Why Olivia Rodrigo handed out the morning-after pill at concerts

Pick up plan B while listening to music? These concert-goers are praising a singer for giving out contraceptives.

A brunette woman sits at a piano smiling with her hands on the keys.

It is not the first time the pop star has taken a stance on the issue of reproductive rights in the United States. Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur

Olivia Rodrigo fans have left her concerts with free emergency contraceptives.

Packs containing condoms and two morning-after pills, a progestin-only contraceptive, were distributed at her Missouri concert this week.

Abortion is illegal in the state.

The 21-year-old is also promoting abortion rights by donating proceeds from her Guts World Tour to the National Network for Abortion Funds.
Non-profit Missouri Abortion Fund posted photos of tables where its members handed out the packs containing two of the $US42 ($63) Plan-B pills.

"It’s brutal out here in Missouri, but we are here for abortion access and hand out Plan B with @TextRightByYou," the non-profit said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The emergency contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex and are a different medication to
Right By You is a Missouri-based text line that gives information and advice on accessing abortion in the state.

Fans thanked Rodrigo across social media for the initiative in Missouri.

However, tour organisers have since decided to discontinue handing out the contraceptives, according to social media posts by both the Missouri and Carolina Abortion Funds.

Last month Missouri senators voted against proposed amendments to the state's abortion law that would have given victims of rape or incest access to abortion. It's only available under medical exemptions in Missouri.

It is not the first time the pop star has spoken out about barriers to reproductive care for women in the United States.

On the day that the, Rodrigo took to the stage with fellow singer Lily Allen at Glastonbury to share her devastation over the decision.
"I’m devastated and terrified that so many women and so many girls are going to die because of this," she said last June.

The duo sang Allen's 2009 single F— You, dedicating it to the five members of the Supreme Court who overturned the 1973 case that protected women's right to abortion.

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Published 15 March 2024 4:07pm
Updated 15 March 2024 7:22pm
Source: SBS News


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