PETA's 'cynical and exploitative' porn site

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals regularly goes to extremes to get attention, but the animal-rights group's latest tactic is making even more waves than usual. The organization has announced plans to launch a porn site, peta.xxx, to draw attention to its causes. Is this a bold, effective move or a "cynical and exploitative" tactic?

This will help PETA get noticed: "We really want to grab people's attention, get them talking and to question the status quo and ultimately take action," says Lindsay Rajt, a PETA spokeswoman, as quoted by The Huffington Post. Amidst the 24-hour news cycle, sometimes the best way to get people's attention is with something provocative. If pornography is what it takes to raise awareness about veganism and get people to stop killing and eating animals, so be it.

"PETA plans a porn site"

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But the message will be muddled: Look, I get it, says Carmel Lobello at Death + Taxes. "Sex sells." But from what I hear, the site will feature images of abused animals alongside porn shots, which sounds confusing. "Is PETA pro-animal rights, or anti-sex?" If they're trying to use sex to sell their message, "why would they create a website that will undoubtedly kill sex for anyone who goes there?"

"PETA to launch porn site: WTF?"

And this exploits women: I'm not anti-porn, but I find "PETA's tactic distasteful," says Mary Elizabeth Williams at Salon. The organization has repeatedly exploited women for its own purposes. How noble is it to get people to eat tofu when it comes with a side of T&A? This is "wildly cheap, lazy, and base" — not to mention insulting. "If you can't make your point without having bikini girls fellate zucchini, you are seriously just not trying hard enough."

"PETA's cynical and exploitative porn stunt"