UPDATE: Planned Parenthood of Utah removes posts after CTR condom controversy - East Idaho News
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UPDATE: Planned Parenthood of Utah removes posts after CTR condom controversy

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UPDATE: After two attempts at posting a photo of the LDS Church’s trademarked “CTR” logo on condom packaging, KUTV reports Planned Parenthood of Utah is removing all of their pictures and posts due to negative feedback. Click here to read the updated story.

ORIGINAL STORY

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A post from Planned Parenthood Action Council of Utah is getting a bit of attention for use of a symbol many in the Beehive state are familiar with – except its on a package of condoms.

The phrase “Choose The Right” or “CTR” is commonly used by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a reminder to stay faithful. On Tuesday, the PPAC used that symbol along with a “special run of CTR condoms to give away at the 2016 Salt Lake Summer Symposium of Sunstone Magazine.”

Initially the comments to the post were so bad PPACU removed the original post, because commenters were not obeying the page’s guidelines for conduct.

A new post went up with the following explanation:

“These condoms were created to foster conversation, so we encourage you to voice your opinion, as long as it adheres to our guidelines for conduct.”

While some have commented on the Facebook post stating the use of the shield and letters is a potential trademark infringement, PPACU says they believe they are not at risk of that concern in their marketing.

“It is our intention to use this imagery to foster an important conversation about condom use and safe sex in the big-tent LDS community. While we acknowledge that this tongue-in-cheek messaging does not appeal to all audiences, Planned Parenthood often uses humor as a rhetorical device to spark open, honest conversations about sex.”

“CTR is a registered trademark owned by the Church and its affiliated organizations. We have not given Planned Parenthood permission to use it,” said Kristen Howey, a spokeswoman for the LDS Church.

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