Olivia Rodrigo says abortion bans are not “pro-life” but “pro-control”
Olivia Rodrigo has used her platform to speak out against abortion bans, stating that they are a way to “control” a woman’s bodily autonomy.
Ahead of the first edition of her star-studded female-led Daisy Chain Fields Festival, Rodrigo held a lengthy discussion with the Center for Reproductive Rights regarding restrictions on reproductive care in the US.
Notably, as of the start of the year, abortion is now banned in 13 states, while four have banned the procedure past roughly six weeks of pregnancy
This is a result of the seismic overturning of Roe vs Wade in 2022, which was the landmark 1973 US Supreme Court case that established the constitutional right to an abortion.
“I’m sure you work with people who are in states with abortion bans all the time. What is it like talking to them? What is their experience like?” Rodrigo asked Autumn Katz, the Associate Director for the Center of Reproductive Rights.
“Honestly, it’s brutal out there, it really is,” Katz responded, adding that since Roe vs Wade was overturned, abortion bans have been further challenged in 10 states.
Katz went on to share stories from women who have endured different kinds of pain due to the restriction on their ability to access abortion care, including a woman who caught sepsis and spent three days in the ICU as a direct result of the ban
“Not very pro-life to harm these women’s health for the long-term and, you know, see them in the ICU. It’s just so terrifying,” the global popstar remarked, before adding that abortion bans are “pro-control”.
Notably, the Center For Reproductive Rights will be one of ten non-profit partners working alongside Rodrigo at the Daisy Chain Fields festival.
Rodrigo has often used her platform to speak out for reproductive rights. In early 2024, she launched a reproductive rights initiative “to support all women, girls and people seeking reproductive health freedom”.
She also confirmed that “a portion of all of the proceeds from ticket sales of the Guts world tour” would go to the fund.
Earlier this year, the singer-songwriter also handed out kits with Plan Bs, condoms and information regarding abortion access at live shows in Missouri, which banned almost all abortions in 2022.
Rodrigo’s forthcoming event, Daisy Chain Fields Festival, will see her provide a platform for the likes of Stevie Nicks, Chappell Roan, Bikini Kill, Doechii, Mitski, the Breeders, Garbage, Katseye, and plenty more. Profit from the show will further be split between Planned Parenthood and Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health.
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