Louisville, Ky. — Planned Parenthood issued an apology Thursday after acknowledging that a staff member mistakenly distributed graphic coloring books to a group of public school students at a Kentucky Science Center event last week. The organization initially denied the claim, but later clarified their statement, admitting the error.
The controversy arose after the Kentucky Science Center apologized on Wednesday for the distribution of an “adult” coloring book at its Health and Wellness Days event, held on March 21. The materials were given to students aged 8 to 13, sparking immediate backlash.
In a statement, Jennifer Allen, Director of External Affairs for Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, explained that the books were not intended for distribution at the event. “While all material at the event was medically accurate, we apologize for this error and are reviewing our internal protocols,” Allen said. She emphasized that the organization remains committed to providing accurate and comprehensive reproductive health information to all individuals.
The Kentucky Science Center had earlier issued its own apology, expressing regret for the distribution of the coloring book, which was deemed inappropriate for the event’s young audience. The Center stated on Wednesday afternoon that they “sincerely apologize for the distribution of a Planned Parenthood coloring book at our recent Health and Wellness Days event.”
However, Planned Parenthood initially disputed the claims, calling them “false” and accusing critics of attempting to “manufacture controversy” over the incident. The organization’s reversal on Thursday clarified that a staff member had indeed distributed the books inadvertently, leading to the apology.
Despite the confusion, both Planned Parenthood and the Kentucky Science Center appear to be focused on resolving the issue and reviewing their internal protocols to avoid similar mistakes in the future. The event, which was designed to educate students on health and wellness, has sparked a conversation about appropriate materials for children in educational settings.
As the situation unfolds, Planned Parenthood remains steadfast in its mission to provide medically accurate health education while taking steps to ensure that future events align with age-appropriate content guidelines.
