Conservatives protest condoms on TV
Trojan condom ads have arrived on network TV according to this AdAge.com story:
The initial 30-second spot shows white text superimposed on a black background claiming that “40% of people who are HIV-positive don’t tell their partners,” before cutting to a shot of a couple cuddling as they share what appears to be an iPod headset with the superimposed statement: “Other than abstinence, the only way to protect yourself is to use a condom every time.”
But there were protests immediately from the conservative American Family Association that asked its members to lodge protests with their politicians and the networks:
“It’s a shame the networks have crossed the line and dropped a long-standing tradition,” said Randy Sharp, director of special projects for the AFA. “Now that Church & Dwight [the company behind the Trojan condom brand] has its foot in the door, it’s only a matter of time before the ads become more risqué.”
He said the group particularly objected to the ad airing on Smallville, a show geared toward teens. But he said other issues, such as a boycott of the Ford Motor Co. for supporting gay rights, are bigger concerns for the group right now.