Billie Eilish Slams Texas Abortion Laws During Austin City Limits Performance
Billie Eilish hasn’t shied away from sharing her views on issues that are important to her. The singer used a performance in Texas to voice her opinions about the state’s new abortions laws.
Here’s what she had to say and how she has supported women’s rights in the past.
Which laws was Billie Eilish talking about?
In Sept. 2021, the state of Texas passed legislation that prohibits women from getting an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, which is when a heartbeat can be detected. Also known as the “Heartbeat Bill,” the law effectively overturns Roe v. Wade. The law does not make exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.
Additionally, the law rewards those who blow the whistle on anyone who assists a woman getting an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. This includes doctors, drivers, anyone assisting with payment, and more. Private citizens who successfully sue abortion clinics or anyone helping a woman get an abortion can be awarded a minimum of $10,000.
The singer slammed the new laws on stage during her Austin City Limits set
19-year-old Billie Eilish took the stage at the Austin City Limits music festival on Saturday, Oct. 2. The “Bad Guy” singer voiced her opinion on the state’s new laws during her hour-long set.
Images saying “Bans Off Our Bodies” filled the stage as Eilish revealed that she almost didn’t do the performance.
“When they made that s— a law, I almost didn’t want to do the show,” Eilish announced. “Because I wanted to punish this f—ing place for allowing that to happen here. But then I remembered that it’s you guys that are the f—king victims, and you deserve everything in the world. And we need to tell them to shut the f—k up!”
Eilish also said (per the New York Post) that she was “sick and tired of old men” who she said were responsible for restrictive legislation that took effect last month.
The “Happier Than Ever” singer raised her middle finger before declaring, “My body, my f—ing choice,” to a cheering audience.
The day after the show, Eilish seemed to stand by her decision to perform, despite her initial reservations. She wrote on Instagram, “Last night was f—ing crazy. one of my favorites.”
Billie Eilish has spoken out against the Texas abortion laws before
Her performance at Austin City Limits wasn’t the first time Eilish has made her opinions on abortion and women’s rights known.
In September, the singer commented on Texas’ new abortion laws in her Instagram Stories. Eilish reshared several posts slamming the new regulations (per The Independent). She then expressed her frustration at how few men were speaking out against the legislation. “i really wish men cared more,” she wrote, along with “i’m so f—in tired” and “makes me sick how many men say nothing when it comes to women’s rights.”
The “Ocean Eyes” singer also reposted an image that said, “If you and your ‘homies’ or bros’ aren’t talking about the abortion laws in Texas, chances are you’re part of a problem.”
And in 2019, Eilish showed support for abortion rights as part of Planned Parenthood’s #BansOffMyBody campaign (per People). She said in a statement at the time, “We cannot live freely and move fully in the world when our basic right to access the reproductive health care we need is under attack. Every person deserves the right to control their body, their life, and their future.” Other artists, including Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Lizzo, and Lady Gaga, were also involved in the campaign.
