Planned Parenthood: Sen. Alex Padilla a Komen ‘Pink Tie Guy’ no more

Now it’s real serious. California state Sen. Alex Padilla says he’s severing ties -- and taking off his own tie -- with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The announcement comes a day after the Komen foundation announced it was ending grants to Planned Parenthood for breast-cancer screening and other breast-health services.

Padilla, according to a news release, has volunteered as one of the foundation’s “Pink Tie Guys,” who raise awareness about breast cancer by donning -- you guessed it -- pink ties at public events.

Planned Parenthood has been attacked by conservatives for performing abortions -- and none of the money from the Komen foundation goes toward that particular service. Some 170,000 of the 4 million breast exams given through Planned Parenthood over the last five years have been funded by Komen grants.

“Komen has placed its supporters in the untenable position of aligning themselves with acquiescence to the agenda of the religious right, or aligning themselves with healthcare and breast cancer organizations that will not bow to such pressures,” Padilla said in a statement. “The choice is clear to me. I choose the latter.”

Other local groups have also condemned the decision. “The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center is calling on people everywhere to cease their participation in Susan G. Komen fundraising events and transfer their support to other worthy organizations that support survivors of breast cancer or are working for a cure, or to give directly to Planned Parenthood,” center Chief Executive Lorri L. Jean said in a statement.

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