Written by Jeff Mackey
As someone who first took part in a Pride parade way back in the '80s (I was just a child, of course), I can confirm that LGBT folks love to twerk it to a sickening (in a good way) bass beat. But for captive marine mammals—many of whom navigate using an intricate sonar system—those loud noises are sickening in the worst way. That's why Project Runway's style guru and father figure, Tim Gunn, has joined PETA in appealing to the organizers of Atlanta Pride to move their annual kickoff party somewhere other than the Georgia Aquarium.
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Tim stands alongside LGBT luminaries Jane Lynch and Martina Navratilova—as well as thousands of concerned Pride supporters—in requesting that the event be relocated. In his letter to the Atlanta Pride executive director, Tim asks, "As a leader of Pride, you champion the human rights of the individuals in the LGBT community. How is it possible to be simultaneously dismissive of the pain and anguish suffered by another species of mammal?"
How You Can Help
Those who have experienced prejudice and oppression should know better than to inflict suffering on anyone else. Please ask Atlanta Pride to move the kickoff party to one of the city's many other venues.
Written by Michelle Kretzer
The new 3-D animated film Delhi Safari has all the elements of a kid-friendly romp: wise-cracking animals, madcap adventure, and sing-along–worthy musical scores performed by the likes of dancing parrots and turbaned flamingoes. But cleverly disguised beneath the hilarity and hijinks, the film's message is one that's never too early for kids to hear: Human beings must think about how our actions affect other species.
As the film, which is set in India, opens, builders begin bulldozing a forest to erect a new housing development. But an intrepid group of animals who call the forest home band together on a journey to Delhi to ask the government to stop the destruction. Throughout the exciting escapade, kids can see that animals value their homes, their families, and their lives, just as we do. And, as the animals make clear when they finally reach Delhi, we must all learn to coexist peacefully.
The film, which features the voice of PETA supporter Jane Lynch, is being released in select cities, but Delhi Safari is worth taking kids on their own safari to see it. You can request a showing in your area using GATHR, or buy tickets online for a theater near you.
You can also visit PETAKids.com for fun activities, games, stickers, coloring books, and more that can help kids develop compassion for animals.
Although some aquariums are still willing to host raucous parties despite knowing that the pounding music is hell on marine mammals' sensitive sonar systems, more progressive aquariums are refusing. Case in point: Rocker Tony Kanal teamed up with PETA to let the under-construction Ripley's Aquarium of Canada in Toronto know that rock belongs in arenas, not aquariums. Here's his letter asking the aquarium not to allow rowdy parties if it intends to keep whales and dolphins in the building:
Almost immediately, Tony received this positive response:
We share your concerns regarding loud noises on marine mammals in both the wild as well as in marine facilities. I would like to inform you that we will not be holding marine mammals in our aquarium.
Not only is Ripley's saving whales and dolphins from becoming disoriented and agitated when deafening music disrupts their ability to navigate and communicate via sonar, the aquarium is also saving them from the lifetime of frustration, illness, and stress that they would have had in captivity.
While all marine mammals deserve their freedom, the least that aquariums can do is not torment them with blasting music. Join Jane Lynch in asking Atlanta Pride to move its upcoming party to a more humane venue than the Georgia Aquarium, and join Tommy Lee in asking SeaWorld to cancel its loud "Shamu Rocks" shows.
Last year, Atlanta Pride's raucous party at the Georgia Aquarium raised the ire of many members of the LGBT community. PETA Vice President Dan Mathews, who is gay, attended the party to ask the organizers to consider a different location in the future. When he published a piece in The Huffington Post describing what he observed and what aquarium employees told him about how the loud, booming music torments the aquarium's marine mammals, who navigate and communicate via sensitive sonar systems, people jumped to the animals' defense. But Atlanta Pride has planned another party, with amplifiers aplenty, at the Georgia Aquarium. And again, gay animal rights advocates are calling "party foul."
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In captivity, these whales have little room for exercise and are cut off from their natural social groups.
Jane Lynch wrote to Buck Cooke, managing director of Atlanta Pride, on PETA's behalf and urged him to move the party to a more humane venue:
Many of the marine mammals at the aquarium are extremely sensitive to sound, and large parties create an even more stressful environment than they already endure in captivity. Animals such as beluga whales and dolphins communicate with one another by means of an intricate sonar system. The excess noise disorients them, thwarts their ability to communicate, and sometimes causes them to attack one another …. Given the animals' extreme sensitivity to noise, the aquarium does not seem like an appropriate venue for such a large and festive gathering.
Animal advocates and the LGBT community often work hand in hand because we both understand oppression and cruelty, so there's nothing to be proud of about a Pride event that hurts animals. Please contact Atlanta Pride Managing Director Buck Cooke today and urge him to switch the event's kickoff party to a more humane venue. Atlanta Pride should be a positive, enjoyable experience for everyone, including the animals.
Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied wed last weekend, and to celebrate their nuptials, they feasted on vegan food at an all-vegan reception. PETA sent our friend Natalie the "Tea for Two" teapot from Daisy Dog Studio.
The U.S. has fallen for gold medal winner Gabby Douglas, but the gymnast hardly ever falls—except for animals. Answering Us Weekly's "25 Things You Don't Know About Me" quiz, Douglas' number one fact was "My favorite animals are dogs and cats." She went on to brag about having two dogs of her own.
Glee star Charlotte Ross hit it off with a chimpanzee named Burrito she met while visiting a Washington sanctuary. Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, which PETA works with, is a home for chimpanzees who were rescued from animal testing facilities. Charlotte said the trip made her even more determined to see the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act passed.
There was no love lost between Jane Lynch and the restaurant most notorious for bigotry and chicken abuse. Jane kicked off Comedy Central's roast of Roseanne Barr with a spirited, "F*** Chick-fil-A!" We're with you, Jane.
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So is Alicia Silverstone, who joined in the Twitter conversation this week with her pro-equality, pro-chickens message:
Last night, the Stand-Up for Animals PETA benefit show at the famous Comedy Store on L.A.'s Sunset Strip was funnier than a barrel of animatronic monkeys.
Bill Maher, Jane Lynch, Carol Leifer, Jeffrey Ross, Marc Maron, and host Fred Willard—in other words, some of the most talented comedians in the world—came together to raise money for PETA and kept the packed house laughing until the audience's sides hurt.
Guests included Pink, Carey Hart, Olivia Munn, Cloris Leachman, Jorja Fox, Christian Serratos, Renee Olstead, Elisabetta Canalis, Emily Osment, and Moby, many of whom tried valiantly not to do spit takes with The Comedy Store's delicious vegan snacks while laughing at Jeffrey Ross' hysterical poem to his cat or Carol Leifer's explanation that she had to go vegan because being a Jewish lesbian wasn't enough.
Bill Maher quipped, "Before PETA was around, you know, you could f-ck with animals any way, anybody, anytime, anywhere, and now you can't. That's a pretty big change in the world. That's a big achievement. … Animals will not be ignored. They're the Glenn Close of species."
And with all the funds raised by the end of the night, PETA can make sure that animal abusers won't be laughing for long.
Written by PETA
When they aren't starring on screen or on stage, many of the nominees in this year's Teen Choice Awards are starring in ads for PETA! There are heaps of hotties with hearts of gold and vegetarians vying for votes this year, so we hope that you'll encourage the animal-friendly teens in your life to cast their vote for compassion in every category. Here are our picks:
Adele Choice Music: Female Artist
Darren Aronofsky, Black Swan, DirectorChoice Movie: Drama
Justin Bieber Choice Music: Male ArtistChoice TV: Villain, CSIChoice Male Hottie Choice Twit (for Twitter presence)Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon: Male
Russell Brand, Arthur Choice Movie Actor: Comedy
Ellen DeGeneresChoice Twit (for Twitter presence)Choice Comedian
Emily Deschanel, BonesChoice TV Actress: Drama
Lady Gaga Choice Music: Female Artist
Anne Hathaway, RioChoice Animated Movie: Voice
Eva Mendes, The Other Guys Choice Movie Actress: Comedy
Mila Kunis Choice Female Hottie
Jane Lynch, Glee Choice TV: Female Reality/Variety Star
Renee Olstead, The Secret Life of the American Teenager Choice TV Show: Drama
Jared Padalecki, Supernatural Choice TV Actor: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Grace Park, Hawaii Five-O Choice TV Show: ActionChoice TV Actress: Action
Audrina Patridge, Audrina Choice TV: Female Reality/Variety Star
Katy Perry Choice Music: Female Artist
Kellie Pickler Choice Music: Female Country Artist
Maggie Q, Nikita Choice TV Show: ActionChoice TV Actress: Action
Yvonne Strahovski, Chuck Choice TV Actress: Action
Carrie Underwood Choice Music: Female Country Artist
Kristen Wiig, Bridesmaids Choice Movie: ComedyChoice Movie Actress: ComedyChoice Movie: Hissy Fit
Glee Cast Choice Music: Group Choice TV Show: Comedy
Khloe & Lamar Choice TV: Reality Show
Linkin Park Choice Music: Rock Group
Modern Family Choice TV Show: Comedy
OneRepublic Choice Music: Rock Group
Written by Michelle Sherrow
Every year, following the broadcast of the Westminster Dog Show, breeders and pet shops do big business, which leads to more breeding—and to an overpopulation crisis that costs millions of animals their lives each year. That's why the always fabulous Jane Lynch, one of the stars of the Fox hit Glee, sent an urgent letter to the USA Network, which airs Westminster, asking it to run a darkly humorous PETA ad that asks the provocative question, "If you buy a dog, what will you do with the shelter dog you kill?"
"Although I played an ambitious dog trainer in Best in Show, in real life I wouldn't go near the Westminster Dog Show," Jane writes. "That's why I'm asking the USA Network to please air PETA's 'Everyday Dogs' public service announcement (PSA) during your Westminster coverage so that viewers will know the real consequences of buying animals rather than adopting from shelters."
If a dog show is coming to your community, get the word out about the deadly side of breeding and pet stores and the importance of animal birth control, just like a group of concerned folks did outside the Golden Gate Kennel Club show in San Francisco over the weekend. Let's all keep it up, for the love of dog!
Here's one for the Christmas carolers—Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album, featuring PETA pals Lea Michele and Jane Lynch. Surely you'll want to a-choir this one for your holiday music collection—and if you come out on top of this week's "Win It" Wednesday challenge, you will.
How can you win it? Simply rework a verse from your favorite holiday song to tell us how you'll bring glee to the animals in your life. If I could enter, mine would go like this:
(To the tune of "Jingle Bells") Dashing through house Frank and Tom will be Racing to be the oneAt the top of their new cat tree
(To the tune of "Jingle Bells")
Dashing through house Frank and Tom will be Racing to be the oneAt the top of their new cat tree
I know, I know. It'll be a cinch for you to top mine, but do us a favor and tell us which holiday classic you've drawn your inspiration from. The entry that most makes our judges burst out into a sing-along will win.
The contest ends on December 8, and the winner will be chosen on December 10. Be sure to read our privacy policy and terms and conditions, as you're agreeing to both by commenting. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Good luck!
Written by Karin Bennett
Please note: Glee is a registered trademark of Twentieth Century Fox. Twentieth Century Fox is not affiliated with PETA, nor do they endorse, sponsor, or otherwise support this promotion.
Congrats to PETA pals Kyra Sedgwick, Jane Lynch, and Edie Falco for their well-deserved Emmy wins last night. Another big winner was HBO's Temple Grandin, a film about the life of an extraordinary person who has helped reduce the suffering of millions of animals and advocated for autism education. Helping animals is its own reward, but winning a gold statue has to feel good, too!
If you have a general question for PETA and would like a response, please e-mail Info@peta.org. If you need to report cruelty to an animal, please click here. If you are reporting an animal in imminent danger and know where to find the animal and if the abuse is taking place right now, please call your local police department. If the police are unresponsive, please call PETA immediately at 757-622-7382 and press 2.
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