For Immediate Release:
10 May 2007
Let’s Get Busy and Start DC
Talking about Condoms
Washington, DC -May 10, 2006 -
Save
Lives: Free the Condoms Coalition (Save Lives) will hold ’A Condom Access Day’ on Friday, May 11, 2006, as a way to
de-stigmatize the use of condoms in Washington DC. The event will take place outside of the
Foggy Bottom metro station from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00
p.m.
Save Lives will distribute free
condoms, mostly donated from the Department of Health, to interested members of
the crowd who will engage in crafting their condoms into works of art as a way
to create dialogue among about access to condom and HIV/AIDS prevention. The Coalition is hopeful that as participants
leave the event with their crafted piece of art, they would understand the
importance of condom access especially in DC with nation’s highest HIV/AIDS
transmission rates.
Condoms are a proven method of
preventing unintended pregnancies, STDs and
HIV/AIDS transmission; however, access to condoms for remains a
challenge for segments of society, which can discourage use and, thereby,
contribute to increase rates of sexually transmission diseases.
According to a report by DC Appleseed, a non-profit
organization that works to solve the public policy problems in Washington,
DC, “Removing barriers to condoms and
increasing use of condoms among those that are sexually active must become a
top priority.” DC Appleseed estimates that as many as 1 in 20 DC residents may
be HIV positive.
Save Lives: Free the Condoms
Coalition is a non-profit grass roots organization under the auspices of The
Student Public Health Association at The George Washington University School of
Public Health and Health Services. The Coalition fights to improve condom
access for everyone.
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