Olivia Rodrigo concert handed out $50 of Condoms & Morning-After Pills to fans to protect Reproductive Rights

Madelyn Ritter shows off the emergency contraception she picked up at an Olivia Rodrigo concert. Photograph: TikTok user @madsritter

Morning-after pill handed out at Olivia Rodrigo concert in Missouri – where abortion is banned

Fans got access to $50 pill and condoms via singer’s Fund 4 Good campaign to protect reproductive rights

Madelyn Ritter expected to leave the St Louis date of Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts tour with merch – she didn’t expect to also go home with some free emergency contraception.

But that’s just what she saw upon entering the stadium. There, right by the women’s bathrooms, was a table where concertgoers could donate to abortion funds and pick up free condoms and morning-after pills, sometimes referred to as Plan B.

“We noticed it immediately,” said Ritter, who is 25 (and, as she jokes, “too old” to love the 21-year-old pop star). “I was like: ‘What’s this about?’ They told me it was free, so my sister, her friend and I all took some. I personally don’t need it, but I’m going to save it in case something bad happens.”

Last month, in conjunction with her world tour, Rodrigo launched the Fund 4 Good campaign, which aims to protect women’s and girls’ reproductive rights. A portion of sales from the tour will go toward the fund. As part of the initiative, Rodrigo paired with the National Network of Abortion Funds, which connected her with local chapters at various stops on the tour.

“There are plenty of singers making a stand about social issues, but I’ve never seen anything like this,” Ritter said.

Abortion is illegal in Missouri. (It is only permitted in the case of an emergency that threatens the life of a pregnant person.) Missouri Republicans are also trying to defund Planned Parenthood, which provides reproductive healthcare like STI screenings and contraception in the state.

Activists who staffed the table Ritter stopped by came from Right by You, a youth-focused text line that connects Missouri teens to abortion care out of state, birth control and information about their rights, and the Missouri Abortion Fund, which helps people cover the cost of an out-of-state abortion.

Stephanie Kraft Sheley, project director of Right by You, said that Rodrigo had not specifically asked for the organization to hand out emergency contraception, which prevents pregnancy. “She invited us, but it was our decision to bring it and hand it out,” Sheley said. “It fills my heart with so much joy and gratitude to Olivia, and it shows how well received it will be when other artists step up and do this. I hope they follow this example.”

Like Ritter, many concertgoers did not initially believe they could get the pill, which retails for up to $50, for free. “There are always some people who reach for the emergency contraception and then say: ‘What do I have to do in order to get this?’ or ‘Is it really free?’” Sheley said. “You might have to repeat that it’s free three times. The look on their face when they realize they’re being cared for and someone wants to help, that’s what we’re here for.”… More @ The Guradian