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Penn State Wonder Woman STI Ad is Widely Mocked – But Will DC Sue?

Published Mon, 04 Feb 2019 11:00:15 -0600

Last updated Mon, 04 Feb 2019 14:31:59 -0600

This is an STI-awareness ad posted on Penn State University message boards, shared on social media.

Aaaaand the Pregnancy Resource Clinic strikes again with the most slut-shaming and fault-insinuating ad I have ever seen. And this was on the back of the HUB's bathroom stall – a place where thousands of people may come across. I'm ashamed that Penn State would allow such an ad. pic.twitter.com/8EkjUggBTq

— Kelsey Denny (@KelseyDenny) February 2, 2019

It…hasn't gone down that well.

Per the CDC, college men have (on avg) more than triple the number of sexual partners as college women, and those with a greater number of sexual partners were less likely to use protection. So why is @penn_state running a health campaign based on slut shaming and blame shifting? pic.twitter.com/b19IeEldbM

— feminist next door (@emrazz) February 2, 2019

And the University finally responded.

Thank you for raising this issue. We are looking into the placement of this ad.

— Penn State (@penn_state) February 3, 2019

I bet they are. But some people have wondered if DC Comics might want to know about this use of their trademark?

Hey @DCComics …I am sure you don't like seeing Wonder Woman portrayed by Penn State this way.

This is horrible! Penn State should be ashamed https://t.co/THq4unhjac

— Cat Staggs 🏳️‍🌈 (@CatStaggs) February 3, 2019

I'm not surprised that this came from Penn State. I am surprised that DC hasn't sent a C&D.

— Adam S. Messinger (@AdamSMessinger) February 3, 2019

I wonder what @DCComics thinks of their protected copyrights being violated like this.

— David Mason (@dostovie) February 3, 2019

No word yet. It's all just a bit… what's the word de jour? Oh yes, gyno-centric. Maybe they'll try to address the balance like this…

Does that make everything better? Thanks, Jude…

UPDATE: Penn State replied to our enquiries with Lisa M. Powers (great name for this story), senior director for News and Media Relations at Penn State telling us,

To clarify, this ad was not created by Penn State. This advertisement was created by the Pregnancy Resource Clinic — which is an off-campus independent organization and is not a part of the University. The poster has been removed and the University is in the process of reviewing guidelines and processes. Thanks. Would be grateful if you could clarify this with readers.

Happy to do so. And to send another e-mail out…

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