Trump Health Appointees Receive Endangered Species Condoms for Holidays

Condom Care Packages Encourage Appointees to Protect Reproductive Rights, Address Population Growth

WASHINGTON— Six Trump appointees in the Department of Health and Human Services today were sent a colorful package of Endangered Species Condoms and a letter urging them to protect reproductive rights and family planning programs and expand comprehensive sex education.

The holiday delivery of these “condom care packages” is part of the Center for Biological Diversity's project to raise awareness about the effects of human population growth on wildlife.

“These stocking stuffers will remind Trump officials that reproductive healthcare is a human right,” said Sarah Baillie, the Center's Endangered Species Condoms coordinator. “Family planning and comprehensive sex education are also essential to combating human population growth. Giving every person access to these tools makes the planet better for everyone, including the wildlife who share it with us.”

The condoms went to Teresa Manning, deputy assistant secretary for population affairs; Seema Verma, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service; Valerie Huber, chief of staff to the assistant secretary for health; Jane Norton, director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs; Charmaine Yoest, assistant secretary of public affairs; and Scott Lloyd, director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Together these appointees have proposed cuts to family planning programs, supported abstinence-only education and limited access to contraception.

“Everyone should have access to reproductive healthcare, contraception and science-based sex education,” said Baillie. “But these top-ranking Trump appointees have a disturbing record of fighting these essential programs. Their extremist views have no place in public policy.”

The officials will receive a package of brightly colored condom boxes featuring images of species threatened by human population growth and slogans like “Wrap with care, save the polar bear” and “Before it gets hotter, remember the sea otter.” The appointees will also receive a letter criticizing their disregard of facts and attacks on sexual and reproductive health.

Human population continues to grow at a rate of about 227,000 people per day, driving habitat loss and forcing competition for natural resources. Wild plants and animals are going extinct at rates 1,000 to 10,000 times the natural background rate due to habitat loss, pollution, climate change and other human-caused problems.

There are more than 7.5 billion people on the planet. The United States ranks as the third most populous country and also boasts the highest rate of unintended pregnancies in the developed world. 45 percent of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned.

The Center's Population and Sustainability program advocates for rights-based, common-sense solutions, including universal access to contraception, reproductive healthcare and family planning services, education and equality for women and girls, and reducing our environmental footprint.