Olivia Rodrigo gives out free Plan B at concert in Missouri

[ChicaSkas 22,287]

That's $100 worth of medication to give girls peace of mind. Good for her!! 

[StrawberryBlond 14,102]

While the sentiment is commendable, this is a very serious medication that shouldn't be handed out willy-nilly. Passing it out like sweets makes it seem like it's not a big deal. Plan B is called emergency contraception for a reason. It should only be taken extremely occasionally because it's extreme medication. Passing it out for free nullifies the sombre reason for taking it. For that 'funding abortion' tag with Olivia's aesthetic graphic style to be slapped on the front just seems crass. I support taking the morning after pill and abortion but it shouldn't be framed as something you should engage in with little thought beforehand or some sort of joke. It's stuff like this that makes pro-choice people look irresponsible and unfeeling. Passing out free condoms (which prevent pregnancy) is one thing, passing out free emergency contraception (that halts the consequence of unprotected sex) is quite another. 

4 hours ago, Nemo said:

Eh, it's not a drug of abuse. In fact, it's over-the-counter.

4 hours ago, Maxine Puth said:

The “trendy” one is to get people to donate. It’s no less appropriate than Gaga doing the Chromatica PAPER Mag fundraiser and showing ass for people to donate to black trans youth. Serving **** while serving political and social justice. 

2 hours ago, Agunimon said:

At least in the states, it is no different than buying deodorant at a Walmart. Most places keep it locked in a box so people can't steal it (the pill itself is $50, or at least was the last time I had to buy one). The cashier just opens it, rings it, and you go about your day without a potential kid to worry about. 

It doesn't mean you should view it as nothing, though. Some women stockpile these pills and deliberately have unprotected sex and then pop them afterwards, which could be affecting future fertility for all we know (there are no studies on the long term effects of repeated taking of the pills). A lot of pharmacists ask questions before giving it to you so they know you're being responsible and realise this isn't everyday contraception. If it's given over the counter, it shouldn't be given out at concerts for free but at specialised outlets who know what they're doing and can potentially answer questions. It's all very well to donate to organisations that give safe and free access to contraception and abortion but giving it out for free to everyone is a bit much. It's hardly something that every girl needs, like period products. Olivia has a lot of young fans who shouldn't even be having sex, it's inappropriate to give out such a thing to everyone as most won't need it. Could you imagine receiving this as someone who's struggling to conceive or someone who's infertile and sad about it?

Edited March 13 by StrawberryBlond

[TheFame Monster 8,779]

33 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

While the sentiment is commendable, this is a very serious medication that shouldn't be handed out willy-nilly. Passing it out like sweets makes it seem like it's not a big deal. Plan B is called emergency contraception for a reason. It should only be taken extremely occasionally because it's extreme medication. Passing it out for free nullifies the sombre reason for taking it. For that 'funding abortion' tag with Olivia's aesthetic graphic style to be slapped on the front just seems crass. I support taking the morning after pill and abortion but it shouldn't be framed as something you should engage in with little thought beforehand or some sort of joke. It's stuff like this that makes pro-choice people look irresponsible and unfeeling. Passing out free condoms (which prevent pregnancy) is one thing, passing out free emergency contraception (that halts the consequence of unprotected sex) is quite another. 

It doesn't mean you should view it as nothing, though. Some women stockpile these pills and deliberately have unprotected sex and then pop them afterwards, which could be affecting future fertility for all we know (there are no studies on the long term effects of repeated taking of the pills). A lot of pharmacists ask questions before giving it to you so they know you're being responsible and realise this isn't everyday contraception. If it's given over the counter, it shouldn't be given out at concerts for free but at specialised outlets who know what they're doing and can potentially answer questions. It's all very well to donate to organisations that give safe and free access to contraception and abortion but giving it out for free to everyone is a bit much. It's hardly something that every girl needs, like period products. Olivia has a lot of young fans who shouldn't even be having sex, it's inappropriate to give out such a thing to everyone as most won't need it. Could you imagine receiving this as someone who's struggling to conceive or someone who's infertile and sad about it?

They were handed out to those who wanted them - not everyone. Taking plan b shouldn’t be a big deal and it should be more accessible and cheaper. Imagine how much easier it would be for people to have it on hand then have to go out of there way to find a drugstore and purchase it. 

Saying pregnancy is the consequence of unprotected sex is an egregious statement. Condoms break, people are r-worded, and birth control isn’t free or safe for a lot of people. 

Saying women stockpile these pills gives off the same tone and rhetoric as Republicans say that women just get pregnant and repeatedly go get abortions. It’s simply not true. 

In the US, plan b is given out over the counter. Meaning you don’t need to go to a pharmacist to get it. 

Don’t limit Olivia, a 21 year old woman, to having to appeal to young children. She’s an adult and her music and performances are allowed to reflect that. She has songs about sex lol. It’s up to parents to be parents, not pop stars. Olivia’s been vocal for a couple years now about reproductive rights. 

[Pennywise 35,841]

50 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

While the sentiment is commendable, this is a very serious medication that shouldn't be handed out willy-nilly. Passing it out like sweets makes it seem like it's not a big deal. Plan B is called emergency contraception for a reason. It should only be taken extremely occasionally because it's extreme medication. Passing it out for free nullifies the sombre reason for taking it. For that 'funding abortion' tag with Olivia's aesthetic graphic style to be slapped on the front just seems crass. I support taking the morning after pill and abortion but it shouldn't be framed as something you should engage in with little thought beforehand or some sort of joke. It's stuff like this that makes pro-choice people look irresponsible and unfeeling. Passing out free condoms (which prevent pregnancy) is one thing, passing out free emergency contraception (that halts the consequence of unprotected sex) is quite another. 

It doesn't mean you should view it as nothing, though. Some women stockpile these pills and deliberately have unprotected sex and then pop them afterwards, which could be affecting future fertility for all we know (there are no studies on the long term effects of repeated taking of the pills). A lot of pharmacists ask questions before giving it to you so they know you're being responsible and realise this isn't everyday contraception. If it's given over the counter, it shouldn't be given out at concerts for free but at specialised outlets who know what they're doing and can potentially answer questions. It's all very well to donate to organisations that give safe and free access to contraception and abortion but giving it out for free to everyone is a bit much. It's hardly something that every girl needs, like period products. Olivia has a lot of young fans who shouldn't even be having sex, it's inappropriate to give out such a thing to everyone as most won't need it. Could you imagine receiving this as someone who's struggling to conceive or someone who's infertile and sad about it?

What in the peddling conservative viewpoints is this

[Auther 22,119]

55 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

It doesn't mean you should view it as nothing, though. Some women stockpile these pills and deliberately have unprotected sex and then pop them afterwards, which could be affecting future fertility for all we know (there are no studies on the long term effects of repeated taking of the pills).

I dunno I think its their right to do that if that's what they want to do. It is their body, their choice. They should be aware of the repercussions the morning after pill has on the body. It's covered in health classes.

I don't believe it should be a pharmacists' responsibility to educate someone on the medicine they are going to take anyway. That is not what they went to school for nor are they a doctor qualified to give medical advice, despite that. And you don't have doctors hanging around at Walmarts and drug stores to have appointments with.

Edited March 13 by Agunimon

[PartySick 144,924]

Surprised nobody's made a "Nurtec confirmed for the LG7 Ball" joke yet tbh

[PartySick 144,924]

58 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

Some women stockpile these pills and deliberately have unprotected sex and then pop them afterwards, which could be affecting future fertility for all we know (there are no studies on the long term effects of repeated taking of the pills).

This is actually a misinformation campaign driven by the right ever since efforts to expand access to it ramped up in the mid-00s.

There's currently nothing at all that lends itself to the idea that plan b effects future fertility and the same people who pushed that lie also say plan b can cause blood clots and cancer, then they went on to say contraception in general (regularly taken birth control) is just as dangerous 

More studies are never a bad thing but currently, there is no known risk on that level. Just potential discomfort on the same level as menstruation.

1 hour ago, StrawberryBlond said:

It's all very well to donate to organisations that give safe and free access to contraception and abortion but giving it out for free to everyone is a bit much. It's hardly something that every girl needs, like period products. Olivia has a lot of young fans who shouldn't even be having sex, it's inappropriate to give out such a thing to everyone as most won't need it. Could you imagine receiving this as someone who's struggling to conceive or someone who's infertile and sad about it?

They didn't hand them out to everyone, they just made it accessible to everyone

1 hour ago, StrawberryBlond said:

Olivia has a lot of young fans who shouldn't even be having sex

Young people have sex

Iirc, I lost my virginity at like 13/14. Imagine if I was a woman, got pregnant from that, and now I'm stuck with a lifelong commitment because of it?

Especially in one of these freak red states that force women to carry pregnancies to term regardless of their situation. Republicans are deadass trying to force doctors to reimplant ectopic pregnancies, which isn't a thing. Or force kids who are r*ped to carry the baby to term.

Love ya ma'am, but there is no downside here

[Auther 22,119]

is @Conservative Mom @StrawberryBlond's alt? 

[HermioneT 1,985]

Look, I'm all for making morning after pills more accessible and acceptable. And I do understand the struggle of young people having to go to a pharmacy and tell people  there that they need it.

However, as someone who has taken this stuff in the past, I do think a somewhat qualified/medical voice on this before taking it, would be helpful and prevent further terrifying thoughts. Because you definitely feel it and if you're not on other hormonal contraceptives, it can be surprising/frightening (even though as far as I know it has absolutely zero long lasting effects).

Edited March 13 by HermioneT

[StrawberryBlond 14,102]

59 minutes ago, TheFame Monster said:

They were handed out to those who wanted them - not everyone. Taking plan b shouldn’t be a big deal and it should be more accessible and cheaper. Imagine how much easier it would be for people to have it on hand then have to go out of there way to find a drugstore and purchase it. 

Saying pregnancy is the consequence of unprotected sex is an egregious statement. Condoms break, people are r-worded, and birth control isn’t free or safe for a lot of people. 

Saying women stockpile these pills gives off the same tone and rhetoric as Republicans say that women just get pregnant and repeatedly go get abortions. It’s simply not true. 

In the US, plan b is given out over the counter. Meaning you don’t need to go to a pharmacist to get it. 

Don’t limit Olivia, a 21 year old woman, to having to appeal to young children. She’s an adult and her music and performances are allowed to reflect that. She has songs about sex lol. It’s up to parents to be parents, not pop stars. Olivia’s been vocal for a couple years now about reproductive rights. 

Well, it's good it wasn't given out to everyone. By "not a big deal" I mean you should realise the magnitude of taking this pill. Even if you don't want a baby, it's a serious step and should be a situation that you shouldn't have to be in more than a few times in your life. It would of course be easier to have it on hand but it still doesn't feel right to hand it out at a concert. Drugstores are everywhere and all towns have pharmacies so finding one isn't a problem. I do agree it should be cheaper, though.

Of course contraception can fail and so on, I'm just making a direct comparison between a preventative form of contraception vs an emergency one after potential conception. For example, it's common for universities to pass out free condoms at the start of the new year but handing out free plan b doesn't happen. It's a bit too serious to hand out so freely. And if someone isn't using contraception because they can't afford it but is having sex anyway, that speaks to how outrageously expensive contraception is and how we need to bring that down in price, which I'm surprised is never a topic of conversation. Saying that, plan b is more expensive than a condom too, you can get a whole packet for less than one plan b tablet.

While it's not true that there's a trend for vast quantities of women to be stockpiling these pills to use every time, I have legit heard of some women who use it instead of regular protection. I remember reading a confessional article from a woman who said that she never uses condoms because she only sees her boyfriend for one weekend once a month and when they get together, they don't want to fuss over intimacy reducing protection so they just do it unprotected then she pops a pill after every time they do it. She even said she went to all different pharmacies so they wouldn't recognise her and question why she's always buying it. She was an unusual case but an example of how the medication isn't really supposed to be used. 

Can't speak for America, but in the UK, you have to go to pharmacist and ask for it as it's a behind the counter purchase. They'll usually ask the reasons behind you using it, when the last time was you had sex and stress that it's emergency contraception not intended for everyday use. You can't just pick it up from a shelf, there's a longer process involved. Similar procedure at sexual health clinics. I believe this is done to ensure that the gravity of this contraception is clear.

Olivia has every right to be supportive of reproductive rights. I am too. She can donate and encourage her fans to donate to programmes designed to provide access to free/affordable sexual health services. But giving out free plan b at a concert just seems a bit too extreme. It's medication. That should be given to you by a medical professional. We don't hand out other types of medication at concerts for that reason.

52 minutes ago, Pennywise said:

What in the peddling conservative viewpoints is this

I'm not conservative. I'm a pro choice liberal. I just believe that contraception should be used responsibly and taken seriously. I've had to research the morning after pill pre-emptively in case anything goes wrong with a upcoming hook-up. And I don't want to take it afterwards unless I absolutely have to. Because even though I don't want to be pregnant, it's a big deal to think that I'm ending a potential life that's been created inside me and therefore, taking it would be a sombre occasion that I would take very seriously and hope that I never have to do again. It's just my take that passing it out free at concerts suggests it's no big deal.

49 minutes ago, Agunimon said:

I dunno I think its their right to do that if that's what they want to do. It is their body, their choice. They should be aware of the repercussions the morning after pill has on the body. It's covered in health classes.

I don't believe it should be a pharmacists' responsibility to educate someone on the medicine they are going to take anyway. That is not what they went to school for nor are they a doctor qualified to give medical advice, despite that. And you don't have doctors hanging around at Walmarts and drug stores to have appointments with.

Of course it's their right. I just want them to do it with safely with plenty of forethought and review their contraception choices in future. Actually, the downsides of the morning after pill is not covered in health class. None that I ever had anyway. Maybe it's a bit different know but it was more focused on prevention.

It's exactly the job of a pharmacist to educate you on the medication they've just given you and answer questions about it. Maybe it's different worldwide but where I come from, the only way you can get it is asking a pharmacist. 

37 minutes ago, PartySick said:

This is actually a misinformation campaign driven by the right ever since efforts to expand access to it ramped up in the mid-00s.

There's currently nothing at all that lends itself to the idea that plan b effects future fertility and the same people who pushed that lie also say plan b can cause blood clots and cancer, then they went on to say contraception in general (regularly taken birth control) is just as dangerous 

More studies are never a bad thing but currently, there is no known risk on that level. Just potential discomfort on the same level as menstruation.

They didn't hand them out to everyone, they just made it accessible to everyone

Young people have sex

Iirc, I lost my virginity at like 13/14. Imagine if I was a woman, got pregnant from that, and now I'm stuck with a lifelong commitment because of it?

Especially in one of these freak red states that force women to carry pregnancies to term regardless of their situation. Republicans are deadass trying to force doctors to reimplant ectopic pregnancies, which isn't a thing. Or force kids who are r*ped to carry the baby to term.

Love ya ma'am, but there is no downside here

I'm not saying all women use it like this, clearly they don't. But if you read my first reply, I do remember reading about a woman who did. It's actually articles like this that can give fuel to conservative thinking because they see it as promotion of the pill. It's great to reduce the stigma of taking it but not to the point where it's normalised to use it as frequently as condoms either. I don't believe there's proof of negative side effects but there definitely needs to be a long term study into it especially if more women are using it frequently. 

It's good they only handed it out to those who wanted it. The idea of it being handed out to minors as a matter of course was what freaked me out.

Yes, young people have sex but they should be educated about what to do to prevent pregnancy and STDs before they do it if that's the case. In no way should I think minors or anyone for that matter should be forced to carry a baby they don't want because they can't afford the pill or abortion or are legally banned from these things. But I also want to ensure they're educated on what to do to prevent that happening in the first place so they don't need to go through that. Too many people are routinely not using condoms or that being on the pill is enough and not all of them even think about taking plan b afterwards because they didn't think it would happen to them and aren't aware they're pregnant until it's too late. I just want everyone to have sex responsibly and maturely and that includes understanding the seriousness of contraception especially the kind you take after the fact. I say this because I had to research plan b just in case I might have to take it myself sometime real soon and while I'll do it if I have to, I consider it a big deal if I do have a life growing inside of me and how that might affect me afterwards. I would rather live in a world where all this stuff was free and accessible than not but it still concerns me to see contraception not be taken seriously in 2024.

Thanks for saying you still like me, though, appreciate it. 

35 minutes ago, Agunimon said:

is @Conservative Mom @StrawberryBlond's alt? 

I have no idea who this is and can ensure you I don't have a second account nor am I conservative.

[Westerosi 1,895]

@StrawberryBlond I don't think anyone here truly believes you're a conservative. Coming from the UK myself, I understand why folk in the USA see our views as more right-leaning. We've had a conservative government for decades now who decide on our policies and we, as a country, have grown used to them.

I know that here in the UK, Olivia wouldn't be allowed to do this. But in fairness to the American folk here, healthcare costs money for them. We enjoy free prescriptions, advice and treatment, and as a smaller country, we have the ability to safeguard and educate our entire nation through common policies.

I've often noticed Americans in blue states think our views are old-fashioned, and maybe they're right. Our government is thousands of years old whereas the USA is only hundreds of years old.

I think there is a sweet spot in the middle where the progressive Americans and us Brits can meet and agree on issues such as this.

As a cis male, I don't feel entirely comfortable forming an opinion on contraceptive medication.

Edited March 13 by Westerosi

[nATAH 42,381]

4 hours ago, StrawberryBlond said:

 Olivia has a lot of young fans who shouldn't even be having sex, it's inappropriate to give out such a thing to everyone as most won't need it.

teenagers have sex, they just do, it's a fact of life. it may not be right or legal but teenagers commonly do and the best thing to do is educate them to keep them safe whilst they're dumb and young

[StrawberryBlond 14,102]

13 minutes ago, Westerosi said:

@StrawberryBlond I don't think anyone here truly believes you're a conservative. Coming from the UK myself, I understand why folk in the USA see our views as more right-leaning. We've had a conservative government for decades now who decide on our policies and we, as a country, have grown used to them.

I know that here in the UK, Olivia wouldn't be allowed to do this. But in fairness to the American folk here, healthcare costs money for them. We enjoy free prescriptions, advice and treatment, and as a smaller country, we have the ability to safeguard and educate our entire nation through common policies.

I've often noticed Americans in blue states think our views are old-fashioned, and maybe they're right. Our government is thousands of years old whereas the USA is only hundreds of years old.

I think there is a sweet spot in the middle where the progressive Americans and us Brits can meet and agree on issues such as this.

As a cis male, I don't feel entirely comfortable forming an opinion on contraceptive medication.

Thanks for being understanding. It is a bit of shock when issues that I think Americans and Brits would find common ground on have surprising cultural differences. 

True, Americans have to pay for everything healthcare related and it's more expensive than it is for us in some instances. I just ran the apparent $50 for a plan b tablet through a currency convertor and found out that this is the equivalent to £39. As I understand it, it costs about £25 in the UK, with some drugstores doing it cheaper. And you can get it free through GP surgeries and sexual health clinics. So, we do have it a bit better. 

I also think US liberals are different from UK liberals. We can seem conservative in comparison as far as they're concerned. I'm trying to find an in between agreement as well. It's annoying when you feel like you're not liberal enough within your own group.

You can totally have views on contraception as a man but I'm glad that you're not overriding a woman's view. 

[Railing 2,303]

1 hour ago, StrawberryBlond said:

I say this because I had to research plan b just in case I might have to take it myself sometime real soon and while I'll do it if I have to, I consider it a big deal if I do have a life growing inside of me and how that might affect me afterwards.

1 hour ago, StrawberryBlond said:

Because even though I don't want to be pregnant, it's a big deal to think that I'm ending a potential life that's been created inside me and therefore, taking it would be a sombre occasion that I would take very seriously and hope that I never have to do again.

Here's the thing - Not everyone thinks of it that way. A newly-developing fetus is not a human being. It's a clump of cells that may or may not turn into something more. That false idea that you're taking someone's life away is exactly why the pro-life movement exists The stigma needs to end.

OT: I applaud Olivia for doing this.

Edited March 14 by Railing

[Franch Toast 25,913]

I just want to chime in and say that Plan B doesn't terminate a pregnancy. It only works if the person who takes it is not yet pregnant. It prevents the egg from being fertilized by disrupting ovulation and as such is technically a preventive measure. Its main ingredient is found in many birth control pills, but in a higher dosage. 

I have a few friends who've taken Plan B, and the main side effect was nausea and a heavier period the next cycle.