PETA animal rights campaign benefits when Montreal refuses permit

Montr - Pamela Anderson's latest People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) campaign got an added boost unexpectedly after Anderson's request for a permit for the launch was rejected by the Montreal Film and TV Commission.

Pamela Anderson, Canada's famous sex kitten, knows better than most that sex sells. She's built an entire career on portraying herself as a sexual being, and has never hesitated to continue with that portrayal when participating in PETA campaigns. The latest campaign is no different. Anderson is decked out in a bikini, sitting in a modest yet becoming pose. The jarring juxtaposition of lines outlining sections of her body resembles a butcher's diagram, and the sassy comparison certainly serves to draw attention to the 'Go Vegetarian' campaign.

Stephanie Dearing

Pages from the first Joy of Cooking cookbook, depicting the cuts of meat one can get from cattle.

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Even PETA calls Anderson's new ad campaign "provocative," and that means a lot coming from the controversial organization. And not coincidentally, Anderson's campaign allows the 43 year old to show her stuff. Because she was In Montreal for a gig hosting at Just for Laughs on July 15, Anderson wanted to launch her new PETA campaign at Place Jacques-Cartier, and so applied for a permit from the Montreal Film and TV Commission. The Montreal Gazette reported the permit was denied Wednesday, and the municipal agency explained the refusal by saying the poster Anderson is flaunting on behalf of PETA is "too sexist." In response, Anderson accused the agency of being hypocritical, and moved the launch to a Montreal restaurant, a location where a permit is apparently not required. Anderson issued a statement saying

“In a city that is known for its exotic dancing and for being progressive and edgy, how sad that a woman would be banned from using her own body in a political protest over the suffering of cows and chickens.”

However, it appears that saying no to Anderson has given her campaign a little more oomph and definitely more buzz than would otherwise have been generated. So far, over 100 different media outlets have picked up the story so far, and by tomorrow, the story -- and the ad -- will have made it all around the world. Anderson has always had a soft spot for animals. As a spokesperson for PETA, she has helped to protest the Canadian seal hunt. A professed vegetarian, Anderson also promotes the diet for PETA. But in case you thought that all Anderson did for PETA was scantily-clad glam shots, far removed from real, living animals, check this out. Anderson volunteers with the California Wildlife Center -- cleaning cages. And she also helps feed mice to baby owls, a task that might make many other folks queasy. Anderson told the Montreal Gazette that her children are proud of her work at the Center. PETA is best known for its eye-brow raising animal rights campaigns. The organization is controversial, however, because while it advocates for animal rights, its American animal shelters are said to have high euthanization rates. In its defence, the organization says it has to euthanize animals for their own good, showing photographs of animals with facial cancers, and one severely neglected dog. If you follow the link, be warned, PETA pulls your heart strings with the absolutely horrible photographs of animals there were suffering. Anderson has her own line of eco-friendly clothing and accessories after having set up shop with Richie Rich last year, although she ended up in trouble over the line, called "A*Muse." A London clothing company has launched a lawsuit saying Anderson over the name "A*Muse," claiming it had already snagged the name for its clothing years ago.