The abortion organization behind Olivia Rodrigo's “Guts” tour will no longer distribute emergency contraceptives at the singer's concerts.
The organizer speaks variety After receiving widespread media attention, local abortion funds were told Thursday afternoon that they would no longer be allowed to hand out emergency contraceptives and other reproductive health resources for free at concerts.
Three local abortion fund officials said the decision came from Rodrigo's team and was relayed via Slack by the National Abortion Fund Network, which partnered with Rodrigo to set up booths at locations on the North American tour. Jade Hurley, communications manager for the Washington D.C. Abortion Fund, said NNAF hoped Rodrigo's team wouldn't hand out lube, condoms or Plan B because “kids were at a concert.” He said that there was.
“The reality is that young people need sex, and young people need access to birth control and emergency contraception,” Hurley said. variety on the phone. “What we're doing is completely legal in all 50 states.”
A representative for Mr. Rodrigo did not immediately respond. varietyThis is a comment request from .
Destini Spaes, president of the Prairie Abortion Fund, which will have a booth at Rodrigo's March 15 concert in St. Paul, Minn., strongly disagreed with the decision, saying: variety“There's something really positive about a 16- or 15-year-old kid having a Plan B and some condoms on their dresser that they can use if they need to.”
She continued, “The reason sex and sexual health tools like abortion, Plan B, and condoms are demonized is because you are demonized because: [seen as being] promiscuous. We don't see it as a sign of responsibility. …Even if your children aren't getting the education they need in school, you can at least turn to reproductive health organizations in your community to provide information and resources. ”
Although the organization was expressly prohibited from distributing Plan B, lubricants, and condoms at Rodrigo's concert Friday night, the Prairie Abortion Fund remains committed to distributing informational materials as well as hats, buttons, and stickers. Mr. Speth said that he would be active in the area.
Free handouts handed out by Right By You and the Missouri Abortion Fund at Rodrigo's home, while local foundations have been handing out sexual health resources on the “Guts” tour since at least March 8 in Charlotte, North Carolina Photographs of the documents were released, and the initiative became global news. The St. Louis show became a hot topic on X/Twitter.
The initiative garnered a largely positive response, but as with abortion, it also drew swift backlash from conservative experts. As an example, Breitbart News tweeted about Rodrigo, “I wonder how the Disney Channel manages to churn out so many child-sacrificing high priestesses.”
Right By You founder Stephanie Kraft Shelley says it addresses concerns about children's exposure to sexual health resources variety“The idea that we were not thoughtful and careful in carrying out our work at this event or any other event is simply false.”
Shelley said it's common for Right By You and other abortion funds to speak to young people at community events, adding that it's common practice for Right By You and other abortion funds to “talk to our community and what they need in terms of information and resources.” I know very well if there are any.”
“Our position is that it's not harmful to young people to see us out in the community doing work like that,” she added. “Nothing pearl-clutching happened in front of our eyes at this event, and it never will. It was quite normal for parents to make us explain what was on the table and why we were here. I’m not going to make you walk away from the table.”
Hurley points out that much of the backlash against the fund is based on misinformation. “It's unfortunate that extremists are creating a moral panic over things they don't even understand,” Hurley said. “They don't know the difference between emergency contraception and emergency contraception.” [like Plan B] Abortion pills are completely different things. ”
She added: “Extremists intentionally confuse the two in order to limit access and shame minors from getting the resources they need. … Their agenda is Only control and power over self-government, and they always go after the young first.”
Despite this decision, organizers noted that Rodrigo supports abortion funds and other reproductive health organizations through his Fund 4 Good initiative, especially in states where abortion is banned or severely restricted. I commend you for your support.
“Nothing I say about this particular decision diminishes our strong gratitude to Olivia for giving us this platform and visibility. This is remarkable and… , I hope others will follow suit because I think it's needed,'' says Sherry.
Some are hopeful that Rodrigo's team will change tack.
“I love that Olivia took this public stand,” Spaney says. “All we need is for our allies to do their best, and we need them to do their best for us in order for us to actually do the job. We cannot give you these parameters. We are experts in this field.”
The funds associated with the “Guts” tour make it clear that it was their decision, not Rodrigo's, to distribute emergency contraceptives at her concerts.
“Missouri Abortion Fund and Right By You were invited to attend Olivia Rodrigo's event in St. Louis, but it was our decision to cancel EC,” said Missouri Abortion Fund Community Engagement Director. Director Robin Frisella said in a statement. variety. “While we are disappointed to learn that other abortion funds will not have a similar opportunity, we are encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response. Although we cannot speak to why this decision was made, , we hope this conversation will highlight the work being done by abortion funds across the country.”
Other organizations are also exploring different ways to reach out to their communities, like the DC Abortion Fund, which tweeted ahead of Rodrigo's July 20 concert in Washington, DC. , on the public sidewalk outside the venue. ”
“We're going to keep working whether we can do it at Capital One Arena or not,” Hurley said.
