Condoms From Planned Parenthood Denounced By Pass Area Lawmaker

SAN GORGONIO PASS, CA — A lawmaker who represents Banning and Beaumont has condemned Planned Parenthood for sending Valentine's Day greetings that contained condoms with messages he said were obscene and designed to intimidate legislators, but the organization said the intention was to underscore the importance of safe sex.

On Thursday, Sen. Mike Morrell, R-Menifee, said his office was one of many in the state Legislature to receive packages with condoms sealed in plastic wraps bearing the words, "Don't F*ck With Us. Don't F*ck Without Us."

"Aside from its vulgarity, it is a veiled threat and a strong-arm tactic — something I don't appreciate, particularly when it appears to also be directed at our staff," Morrell said.

"Communicating such an overtly crude and sexualized message is inappropriate in any workplace, including here at the capitol."

Jennifer Wonnacott, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood, said the organization sent the packages to all California state legislators, Democrat and Republican, in recognition of National Condom Day, which coincides with Valentine's Day. The occasion was used "as an opportunity to highlight the importance of safe sex — something we think all members of the Legislature can support, especially to help reduce epidemic levels of sexually transmitted diseases in California," she said in a released statement.

"Planned Parenthood is proud to advocate and promote safe sex, and we will continue to highlight the importance of sexual and reproductive health care with all legislators, especially in light of federal attacks on access to care," Wonnacott continued.

Morrell said that in every legislative session, "all employees and legislators attend and participate in classroom prevention training for harassment, discrimination and retaliation. Based on my experience from these courses, this incident would violate the standards of conduct ... (intended to ensure) a safe and professional workplace free of intimidation."

The lawmaker urged Democratic leaders in both the Senate and Assembly to "condemn Planned Parenthood's distribution of these items and use the opportunity to remind all those in the capitol community of its expectations for appropriate workplace behavior and decorum."

Wonnacott pushed back on Morrell's comments, stating, " ... if we want to talk about harassment and threats, we can give real examples of the threats made against patients and providers every day to try to stop access to care — both in front of health care centers and by the federal government. If those who take issue with Planned Parenthood trying to promote safe sex want to do something, we would welcome them in condemning the harassment against patients and providers who are simply trying to access and provide basic health care."

—City News Service contributed to this report.