot with an all female crew...it was extraordinary. Whenever we screen this film, I take something new from it and no one wants it to end. read Bad Stories: Sex, Truth, and My Time with Betty Dodson ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFGBDQHC⁠

My life kept leading me back to sexuality....right to Betty Dodson's door. I thought I'd share a bit more about my back story, my struggles and why Betty Dodson meant everything to me. read Bad Stories: Sex, Truth, and My Time with Betty Dodson ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFGBDQHC⁠

When she wasn't looking, I would snoop through Betty's closets and find treasure. I pieced together her feminist history and documented her contributions by finding original prints of Liberating Masturbation and her unpublished memoir. read Bad Stories: Sex, Truth, and My Time with Betty Dodson ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFGBDQHC⁠

In 1973 - the year I was born - Betty debuted her infamous vulva slideshow and reintroduced the vibrator as a pleasure device at NOW's one and only sexuality conference. I couldn't believe it when I opened a file and found original photos from the conference that showed Betty selling vibes to the women. read Bad Stories: Sex, Truth, and My Time with Betty Dodson ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFGBDQHC⁠

I was Betty's date for her 66th high school reunion in Wichita, Kansas. We reminisced about hand-job Bob and I learned why Betty would never let herself fall in love. read Bad Stories: Sex, Truth, and My Time with Betty Dodson ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFGBDQHC⁠

When I found myself pregnant at the end of a relationship, I had an abortion by the pill at Betty's apartment. It blew her mind and reassured her that feminism had succeeded. There is no shame in reproductive choice. read Bad Stories: Sex, Truth, and My Time with Betty Dodson ⁠https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFGBDQHC⁠