A teen outreach project featuring nylon necklaces strung with condoms was eliminated from a Planned Parenthood booth at the Jackson County Fair Thursday after outraged parents complained to officials.

"We talked to them today and asked them not to do that," said Fair Manager Chris Borovansky. "We asked them not to flaunt something or make something more than it is."

But a bowl of free candy-colored condoms was allowed to remain in the booth according to the terms of Planned Parenthood’s fair contract, he added.

More than 15 people e-mailed or called to complain about the project in which older teens were allowed to make "condom leis" fashioned of nylon netting, condoms and pipecleaners.

Planned Parenthood representatives said the activity was aimed at removing stigma and secrecy from contraceptive use.

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"The intent is to make condoms a normal part of life," said Paul Robinson, community relations director. "You do what attracts the older youth."

Younger children were not allowed to make the necklaces or to take free condoms, Robinson said.

The presence of condoms at the fair outraged Niquita Wilkinson, 45, of Eagle Point. She said she saw two teenage girls stringing condom necklaces Tuesday night.

"It’s not a bar, it’s not a truck stop, it’s not a bowling alley," said Wilkinson. "The fair is like the biggest kids’ thing around. It’s just not appropriate here."

Several members of Southern Oregon Right-to-Life were among protesters, but it wasn’t an organized e-mail campaign, said Bryan Platt, 50, the group’s president.

"I think it’s a random effort by people who are offended that they’re putting condoms out there where kids can take them," he said. "That is utterly disgusting that they would turn this into an arts-and-crafts project."

Others said parents shouldn’t have to confront sexuality when they’re touring the fair with toddlers.

But Planned Parenthood representatives staffing the booth said most people who passed by handled the situation with aplomb.

Jan Janssen, a board member from Ashland, said a boy of about 7 asked his dad about the condoms in the bowl.

"The dad just said, ‘These are for grownups,’" Janssen said. "That was it. It was just fine."

The necklace project was so popular among older teens that the booth ran out of supplies, said Deanna Leitner, public affairs field organizer with Planned Parenthood.

"We were talking about condoms and being safe," she said, adding that she told young-looking kids to ask their parents before getting a condom.

"I’m certainly not doing what I’m accused of doing, which is distributing condoms to very young children."

Planned Parenthood representatives contend that access to contraceptives is vital in a country in which the average age of first intercourse is 16.

Several studies have shown there’s no evidence that making contraception available increases promiscuity, Robinson said.

But opponents of condom distribution argue that it usurps parental power and encourages kids to have sex. They contend condoms offer a false sense of protection against pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Condoms can continue to be distributed at the fair because they’re not a controlled substance prohibited in the contract, Borovansky said. About 200 exhibitors sign booth contracts each year.

Planned Parenthood’s presence should not disrupt the family atmosphere of the fair, he added.

"My opinion would be that having condoms in a booth does not constitute more than a G rating. You can see more at a movie or a store," he said.

"This is one of those cases where we’ll have to agree to disagree."

Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail jaleccia@mailtribune.com