Planned Parenthood Announces Return of Annual 'Choice on Earth' Holiday Card; Greeting Card Back After Last Year's Anti-Choice Flap

12/1/2003

From: Hayley Rumback of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 202-973-4975

NEW YORK, Dec. 1 -- Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is pleased to announce the release of its annual card, "Choice on Earth," the holiday season's greeting that anti-choice hardliners love to hate.

The card, which sparked a controversy last year and garnered attention from conservative commentators like Bill O'Reilly, can be purchased at http://www.plannedparenthood.org/card.

"Planned Parenthood believes in every individual's right to make choices and live in peace with our planet. Our holiday card has proven to be very popular with America's pro-choice majority for almost a decade, because it sends an inclusive seasonal message for people of all faiths. I am proud of the PPFA card, which wishes people of all beliefs a peaceful and safe holiday season," said PPFA President Gloria Feldt.

"Choice on Earth" has been produced by PPFA for almost a decade and has been a favorite of America's pro-choice majority. Last year, the card came under fire from a number of anti-choice groups and was protested nationwide on Web sites, on radio shows, and in newspaper columns. Focus on the Family called it "outrageous and deeply offensive." The Family Research Council called the pro-choice holiday greeting "just plain sick," while U.S. Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) said it was "sacrilegious." Wendy Wright of Concerned Women for America bragged, "If Planned Parenthood had existed 2,000 years ago, it would have targeted Mary, an unwed, pregnant teenager, for a profitable abortion."

In response to this ridiculous onslaught of anti-choice pique, the public rallied around the card, buying up all of the original stock and asking for an increase in production. Ultimately, Planned Parenthood sold 25 percent more cards than in previous years, as well as thousands of "Choice on Earth" T-shirts created for the occasion. Proceeds from these sales help PPFA make choice on earth more of a reality than ever before. This year PPFA hopes "Choice on Earth" will be an even greater success.

Planned Parenthood believes in every individual's right to make choices and live in peace with our planet and wishes people of all beliefs a peaceful and safe holiday season.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary family planning organization. PPFA believes that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate nearly 900 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year.