1/8/2008

Birth Control Resource Center Release Edgy New Advertisements

Planned Parenthood is airing controversial a controversial new television advertisements designed to draw attention to the importance of safer sex and using birth control. Along with drawing attention to birth control use, the advertisements are drawing attention from conservative groups as well. Given the content of the ad this comes as no surprise. In fact, it's a surprise that the commercial hasn't drawn more negative attention.

There's more than one reason for conservatives to be concerned.

The opening scene shows the inside of an airplane's cabin lit up like a nightclub. A flamingly gay male flight attendant (wearing bright orange and red )is pushing the beverage cart down the aisle. While dancing down the aisle he introduces himself as Steven and announces that they have now reached their cruising altitude of "One Mile High". Steven then leans over to a seated couple. While the woman is licking a heart-shaped Steven asked if they have all of the birth control options they need - condoms, the patch, the pill..etc. Steven then declares that they can have even more if they want opening up an overhead compartment that spills condoms all over the travelers.

The next scene shows text saying "The friendly skies just got safer". The commercial ends with Steven sitting on the pilot's lap while they stare lovingly at each other.

This isn't the first commercial from Planned Parenthood to draw the ire of conservatives. Earlier last year Planned Parenthood released a commercial depicting two angels - a male and female - hovering like voyeurs over the bed of a couple having sex. The male angel is eating popcorn like he's at a movie. When the angels see the couple neglect birth control the male angel rewinds the scene after which the couples talk about sexual protection.

Another edgy Planned Parenthood commercial depicts an attractive woman in a hard hat using a jackhammer while a voice-over reveals, "My father always told me to use the right tool for the right job". When she leaves work at the end of the day she arrives at home to see her boyfriend in bed with a hard-hat on. She strips down to shorts, a tool belt, and a tank top with "Safe is Sexy" on it. She grabs a tool box stuffed with multicolored condoms. As the scene fades from the toolbox a woman's voice-over says, "Nice Tool!"

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