VIDEO: EASTSIDERS The Series Tackles Abortion in Episode 6

LogoTV.com series "EastSiders" joins the relatively short list of programs in television history that have tackled the controversial topic of abortion. Since Bea Arthur's "Maude" became the first television character to have an abortion in 1972, only a handful of series including "Six Feet Under," "Friday Night Lights," and most recently "Parenthood" have had characters actually go through with the procedure.

In the episode, which debuted yesterday, May 14th at 3pm ET, Kathy (Constance Wu) decides to terminate her pregnancy without notifying her boyfriend Ian (John Halbach). Click below to watch!

Series creator Kit Williamson stated: ""It was really important to me that Kathy's abortion be handled without any judgement. Growing up in Mississippi, the subject of abortion was almost verboten. The sole abortion clinic in the state is constantly under siege by both protestors and lawmakers, with a steady barrage of "regulations" and limitations threatening to undermine a woman's right to choose. It's a fact of life that many women in their mid-twenties have abortions and in a way I felt like avoiding the story the characters were presenting would make me complicit in stigmatizing those women.

"There's never any question for the character of Kathy that terminating the pregnancy is the right decision-- it's something that she feels is a necessity. Kathy's life would need to be completely restructured to accommodate having a child, and she doesn't feel like she's ready. Her relationship isn't ready. So she makes the choice to wait until she is. Sure, she probably should've told Ian about the pregnancy, but the fact that she didn't is almost further evidence that they aren't ready to raise a child together-- they aren't even able to talk about the idea. The subject of the episode isn't really abortion at all-- it's transparency and communication in relationships. "

"EastSiders" stars Williamson as well as Daytime Emmy Nominee Van Hansis, best known for his groundbreaking portrayal of Luke Snyder on "As The World Turns," one of the first gay characters to appear on a soap opera. Episode 6 features guest star appearances from Sean Maher ("Firefly," "The Playboy Club," Joss Wheedon's "Much Ado About Nothing"), Stephen Guarino ("Happy Endings," NBC's upcoming "The Gates"), David Blue ("Stargate Universe," "Ugly Betty"), and Adam Bucci ("Steamroom Stories").
When Cal (Kit Williamson) finds out Thom (Van Hansis) has been cheating on him with Jeremy (Matthew McKelligon), their relationship is turned upside down. Cal's best friend Kathy (Constance Wu) is always there for him with a bottle of whiskey in her purse, but she has her own problems with her nice guy boyfriend Ian (John Halbach), even if they're all in her head. Will the lies tear them apart or are they just stubborn enough to stay together forever? Drunken outbursts and double standards abound in this dark comedy about the sad and funny messes we make out of our lives.

Kit Williamson (Series Creator/Cal) began his career on Broadway, acting in the Tony-Nominated revival of "Talk Radio." He appeared in the indie film "Best Friends Forever" which premiered at Slamdance in 2013 and can be seen this season as copywriter Ed Gifford on AMC's hit drama "Mad Men." As a playwright, he was awarded the Playwrights First Award by The National Arts Club. Other credits include "Numb3rs," "Death Valley" and the hit web series "Hipsterhood," which recently announced a partnership with Blip.TV to present a second season.

"EastSiders" is written and directed by Kit Williamson and produced by Chrissy Dodson, John Halbach, Kristyne Elizabeth Fetsic, Jonathan Stahl, Jaz Moore and Beth Wheatley.

For more information on "EastSiders," go to LOGOTV.com. For up-to-date "EastSiders" news and exclusives, join the "Facebook.com/EastSidersTheSeries" Facebook page or follow the series on Twitter at @EastSidersTv.

Logo celebrates one-of-a-kind personalities, unconventional stories and discovering what's next-all through a mix of original and acquired entertainment that's outrageous, smart and inclusive. Entertaining a social, savvy audience of gay trendsetters, Logo also attracts a straight audience that wants to be ahead of the curve. Launched in 2005, Logo is in over 51 million homes across the United States, and is complemented by a federation of online properties, including LogoTV.com, NewNowNext.com, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com and DowneLink.com. Logo is part of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), which features a roster of popular and highly targeted brands that include MTV, Comedy Central, VH1 and Spike TV.

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