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Olivia Rodrigo concertgoers receive free contraceptives at Missouri stop amid abortion ban

​​​​​​​View Date:2024-12-24 10:25:00

Olivia Rodrigo is continuing to advocate for abortion access.

The "Driver's License" singer is making headlines for hosting abortion care organizations, the Missouri Abortion Fund and Right By You, who handed out resources and emergency contraceptives at the star's St. Louis concert.

USA TODAY has reached out to reps for the organizations and Rodrigo for comment.

According to Missouri law, abortion is illegal except in cases of a medical emergency when "a delay will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function." Last month, Republican legislators in the state opposed an effort to add rape and incest exceptions to Missouri's near-total abortion ban.

Fan photos from the tour feature a small handoff with text that says, "Funding abortion? It's a good idea, right?" in reference to the three-time Grammy winner's hit song "Bad Idea, Right?"

Olivia Rodrigo praised by organizationsfor using tour to fundraise for abortion access

Concertgoers received Julie, "a one-step tablet that helps stop a pregnancy before it starts," according to the company's website, similar to a Plan B pill?. The contraception company captioned a series of photos from the concert, writing, "julie is a tour gf now."

Meena Harris, the founder of Phenomenal Ventures and niece of Vice President Kamala Harris, reacted to the Rodrigo move on Instagram with a clapping emoji and the caption, "emergency contraception distributed at @oliviarodrigo's GUTS WORLD TOUR."

The pop star previously launched Fund 4 Good, "a global initiative committed to building an equitable and just future for all women, girls and people seeking reproductive health freedom." She has pledged to donate a portion of ticket sales from each show to local abortion funds.

For her North American shows, the 21-year-old has partnered with the National Network of Abortion Funds, a non-profit made of up 100 abortion funds across the country that "help ease economic and logistical barriers for people seeking abortions," including assistance with translation, transportation, childcare and doula services.

"Supporting abortion funds has never been more critical, in an era where abortion access is under relentless attack," the network's executive director Oriaku Njoku said in a statement shared with USA TODAY when Rodrigo announced the fund. "We are excited to be in partnership with Olivia Rodrigo, as she's uplifting the critical work of abortion funds, and leading (her fans) into the movement towards reproductive freedom!"

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY; Anna Spoerre and Rudi Keller of The Missouri Independent

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