In a bid to bolster abortion access, organizations are distributing contraceptives at Olivia Rodrigo concerts. The celebrated pop star recently made waves by collaborating with abortion care organizations, the Missouri Abortion Fund and Right By You, who provided resources and emergency contraceptives during her St. Louis performance.
Under Missouri law, abortion is strictly limited except in cases of medical emergencies posing a substantial and irreversible risk to primary bodily functions. This stringent legislation has faced criticism, particularly from advocates seeking to include exceptions for rape and incest within the state’s near-total abortion ban.
Photos captured by fans at the concert depict a discreet exchange accompanied by the phrase “Funding abortion? It’s a good idea, right?” — a subtle nod to Rodrigo’s hit song “Bad Idea, Right?” Responding to this initiative, Meena Harris, founder of Phenomenal Ventures and niece of Vice President Kamala Harris, applauded the move on Instagram.
However, Missouri state Sen. Bill Eigel, a Republican, posted to X on Wednesday to say he was “horrified” by the move “as the father of a daughter.” “Abortion hurts women,” he wrote. “@oliviarodrigo is actively harming women in Missouri by championing abortion. She should be ashamed.”
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In addition to her advocacy at concerts, Rodrigo has launched Fund 4 Good, a global initiative dedicated to advancing reproductive health freedom for women, girls, and marginalized individuals. A portion of ticket sales from each of her shows goes toward supporting local abortion funds.
Moreover, for her North American tour, Rodrigo has teamed up with the National Network of Abortion Funds. Comprising 100 abortion funds nationwide, this non-profit organization aims to alleviate economic and logistical barriers for individuals seeking abortions, offering translation, transportation, childcare, and doula services.
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Oriaku Njoku, executive director of the National Network of Abortion Funds, emphasized the significance of supporting abortion funds, particularly in the face of ongoing threats to abortion access. Njoku lauded Rodrigo for her commitment to uplifting the critical work of abortion funds and mobilizing her fans in the fight for reproductive freedom.
“Supporting abortion funds has never been more critical in an era where abortion access is under relentless attack,” Oriaku Njoku said in a statement shared with USA TODAY when Rodrigo announced the fund. “We are excited to partner with Olivia Rodrigo, as she’s uplifting the critical work of abortion funds and leading (her fans) into the movement towards reproductive freedom!”
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Rodrigo isn’t the only musician handing out items to make a political statement. In November, pop star Pink partnered with PEN America and Florida bookseller Books & Books to give away thousands of banned titles at her Florida concerts.
“The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman and Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” were among those distributed. Pen America reported that Florida, along with Texas, Missouri, Utah, and South Carolina, had the most instances of book banning in 2023.
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