Simply put, Beth Stelling is the best and comedy needs to take care of its own much more often.

Above many other functions that comedy serves, comedy is a rare art form that allows for discussion of and expression on topics that are too dark, tragic, inappropriate, etc. Many people would just rather just say “it” when such topics come up as opposed to saying something like “rape” in normal conversation where comedians are given the latitude to delve in. This is especially true when it comes to comedy that draws directly from a comedian’s life, often making for something incredibly personal, vulnerable, and special. 

Beth Stelling is particularly exceptional in this regard. In fact, she is absolutely one of our favorite comedians to watch because of the way she weaves the funny so beautifully through the darkness in her life.

Hopefully by now, you’ve seen Beth Stelling’s Instagram post about her rape by an ex-boyfriend, who has been noted as being a real dirtbag on several instances from several other women in the LA comedy community. For a long time, she felt conflicted in sharing her horrifying experience as he was still in the community and had specifically asked her to, “…consider me when you talk about your ex because everyone knows who you’re talking about.” In her post, Beth added, “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.”

Fortunately, Beth has now considered otherwise and has received tons of love and support, as she should. 

It’s unfortunate that we live in a time where not only rape is still committed often, but “victim shaming” is a term, and that many women often go years keeping their encounter with sexual assault or rape completely secret. Such traumatic experiences should be talked about and shared because, if nothing else, to find that you’re not alone, it’s not your fault, and to raise awareness that rape is not only happening, but happening closer to home than many people even know. 

So, with all of that said, no one who has suffered such a thing as rape should feel scared in sharing their story because of what else might happen to them. People will have your back whether you know it or not. We can’t speak for the whole world, but if you’re a comedian, you can clearly see with the support Beth has gotten that the comedy community will have your back.

Besides, what would comedy be if you couldn’t talk about it?