Palin in "Out of the Closet" Controversy

Governor Sarah Palin's "Aw shucks, I shop at thrift stores" admission cost her favorite Alaska shop something kinda important -- its name.
Sarah Palin, Out of the Closet
Out of the Closet is the name of the consignment shop Palin frequents back in Anchorage. It also happens to be the name of a chain of non-profit stores in California and Florida run by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). It's proceeds go toward HIV medical care, testing and prevention service, among other things.

When the AHF heard about the Alaska version via all the Palin hype, they sent over a cease and desist letter asking them to change their name. TMZ talked to Ellen Arvold, who owns the shop. She admits she's a little bummed, but plans on complying and changing the name of her store.

Reader Comments

(Page 6 of 6) Previous 15 Comments

76. It's a thrift store in Alaska. A letter had to be written about the name? Google names of companies and you'll find many that are the same. People need to be concerned more about what they are doing (helping people with AIDS/HIV) then with names of thrift stores. So what if you have the same name. Who cares?

McCain/Palin ....lesser of two evils.

Posted at 11:54AM on Oct 31st 2008 by American Taxpayer

77. Who can blame the AHF? They don't want anyone assuming this store is affiliated with their organization; they had every right to request the name change...especially, in light of this extra promo given by Palin. She really didn't care where those designer duds came from. She wasn't paying for them! Her "explanation" sounds a lot like someone who got their hands caught in the cookie jar.

Posted at 12:22PM on Oct 31st 2008 by Anon

78. That is so stupid for Out of the Closet to do. Palin wants a cure for aids as much or more than most American citizens. She does not support of the spread of the disease. She has a family member who is gay who she loves. She also gave gay partners rights to visit each other in Alaska hospitals. That is more than the state of Florida has done.

Posted at 8:32PM on Oct 31st 2008 by Jan

Previous 15 Comments