Catholic Nun Used for Condom Campaign
Image of Catholic nun used for pro condom campaign in Toulouse.
To promote “la Journée de la Sainte Capote – protégez-nous” [“Day of Saint Condom"], (March 28th, 2003) an Aids prevention campaign in Toulouse, the organizers used a photo of a Catholic nun. AGRIF (l'Alliance Générale contre le Racisme et pour le respect de l'Identité Française et Chrétienne) lodged a complaint against it. First, the Tribunal Correctionnel condemned the president of the Association “Aides” and the departemental coordinator. This sentence was uphold by the Cour d'Appel in Toulouse, arguing that this image might create "un amalgame provocateur et de mauvais goût ayant pu être ressenti comme une offense envers la communauté catholique". Finally, the Cour de Cassation on February 14th, 2006 nullified the two former sentences, because this image "n'excède pas les limites admissibles de la liberté d'expression" and was an acceptable form of humour.