Phoebe Bridgers has amassed a loyal following thanks to her sad-girl-autumn brand, hauntingly beautiful sound, and lyrics that threaten to pry your heart right out of your chest. But beneath her melancholy exterior lies a quiet rage — a frustration with antiquated policies, misogynistic principles, and patriarchal structures. She discusses this anger at length in her Oct. 26 cover story with Teen Vogue. In particular, she opens up about her views on abortion, including her feelings following her own procedure, and the advice she would give to people in a post Roe v. Wade era.
“It’s just so much harder for the people that it was already hard for,” Bridgers says, pointing to the recent increases in abortion regulations. “I just think middle-class, upper-class white people are always gonna have access to health care and abortion, whether it’s through flying [to another state] or even access to f*cking organizations.”
In an effort to destigmatize abortion, Bridgers shared that she had one of her own while she was on tour, writing on Twitter that “it was easy” and advocating for the same kind of access for people all across the country. Even after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court, this is a mission she’s still passionate about, perhaps now more than ever.
“Middle-class, upper-class white people are always gonna have access to health care and abortion, whether it’s through flying [to another state] or even access to f*cking organizations.”
“Don’t let anybody freak you out about an abortion,” Bridgers says. “Because unless you’re doing it in an unsafe way, there are resources for you if you’re trying to get one — and you should f*cking have one, for whatever reason.”
She remembers the apprehension she felt at her own appointment. “I hate going to the doctor’s office, so doing that was anxiety-riddled,” she recalls. “I also hate having people near any sensitive part of my body, so I was already nervous. [In the end, though,] it was just super nice.”
Bridgers adds that in this current day and age, abortions can (and should) be safe, expressing her gratitude toward the people and organizations who helped her feel supported throughout her procedure. “It’s super safe,” she says. “Shoutout to Planned Parenthood. I was very held during it.” As Bridgers continues to share her story and her dissatisfaction with abortion policy in the United States, she also continues to advocate for tangible change. “I like going to places with an especially f*cked-up government, because the youth is so angry and cool,” she says. And this anger, she explains, is power.
“I feel like hate is actually healthy,” she says. “It’s OK to be f*cking super angry.”