PETA knows what it's doing is offensive. That's what they're trying to do, in a misguided and immoral attempt to get attention. In fact, the first FAQ on their website "Why does PETA sometimes use nudity in its campaigns?" has this lovely tidbit:
"...colorful and 'controversial' demonstrations and campaigns like activists stripping to 'go naked instead of wearing fur' consistently grab headlines."Their most recent ad depicts a pants-less woman in a neck brace hobbling through the street, because apparently her boyfriend went vegan or something. This ad normalizes violence against women by implying that people should want their boyfriend have them end up in a neck brace. Bitch magazine has an excellent critique.
Also, PETA has sunk to the lowest of the low by announcing plans to launch its own porn site. Now, I have nothing against porn per se, but when an ANIMAL RIGHTS organization is so desperate for attention that they will start a porn site, something is seriously wrong. More on that here.
The bottom line is that PETA is acting incredibly irresponsibly, and is muddling its message in cries for attention and unnecessary sexism. People should absolutely treat others ethically, and PETA would do well to remember that that includes women.
-Emily, NPA Volunteer
