Urban Outfitters Yanks Condoms From Online Store

I'm not supposed to admit this, but I'm going to be honest: I don't think condoms are sexy. Yes, condoms are more affordable and accessible than a lot of other types of contraceptives, and nobody goes around hoping they'll find themselves catching an STI or accidentally pregnant and in need an abortion — no matter how pro-choice you are. The fact that I don't swoon over condoms is largely an issue of privilege — I can afford and have access to other contraceptives, for instance — but the fact remains that I understand why a lot of people don't use them when it's to their benefit. How do we solve this problem? Making them more widely available, with less stigma attached, is a great start.

Too bad it was one giant false start for Urban Outfitters this month. RH Reality Check's Eleanor Bader reports that Proper Attire brand condoms were yanked from the online Urban Outfitters catalog just two days after anti-choice protesters, misinformation about condom failure rates in hand, lobbied UO to end their ill-fated partnership with Planned Parenthood. It took a mere 48 hours for the hand-wringing, anti-sex church groups to badger UO into removing the offending merch. How's that for some aggressive bullying and a quick concession?

The Proper Attire condoms were part of a partnership with Planned Parenthood to raise awareness about condom use, as part of a "lifestyle statement" with proceeds going to Planned Parenthood. The joint effort encourages women to purchase condoms, a target market rarely tapped due to some women's embarrassment about buying condoms. Do you think the anti-choicers were mad that women were being encouraged to sleep around or that someone was advocating for the practice of safe sex?

Urban Outfitters is not exactly having a great summer. Between selling t-shirts that tell you to "Eat Less" and use racist slurs, and the company's union busting and donations to pro-Proposition 8 Republicans, this kinda puts a nail in the coffin for me. I can't remember the last time I bought something in the extraordinarily overpriced not-quite-thrift store, but I'm not about to go back now.

It's true that by bumping UO from your shopping repertoire — hopefully with American Apparel long out of the picture (and soon, filing for bankruptcy!) — you may have fewer places to buy overpriced dingy flannel and coffee table books about found art and blow jobs. But you know what? There is life after shopping, and you should support retailers that don't try to stomp all over your rights.

Sign this petition and tell Urban Outfitters that condoms aren't shameful, they're helpful. Don't be tricked into feeling badly about sex, especially by a corporation that blatantly uses sex in their marketing campaigns. Besides, if shops like UO had sold condoms when I was a teenager, maybe I would have grown up being less put off by them, more willing to buy a few alongside a pair of jeans, and not think twice about making a healthy, safe choice.

Photo Credit: trec_lit