Abortion funds have been asked not to provide emergency contraceptives to his fans Olivia Rodrigohis concerts, according to the organizers.
Following headlines that Julie's morning-after pills, condoms and lubricant were available to concertgoers for free at stops on the 21-year-old pop star's Guts World tour, representatives from local fundraisers said Variety that they received the request on Thursday (March 14) to stop handing out these items at Rodrigo's concerts. The message was reportedly shared by the National Network of Abortion Funds. three different sources at local abortion funds told the publication that the question came from Rodrigo's team.
Advertising sign Rodrigo's representatives and the National Network of Abortion Funds have been contacted for comment.
“#GUTSWorldTour is asking abortion funds not to bring emergency contraception (EC), condoms, or lube to tour stops,” said Jade Hurley, director of communications for the DC Abortion Fund. tour-1235853722/” target=”_blank”>The Hollywood Reporter. “We hope to see this change before DC's July 20th date.”
Harley also said Variety that according to NNAF, the pop star's team said they would like to stop distributing morning-after pills, condoms and lube at her shows because “children are present at concerts.”
The “Vampire” singer has been using her tour as a vehicle to advocate for reproductive rights since it began in February, calling on local abortion funds to set up information and resource booths at each of her shows. Through the musician's own Fund 4 Good, she donates a portion of her ticket sales to abortion access and women's health initiatives.
“I love that Olivia has taken this public stand,” said Destini Spaeth, president of the Prairie Abortion Fund. Variety. “We just need our allies to be all in. We need everyone to be on board for us so we can really do our job. We cannot be given these parameters. We are the experts at it.”
But, said Missouri Abortion Fund Community Engagement Director Robin Frisella Variety that the idea to pass the contraceptives at the concerts did not come from Rodrigo in the first place. “It was our decision to pass EC,” she said of her organization's presence at the musician's March 12 performance in St. Louis. “While we are disappointed to learn that other abortion funds will not have the same opportunity to do the same, we are encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response.”
“It was very normal to see a younger child curiously walking with their parent and explaining what's on the table and why we're here,” Right by You founder Stephanie Kraft Sheley also said. Variety that contraceptives are available at Rodrigo's concert in Missouri. “We don't make kids walk around and grab things off the table that aren't for kids.”
The “Drivers License” singer will be on the road for the next five months, making stops across North America and Europe before closing out her first arena trip with four shows at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. Her second album, Offal, arrived in September, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
And while contraceptives will no longer be offered within the confines of her concerts, the DC Abortion Fund still has plans to make sure fans have access to them. “Little do these decision makers know,” Mr the organization posted on Twitter“We have no problem handing out Plan B, for free, on the public sidewalk outside the venue.”
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/olivia-rodrigo-concerts-stop-offering-morning-after-pills-1235634644/
