Women's Rights Employment Law Blog

The city animal services department of Los Angeles had to wait till today when massive protests by activists over the last week finally changed its stance towards participating in a planned bikini contest called “Hooters for Neuters” for spaying pets.

It speaks volumes about the department’s reactionary compositions that have lent administrative helps to an organization systematically aimed at degrading women. Although, from one angle, it does appear to be natural to collaborate with the Hooters, since the department itself espouses spay and neuter as the methodical solution to welfare of animals!

However, the department has technically not backed out of the event. It has merely assured that it will not receive any money from the event. So the “Hooters for Neuters”, a conservative, anti-animal rights, sexist organization of disrepute will still continue to use the city department as its partner on all its publicity campaigns and gain legitimacy.

Under pressure, the Hooters website has undergone several changes since last week. In the beginning the official poster had a bikini clad woman supporting animal sterilization.

After severe protests from many feminist organizations, the city Controller Laura Chick responded in support of the activists. “Are we going backward here? We are a city with all kinds of progressive programs that empower women and end discrimination in the workplace, and now we're being connected with a Hooters bikini contest. It isn't right.”

Animal Services General Manager Ed Boks finally got convinced that the poster was at least degrading to women, and the poster accordingly changed on Hooters restaurant chain website, replacing the woman with a dog wearing a T-shirt that says “Hooters for Neuters”!

And now after more forced introspections, Boks has released a press note saying that the department will bow out of the July 13 fundraiser at the Hollywood nightclub hosted by the Hooters restaurant chain.

However, the Hooters on their part still mention the LA Animal Services department on their new amended poster.

In the meantime, according to reports, Councilwoman Jan Perry said the department's attempt to be creative in telling pet owners to sterilize their animals “crosses the line.” And animal activist Judy Cairns of San Pedro said she could live with the bikini contest on the condition that city officials — namely the men — also show some skin. “I want to see Mayor Villaraigosa's legs,” Cairns said.