The pop star Olivia Rodrigo, who has a predominantly Generation Z fanbase, handed out free birth control pills and condoms at her concert in St. Louis, Missouri on Tuesday night.
Rodrigo Hands Out Birth Control, Condoms
Variety reported that fans attending Rodrigo’s concert were able to grab a package that includes two boxes of Julie, which is an emergency contraceptive that helps prevent pregnancy if it is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. They were also given free condoms and cards with QR codes that were linked to abortion access resources and the Missouri Abortion Fund.
Abortion is illegal in Missouri in the wake of the 2022 Supreme Court overturn of Roe v. Wade, and it can only be carried out to save the life of a pregnant person, according to NBC News. Since the overturn, 14 states have made abortion illegal, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Before embarking on her current GUTS Tour, the 21 year-old Rodrigo launched Fund 4 Good, an initiative that she claimed “works to support all women, girls and people seeking reproductive health freedom.”
Rodrigo went on to say that her organization will directly support community-based nonprofits championing girls education and reproductive rights and preventing gender-based violence. She also partnered with the National Network of Abortion Funds, giving that organization its own booth at each of her concert stops.
Advocacy Groups Thank Rodrigo
NPR reported that at her St. Louis concert, Rodrigo allowed various advocacy groups to set up tables with pamphlets of information and resources.
“It was our decision to bring the emergency contraception, which we always do when we table,” said Stephanie Kraft Sheley, project director of Right By You, one of the Missouri-based advocacy groups. “It wasn’t necessarily something [Olivia’s team] asked us to do.”
“I think it’s hard for folks that aren’t living in banned states to understand the crisis that this is creating across the maternal and perinatal health landscape, not just around abortion,” Sheley added. “And so it’s it’s really vital to see this kind of support.”
Julie released a statement thanking Rodrigo for handing out their birth control contraceptives at her concerts.
“We launched Julie to rewrite the morning-after experience for a new generation,” the statement read. “Replacing the stigma and shame often associated with emergency contraception with access, exploration, and education is core to who we are, and we’re thankful for artists like Olivia Rodrigo and initiatives like the Missouri Abortion Fund who share our mission.”
“Through Julie for All, for every morning after-pill purchased, we donate one to someone in need,” it continued. “We’re proud to have donated over 1M units to 300+ partners nationwide.”
Related: Roseanne Barr Reveals Very Personal Reason She’s Against Abortion
Rodrigo’s Meltdown Over Overturn Of Roe v. Wade
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June of 2022, Rodrigo had a full meltdown.
“I’m devastated and terrified. So many women and so many girls are going to die because of this,” she said at the time during her set at the Glastonbury Festival in England, The Guardian reported. “I wanted to dedicate this next song to the five members of the Supreme Court who have showed us that at the end of the day, they truly don’t give a s— about freedom.”
Rodrigo proceeded to team up with Lily Allen to sing her song “F*** You.”
Given how young her fanbase is, it’s particularly disturbing that Rodrigo is using her platform in this way. Unfortunately for Rodrigo, her efforts at her concerts will do nothing to bring back her beloved Roe v. Wade.
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