Madelyn Ritter was anticipating receiving merchandise at the St. Louis stop of Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts tour, but she did not anticipate also receiving some complementary emergency contraception.
Upon her arrival at the stadium, she noticed a table near the women’s restrooms. This table offered concert attendees the opportunity to contribute to abortion funds and receive complimentary condoms or emergency contraception, known as Plan B.
Ritter, 25 years old, jokingly stated that she may be “too old” to be a fan of a 21-year-old pop star. She noticed it right away and questioned its purpose. Upon learning it was free, she and her sister, along with a friend, took some. Although she may not personally require it, she plans to keep it on hand for potential future use.
During her recent global tour, Rodrigo introduced the Fund 4 Good movement to support the rights of women and girls to have access to reproductive healthcare. A percentage of proceeds from the tour will contribute to this fund. As a part of this effort, Rodrigo collaborated with the National Network of Abortion Funds, which helped her connect with local branches during the tour.
According to Ritter, many singers are speaking up about societal issues, but he has never witnessed anything like this before.
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Missouri has strict laws against abortion, which is only allowed in emergency situations where the pregnant individual’s life is at risk. Some Missouri Republican lawmakers are also attempting to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, an organization that offers essential reproductive healthcare services such as STI testing and birth control.
Participants who were present at the table where Ritter made a visit were part of Right By You, an organization that provides abortion services, birth control, and information on legal rights to Missouri teenagers outside the state. They were also supported by the Missouri Abortion Fund, which assists individuals with funding for out-of-state abortions.
The Guardian interviewed Stephanie Kraft Sheley, who is in charge of the Right By You project. She stated that Rodrigo did not make a specific request for the organization to distribute emergency contraception. While she did invite us to participate, it was ultimately our choice to bring and distribute the contraception. Sheley expressed her gratitude and happiness towards Olivia and believes her actions will encourage other artists to do the same. She hopes they will follow this positive example.
Similar to Ritter, several attendees of the concert were skeptical at first about receiving the pill, which has a retail price of $50, for free. According to Sheley, it is common for some people to inquire about the process of obtaining emergency contraception and if it is truly free. Oftentimes, it takes multiple reassurances for them to understand that it is indeed free. Witnessing their reaction when they realize they are being supported and assisted is the main goal of being there to help.
Artists frequently use their tour stops to campaign for various social causes. HeadCount, an organization that works with musicians to help fans register to vote, has gone on the road with Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Ariana Grande, Harry Styles and more – including Rodrigo. (Rodrigo herself lambasted the overturning of Roe v Wade at a Glastonbury performance in 2022, telling the conservative supreme court justices: “We hate you.”) Rarely do those initiatives go as far as doling out free emergency contraception.
As the 2024 election approaches and grows more chaotic, engaging in shallow activism may seem insincere and unenthusiastic. Recently, on Super Tuesday, Taylor Swift shared on Instagram a message encouraging supporters to vote for the candidates who best align with their beliefs. While some people responded positively, others were dissatisfied with the ambiguous and careful language used.
I place great importance on who I am endorsing and where my money is going,” expressed Ritter. “It makes me happy to know that I am supporting someone who shares my same principles.”
While many refer to them as Plan B, the emergency contraceptive pills distributed at Rodrigo’s concert are actually from a startup called Julie. According to a statement from a representative of Julie, the company’s goal is to modernize the morning-after pill for a younger audience. This includes a rebranding with more visually appealing packaging, as opposed to the more sterile options.
The representative expressed gratitude towards artists like Olivia Rodrigo and organizations like the Missouri Abortion Fund for promoting our mission of replacing negative connotations of emergency contraception with a focus on access, understanding, and education.
Lizz Winstead established the Abortion Access Front, a charitable organization that advocates for reproductive rights across the country. She commended Rodrigo for highlighting St Louis-based groups that are actively working on the issue at the grassroots level.
“She believes that this allows them to supply resources and items such as emergency contraception under their own name and contact details,” she explained. “Attendees at her events will have the ability to identify reliable sources of care. Even after Olivia is no longer present, those at her shows will be aware of how and where to find support within their local communities, resulting in ongoing assistance. This is precisely what is necessary at this time.”
On Wednesday evening, Rodrigo will be performing in Nebraska, a state that enforces a 12-week prohibition on abortions with few exceptions.
After the banning of abortion in Missouri, activists have attempted but been unsuccessful in getting it on the state ballot for voter determination. According to a recent survey, Missouri voters slightly lean towards supporting reproductive rights.
Reproductive rights are top-of-mind for Ritter, who works as an emergency women’s health nurse at a hospital in St Louis. She’s administered misoprostol, a medication commonly used in abortions, to women who miscarry. Miscarriages are under increased scrutiny in states with near-total abortion bans, stoking fear of criminal consequences.
“I have supported women during the most difficult moments of their lives, and it’s appalling to consider that we are not granted the autonomy to make choices about our own bodies,” stated Ritter. “As a nurse and as someone who values women’s healthcare, I will attend another Olivia Rodrigo concert.”
Source: theguardian.com
