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Sometimes sexism is defended on the basis that it gets attention, that is, it attracts (or can attract) publicity and comment and is thus justified in attracting attention to a good enough cause. The attention desired might be criticism of the sexism, or it might be tapping into sexualised attention to women or contempt of women to 'sell' a message (for example, using women's sexualised bodies to convey an unrelated political message).

Some activist groups, for example, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are known for use of this tactic outside geek circles.

This excuse ignores the overall social justice cause of exposing, questioning and ending all oppressions, and being allied in working against different oppressions. This excuse is often used in combination with Just a joke and Women weren't the intended audience.