LORENA BOBBITT

The Landmark

West Los Angeles, CA

June 3, 2019

Photo credit: Lorena Bobbitt

If you weren’t around to see this you probably wouldn’t believe it, but to catch everybody up: In 1993, after years of continued rape and domestic abuse, Lorena Bobbitt had had enough and she sliced her husband’s penis clean off. Then, she got in her car, took it for a short drive, and tossed that baby out the window and into a field. Yep. That really happened. It was the ultimate 90s tabloid media circus.

Fast forward to June 3, 2019: I was at the theater to see part three of Amazon’s four-part docu-series about Lorena, John, and the Bobbitt trial. I love documentaries, and the fact that the infamous penis-slasher was going to be in the house talking with the director was a colossal bonus.

Minutes into the movie, I was captivated, and after watching only an hour of her story, there were already several times when I had to stop myself from crying. Her experience was horrible.

I’d been looking forward to meeting the unstable caricature of a woman the media had created, but instead, I met Lorena Gallo, a soft-spoken woman who had reclaimed her maiden name. And let me just say—she is a gem. Kind, authentic, and empowered with a grounded, loving energy. If you didn’t know this petite blonde in the flowery dress had been on trial for malicious wounding of her husband, you’d never guess.

Now she travels the country speaking at battered women’s shelters, colleges, and movie screenings—anywhere she is needed. Like a superhero.

After the movie, there was a Q&A with Lorena and the director, then the floor was opened so anyone could go up and talk to her. Several women got in line. Most were sharing their stories of domestic violence, so because my conversation would have redirected the topic, I waited to be the last person in line. I took that hour-long opportunity to collect myself so I could approach her with some dignity, then I said hello.

I told her I didn’t have any experience with domestic violence. “And really,” I said, “I came here thinking I’d meet Lorena Bobbitt the tabloid TV star, but now I don’t see you as that woman at all. I see you as the pinnacle of women’s empowerment.” I was overtaken with admiration, so she gave me a hug to calm me down. I’d been wanting to give her a hug for surviving everything she’d been through, but now she was comforting me after just watching a movie about everything she’d been through. 

She told me my words made a difference to her, and that made my day. It also made me cry again so some woman gave me a tissue. How embarrassing.

After all that crying, I told her about My Celebrity Photo Album. She agreed to take a picture, but I was a mess. I said, “Go ahead and talk to someone else until I’m a little more photo-ready.” To speed up the process, I waved my hand at my face as women do after crying in public. However, just as I’d planned, I was the last person she had to talk with. We both noticed that at the same time, so I did the best I could with the gifted tissue.

I explained that she could take whatever kind of photo she wanted as long as I was in it, but she simply wanted me to join her in a selfie. And what Lorena wants, Lorena gets.

We posed for a couple of photos, then she started to wrap things up with the group. She gave everyone her email address, presumably so we can keep in touch and turn to her if we need support. That was very generous, and as valuable as I believe her contact information can be, I’m not going to pass it along. Rather, I’ll suggest that if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, please call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (or visit thehotline.org) for confidential support 24/7/365.

When John Bobbitt presents a relevant documentary, I’ll be sure to check it out, but until then, I’m pro-Lorena.

Thanks for the photos, Miss Gallo!! Now, you get back out there and make this world a better place. You are a beautiful inspiration, and your unassuming, floral, superhero costume is a nice touch.

Photo credit: Lorena Bobbitt