Tucker Max Donation

Rejected By Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood Texas has been forced to scramble for funds following the Texas state legislature’s decision to cut off Medicaid funds to the organization for providing services that could *clearly* be just as easily be facilitated in a dark alley. Yet, even in its darkest hour the organization refused to accept $500,000 from “I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell” author Tucker Max.

It is not surprising the Planned Parenthood has decided to turn down Max’s offer. The controversial “author” has, within the past calendar year, made heinous comments about Planned Parenthood and the women who receive health care there on his Twitter account.

He tweeted in July 2011 that “Planned Parenthood would be cooler if it were a giant flight of stairs, w/someone pushing girls down, like a water park slide. #FF @PPact.”

Max continued with his controversial comments in a March 14 tweet:

Max’s publicist, Ryan Holiday, said that Planned Parenthood declined the donation over qualms about his client’s reputation as a misogynist who regularly degrades women under the guise of “men writing about men in an honest and authentic way.”

All is not lost for Max though as PETA, which also at times exploits women for its various causes, doesn’t mind taking his money and using his name.

Ingrid E. Newrik, PETA president, had this to say: “We would like to purchase a brand-new mobile spay-and-neuter truck and name it ‘Fix Your Bitches! The Tucker Max No-Cost to Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic.’”

Newkirk added that “the truck would cost just under $400,000 and Max could donate another $100,000 for veterinary fees if he’s willing to donate the same amount he offered Planned Parenthood.” (See PETA’s full letter to Max below).

According to Holiday, they are “going to seriously consider their [PETA's] offer,” which is probably a wise decision, considering many people think Max’s offer to Planned Parenthood was a “contrived ploy for publicity.”

Max has since responded to recent criticism on his website saying, “In short: I tried to donate $500,000 to Planned Parenthood, and they turned me down because they were worried more about other people’s perceptions of the donation than helping women.”

I was very serious about this donation: Lots of people have tried to call this a “publicity stunt.” That’s funny, I didn’t know that a 500k check is a joke to them. I offered real money that PP could really use, there was no ruse or stunt involved. I’ve been pro-choice my whole life, I went to PP many times with girls when I was poor and got help, I believe in their mission and in universal access to family planning services. I’ve ALWAYS believed in those principles, and this was a sincere attempt to cut Planned Parenthood real check. A “publicity stunt” would be doing something designed only to get me attention without actually doing anything, like a prank or, I don’t know, something that didn’t involve giving HALF A MILLION DOLLARS to them. Its ridiculous how people think what you do doesn’t matter, it’s only their perception of your action that defines you.

In short, though Max may have a reputation of being a chauvinistic pig because of his books, his gesture proves you can’t always judge a book by its cover.

Let’s hope that Max takes PETA up on its offer.

PETA’S ENTIRE LETTER TO TUCKER MAX:

Dear Mr. Max,

I am writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 3 million members and supporters with a proposition we hope you’ll like. Having heard about Planned Parenthood’s rejection of your offer, we’d like to propose an alternative way that you can help prevent unwanted pregnancies, receive a tax break, and put your name proudly on a clinic—perhaps along with a picture of you and your dog! We would like to purchase a brand-new mobile spay-and-neuter truck and name it “Fix Your Bitches! The Tucker Max No-Cost to Low-Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic.” The truck would cost just shy of $400,000 (delivered fully equipped) and give us $100,000 in leftover funds to spend on veterinary fees—if you are willing to spend the same amount you were offering Planned Parenthood. Since 2001, our mobile clinics have helped prevent the births of hundreds of thousands of unwanted cats and dogs. In fact, PETA spays and neuters more than 800 dogs and cats every month in some of the most impoverished areas of North Carolina and lower Virginia. We assist owners who have a hard time paying their utility bills, are without transportation of any kind, and often live in trailer parks. One of our mobile clinics is on its last legs (it’s in the repair shop more than it’s on the road), so this would be a huge help. Two of our clinics currently display images of Simon Cowell and Ron Artest. Please see this mock-up of what the Tucker Max clinic could look like, complete with the “Fix Your Bitches!” slogan and an image of you hugging a dog. Millions of dogs and cats must be euthanized every year because people continue to let them breed when there are not enough homes to go around. Most end up in shelters—others are left to fend for themselves on the streets, where they are often subjected to cruelty, suffer from starvation or diseases, or are hit by cars. Dogs and cats may “sleep” with more mates “than is safe or reasonable” —but unlike us, they can’t unwrap a condom. Will you help us provide this essential form of birth control? Thank you for considering this.

Very truly yours,

Ingrid E. Newkirk

President

Read more at Huffington Post here and here.