The United States has the highest rate of unintended pregnancy (three million per year) and sexually transmitted infections (19 million per year) of any Western nation. Accordingly, Trojan, one of America’s leading condom producers, has launched an advertising and public information campaign to reframe people’s perceptions about using condoms and start a much-needed dialogue about sexual health in America. "Evolve" is the campaign’s title and it is meant to convey the message that people who are sexually active should take steps to protect and respect each other. Obviously, using condoms is an important part of this approach.
Not so, says FOX and CBS who aren’t buying this evolution nonsense (wait, we are still talking about sex, right?) and are refusing to air the commercials. FOX has issued a statement saying, "Contraceptive advertising must stress health-related uses rather than the prevention of pregnancy." CBS, on the other hand, defended its rejection of the ad by stating the company, "did not find it appropriate" for the network. Quick question; can anyone remember who aired scantily clad women in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show? Oh yeah, CBS. But condom ads daring to address pregnancy prevention in conjunction with STI prevention? Waaayy to racy!
I really like the response by Carol Carraozza, vice president of marketing for Ansell Healthcare, which makes Lifestyles condoms. She so cleverly said, "We always find it funny that you can use sex to sell jewelry and cars, but you can’t use sex to sell condoms."
But let’s get serious for a moment. Planned Parenthood has advocated for programs that prevent sexually transmitted infections AND unintended pregnancies for years, most recently through our Prevention First! Campaign - and we've faced extremist opposition to these commonsense measures every step of the way. This latest move by CBS and FOX is yet another example of how narrow-minded, biased thinking can prevent a well-intentioned, prevention-focused message from reaching millions of viewers.
Condoms are easily the most accessible contraceptive; both women and men are able to attain them without a prescription or a doctor’s visit...possibly even for free. To reduce the message to: Condoms are ok, but not for preventing pregnancy. Well, that flies in both the face of logic as well as responsible public health usage of the product. And, it is indicative of the pseudo-morality that has been unrelenting in its attack of women’s rights.
Obviously, preventing unintended pregnancy IS a major public health issue. One would think the focus WOULD fall to the prevention side of the spectrum. But not so in the eyes of the pseudo-moralists like pro-life impresario James Dobson. Did you know that there is not one pro-life group in this country that supports contraception use? They even oppose condom distribution in African countries where as many as 1 in 3 people are HIV positive. They rallied against Emergency Contraception, calling it an abortifacient. They consistantly introduce bills which decrease funding for Planned Parenthood family planning clinics. And, the steady drumbeat to overturn Roe v. Wade is constantly in their periphery. And still, they claim to care about women and public health. But we know the dull roar behind all these manuvers has always been to subvert women. Their message is clear: women are for the home and sex is for procreation. Anything outside these boundries is wrong (and immoral).
I can almost get over the utter hypocrisy of both FOX and CBS citing moral reasoning to not show Trojans ads (Hello Temptation Island and Viagra ads!). I can do that because I know they are ultimately looking after their own bottom line. However, the crux is that by capitulating to this vocal, but minor right-wing force, they are putting the public at risk. I cannot tolerate that. Preventing unintended pregnancy AND sexually transmitted infections are top public health priorities. As major networks that pride themselves on public service, FOX and CBS have an obligation to take every opportunity available to educate the public about safer sex and responsible decision-making. By rejecting Trojan’s ad, FOX and CBS have made the wrong move for public health. And, they have ultimately shown they aren’t very...evolved.
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Planned Parenthood has an action item alert out on this. If you would like to send a message to FOX and CBS go to:
http://www.ppaction.org/...
(Thanks to Dailykos member Planned Parenthood for the original email about this - I used her email as the basis for the above article I wrote for our local PP newsletter)