Lizzo has spoken out against anti-abortion laws during her headline show in Nebraska, which passed the “Let Them Grow” bill last Friday (19th May), banning abortions after 12 weeks and gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
Amidst protesters surrounding the state capitol chambers in Lincoln, Lizzo used her platform at the CHI Health Center Omaha to speak out against the bill. She said, “Anybody who comes to a Lizzo show should know that I am for people to have the right to reproductive and gender-affirming [healthcare].”
Lizzo continued her message of inclusivity by telling the audience, “Don’t let anybody tell you who you are. Don’t let any laws tell you who you’re not. These laws are not real. You are what’s real, and you deserve to be protected.” She also acknowledged that these political issues affect young people and made her show a safe space for them.
Nebraska Senator Beau Ballard, who voted for the anti-abortion and anti-trans bills, was in attendance at the show. State senator Megan Hunt tweeted about the hypocrisy of the situation, “They want LGBTQ money, They want LGBTQ entertainment, They want LGBTQ culture, But they won’t vote to protect LGBTQ lives and safety.”
The anti-abortion bill bans abortions after 12 weeks and threatens doctors who perform the procedure with the removal of their license, while the LB574 bill allows Nebraska’s medical officer, appointed by the Republican governor, to draft new rules that hinder young trans people and their families from accessing non-surgical affirming healthcare. Other states, including North Carolina and South Carolina, have also recently approved abortion bans.
Lizzo has been a vocal political advocate, using her platform to raise awareness and fight against discrimination and harmful legislation. In a recent concert in Knoxville, Tennessee, she invited drag performers on stage to protest the state’s ban on drag.
