DC News Clips

Chris Dyer: Last week we posted that Chris Dyer was appointed Director of LGBT Affairs for DC. There are two follow up articles to note, this article in metroweekly, and this one in the Washington Blade. Find out more about Chris Dyer here. Condom Controversy: Oh, the condom stories keep pouring in. There are related articles at DCist. The Washington Times inaccurately states that the DC condoms were wrapped in flimsy paper. This is simply not true. One has to wonder if anyone at the Washington Times even saw these condoms before they made that inaccurate claim. Google news asked for my take on the condom controversy which you can read here. Big Tigger: Big Tigger and his friends are rolling into town for the HIV/AIDS ride for life read more about it at allhiphop.com

Trojan Expected to Donate 350,000 Condoms to DC

The Washington Blade Reports that "Mayor Adrian Fenty is expected to announce within the next week that Washington will receive a donation of at least 350,000 condoms from the Princeton, N.J., corporation that produces the Trojan brand condom, according to sources familiar with the city government." read the entire story here.

DC Condom Controversy Continues

Yesterday's article on the DC Department of Health Condom Distribution program is spreading like wildfire thanks to an AP story that went around the country and numerous blog posts including: Big Head DC, POZ, and DCist. And as the story grows, the inaccuracies in the original article are being expanded on and continue to grow. Big Head DC uses the headling "DC Government Gives Out Condoms Wrapped in Paper". In reality, they are the same foil-style packages used by many condom manufacturers. The Consumerist uses the headline "Washington D.C. Gives Away Uncool, Defective Condoms". Again, not really true. The Post article suggests this, but doesn't offer any substantive evidence that the condoms are 'defective'. In reality, we have every reason to believe DC Condoms are effective in preventing HIV and no evidence has been presented to contradict this. Let's be clear ... The condoms are ugly and difficult to market. DC would have been much better off hiring an ad agency to create a cool condom like the now famous NYC condom. BUT we have every reason to believe DC Condoms are effective in preventing HIV and no evidence has been presented to contradict this. Further ... It's clear that the HIV AIDS Administration (HAA) is giving out misleading numbers about how many condoms have actually been distributed in the past eight months. The article in the post said 650,000. In reality, the number is much, much lower. Why? Because HAA is counting all the condoms they have given to local agencies, without regard to whether or not they have been handed out to actual people. Boxes and Boxes of these 'distributed' condoms are actually in storage at local organizations. BUT we have every reason to believe DC Condoms are effective in preventing HIV and no evidence has been presented to contradict this. And Finally ... It's clear that the Condom Distribution program is a monumental failure. I've said it before, I'll say it again. New York City launched their new condom campaign about the same time we launched ours. New York City manages to distribute between three and five million condoms each month, while HAA has been struggling to distribute one million condoms over eight months. Quite frankly, it's a joke. BUT we have every reason to believe DC Condoms are effective in preventing HIV and no evidence has been presented to contradict this. Still, the urban legend has taken on a life of it's own. The HIV/AIDS Administration would be smart to only by brand-name condoms for the forseeable future.

Thousands of Condoms Returned to Health Department

From Kaiser Daily: Tens of thousands of condoms that the Washington, D.C., Department of Health provided at no cost to residents have been returned because of concerns about the condoms' packaging and safety, the Washington Post reports (Levine, Washington Post, 9/5). District health officials in February distributed 250,000 condoms as part of the health department's efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The first batch of condoms went to several not-for-profit organizations and community health providers. The department said it aimed to distribute one million condoms by the end of 2007. The condoms' purple and yellow package is printed in English and Spanish and carries the slogan, "We've got you covered. Coming together to stop HIV in D.C." (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 2/16). According to the Post, concerns about the condoms "arose almost immediately" after the program began. Demand at two distribution sites established by not-for-profit organizations dropped by more than 80% shortly after the condoms were introduced. More than 2,000 packets were being distributed weekly in mid-March, but by late May, about 400 were being dispensed weekly, the Post reports. Volunteers said people complained about condom packets "ripping in purses or bursting open in pockets," and some recipients said they lacked confidence that the condoms would provide protection, according to the Post. In addition, the expiration dates on some of the condoms were illegible, the Post reports. Officials at about six organizations that had been distributing the condoms interviewed on Tuesday said they received negative feedback from clients. Many clients said that the condoms' packaging seemed substandard, according to the Post. "People were saying, 'These packets aren't any good,'" Franck DeRose -- executive director of the Condom Project, which was involved with the distribution program -- said. A coalition that includes the Condom Project returned about 100,000 condoms to the district, about 15% of what the city says has been distributed to groups. Metro TeenAIDS Executive Director Adam Tenner said some youths involved with the group "doubted the authenticity of the condoms" and wondered why the wrappers were not plastic or foil, like those sold in stores. "Distribution of those condoms has been really difficult," he said, adding, "The question becomes, how do we fix this?" DeRose said the not-for-profit groups tried to warn officials before sending back the condoms. "There was no talk about (getting) a different condom," he said, adding, "They said, 'This is what we have.'" The coalition, which launched a condom distribution program last fall, has begun purchasing its own condoms again. The coalition's condoms are being used up rapidly, according to the Post. The health department "apparently does not consider the situation a problem," according to the Post. Health department spokesperson Leila Abrar said in a statement, "To date, we have not received any substantive complaints." According to the statement, the district has distributed nearly 650,000 condoms since February through partnerships with 50 organizations. The health department has taken notice of the comments about the district condoms' packaging, the Post reports. According to Abrar's statement, the city will hold a "contest for new versions" of its next condom package (Washington Post, 9/5).

Between Promise & Performance: Condoms

Promise & Performance: Leadership | Condom Distribution | HIV Testing | X-Pres Condom Distribution Condom distribution is an essential service health departments provide, but for some time now, the DC Department of Health HIV/AIDS Administration (HAA) has fallen short. The Promise: On two separate occassions, HAA has pledged to distribute a million condoms. The first of these pledges was made by Marsha Martin at the Washington Times Citizens Forum on HIV/AIDS on October 14th, 2006. Then when Dr. Gregg Pane took over responsibility for HAA He repeated the plan to distribute condoms in an article in the Examiner. So they've been talking about this for about eight months. Surely, they've distributed a million condoms by now, right? After all the New York City Department launched a similar campaign around the same time, and they distribute anywhere from three to five million condoms each month The Performance: DC Department of Health has not come close to distributing a million condoms. But what is even worse than that, is that they are misrepresenting how many condoms have actually been distributed. When I hear the word 'distributed', I assume that this means condoms are available to folks who need them. When HAA uses the word 'distributed' they mean that boxes of condoms (and responsibility) has been passed on to other people. And that's exactly where we are. In February HAA 'distributed' the first 250,000 condoms, but the vast majority of these condoms are sitting in boxes in closets, and hallways, and basements, and will not be made available to anyone anytime soon. If you don't believe me I will gladly take a film crew to show you box after box of 'distributed' condoms sitting in less than optimal storage conditions. The biggest flaw with the HAA plan is that they gave 120,00 of these condoms to LifeGuard DC, an almost entirely volunteer effort. LifeGuard is a great group of volunteers, to be sure, I volunteered with them myself. But they were in no way equipped to handle this number of condoms. Up to this point, Lifeguard had successfully distributed around 8,000 condoms through two distributions points. HAA didn't ask Lifeguard to double their volunteer effort, or triple it even. HAA gave them fourteen-times that number of condoms (120,000) with no financial assistance and no additional support and conveniently handed off responsibility declaring these condoms had been 'distributed' to the community. Fast forward a few months later and it's no suprise that with no money and no support, the overworked and underappreciated LifeGuard volunteers haven't distributed anywhere near 120,000 condoms. Back in February, I wrote this post specifically to warn that relying too heavily on volunteers for this plan was a bad idea. Clearly, that was true. Lifeguard is not expected to continue distributing any condoms after August. The vast majority of these condoms are sitting in the basement of one of the volunteers. Still the message HAA is giving the mainstream press is very, very different. HAA told the Washington post that 250,00 Condoms had been deployed in February of 2007. HAA continued to give exaggerated numbers at the DC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Best Practices Coalition Meeting. We know better. You can see the breakdown of where the first 250,000 condoms were 'distributed' here. A second batch of condoms arrived at HAA in March, but it's not clear where those were 'distributed'. Bottom line, HAA has not reached this goal. To distribute a million condoms, HAA is going to need to come up with a plan that is more substantive that simply passing the buck to the Lifeguard volunteers. New York City Department of Health successfully distributes between three and five million condoms each and every month through an effective network of hundreds of distribution points. Compare that to DC. Lifeguard has two distribution points. If you look at all the agencies that received condoms, HAA had maybe 20 distribution points total for this effort. Distributing a million condoms in DC is a realistic and achievable goal. It is crucial to our efforts to prevent HIV in DC. But it is a goal that HAA has not yet met.

CVS Observation Volunteers Needed

Dear fellow public health professionals, advocates and friends: As graduate public health students, we are in the process of completing our special project, which is to persuade CVS/Pharmacy to adopt a national written policy to make condoms freely accessible. Our long-term goal is to reduce the rate of HIV/AIDS, STDs, and unintended pregnancy, especially in Washington DC—the city with the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the country. Please help us to continue our important fact finding mission when you visit any CVS store in the country (through June 30, 2007) by recording your observations to the following questions and forwarding them to us at s_lives@hotmail.com Save Lives: Free the Condoms. * What is the CVS store address (or nearest cross street) and store number? This information is located on or directly above the front door. * Is the large condom display locked? * If condoms are locked, does the store have a small, unlocked condom display? * Is the small condom display well stocked? * Does the small condom display contain a variety of brands? Thank you in advance for your time and effort. Your feedback is important to the success of our project. Sincerely, Save Lives: Free the Condoms Shumaya Ali Suja Shunmugavelu Sophia Vourthis Carolyn Watson

Condom Art Day at George Washington University

Join the Save Lives: Free the Condoms Coalition for Condom Art Day! How creative can you get with condoms? Come find out on May 11, 2007 from 3pm-6pm at the Foggy Bottom Metro We look forward to seeing you there!!! Please email sshunmugavelu@gmail.com with any questions CondomArtDayFlier.doc

Volunters Needed for CVS Action on Saturday

What: CVS Follow-up Survey When: Saturday, April 21, 2007, 10:00 am - 12:00 noon Where: Meet in front of Ross Hall (GW/Foggy Bottom Metro) The Save Lives: Free the Condoms Coalition is looking for volunteers for a one-time event. We need your help with conducting on-site surveys of CVS stores in Washington, DC. Coffee, juice and donuts will be served before the event. Return to Ross Hall with your completed survey and join us for pizza and soda. The Coalition is conducting follow-up site visits of CVS stores to determine if CVS officials have kept their agreement to display an assortment of three- and six-pack condoms on "power wing" devices (small displays) and to keep the power wings regularly stocked. If you are interested in donating a couple of hours of your time for a worthy cause, please contact Suja Shunmagevelu at sshunmugavelu@gmail.com or Carolyn Watson at cwats802@gwu.edu for more information and to receive your CVS store assignment. We greatly appreciate your assistance! For more information about the Save Lives: Free the Condoms Coalition, go to http://studentorgs.gwu.edu/phsa/savelives/

Best Practices Coalition Meeting on Condom Distribution

On April 26, 2007, DC Campaign will host a Best Practices Coalition Meeting on condom distribution in Washington DC. The meeting will be a fantastic opportunity for members of the youth-serving community in DC to connect and particpate with the DC HIV/AIDS Administation's (HAA) goal of distributing one million condoms in the District. Nestor Rocha, Interim Deputy Bureau Cheif for Prevention at HAA, will give an overview of the city's plan to distribute one million condoms this year. Joining him will be a panel of experts including a health educator, street outreach worker, and physician to discuss sexually transmitted infections among DC adolescents, effectiveness of condoms, best practices in heath education and making condoms more widely available throughout the city. Space is limited to the first 50 registrants. To RSVP click here I hope the discussion includes a look at the success New York City has experienced. DC and New York City launched their campaigns at approximately the same time. Since then, New York City has distributed 5 million condoms in just one month, while DC is struggling to distribute the first 250,000 condoms. Yes, DC has given 250,000 condoms to local organizations, but most of them are still being stored in boxes. The bulk of those condoms (120,000) has gone to Life Guard DC, an all-volunteer effort. Life Guard DC is a tremendous volunteer group, and I've personally helped prepare the Lifeguard packets. But Lifeguard only has TWO distribution ports in the city. All in all, there are about 20 distribution points in DC for this push, as compared to New York City, which literally has hundreds of distribution points all across the city. At the current rate of distribution, DC is quite unlikely to reach it's goal of distributing a million condoms. And we need to think outside the box. Brazil plans to install free condom vending machines in their schools. Shanghai has installed 200 'smart' free condom distribution machines. Personally, I'd like to see free condom vending machines at every high school and every metro stop in the city. That would definitely be a best practice.

Taking it to the Streets

Check out this great video about Life Guard DC

How You Can Help Life Guard

The LIFE GUARD program is looking for volunteers to help get the word out that free condoms are available in Washington, D.C. LIFE GUARD is looking for volunteers to: 1) Help attach condoms onto LIFE GUARD promotional post cards this Wednesday, February 21 from 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. at 1919 16th St NW (Corner of Caroline & 16th Streets, the entrance is on Caroline St.) 2) Pass out postcards and condoms on the Metro this Thursday, between 6 - 11:00 a.m. Anyone who is interested in volunteering for one or both of these options should contact Tim Sevilla, Volunteer Coordinator for The Condom Project at 201-803-6643 e-mail cesarsevilla[a]gmail.com. LIFE GUARD empowers communities to create non-traditional and comprehensive condom distribution systems that rely on the involvement of peer-to-peer social networks, local businesses, and community-based organization outreach services. The program aims to make condoms accessible by providing free condoms in overlooked communities, 24 hours a day. Currently, the program makes condoms accessible at two locations, providing free condoms 24 hours a day. We have distributed over 3,500 LIFE GUARD packs (7000 condoms) since the program launched on 11/28/2006. www.lifeguarddc.org.

HAA Condom Distribution Plan Relies Heavily on Volunteers

The city of DC began to make good on it's goal of distributing a million condoms in the District of Columbia on Friday. The Washington Post reports that 250,000 have been 'deployed' across the city. But what exactly does 'deployment' mean? Well, almost half of these condoms, 120,000 to be exact, went to Lifeguard DC, an entirely volunteer effort to distribute condoms where they are needed across the city. This number of condoms is approximately seventeen times the total number of condoms LifeGuard DC has given away since the organization came into existence. I greatly admire the hardwork of Lifeguard DC, but I can't help but wonder if this volunteer effort will be able to distribute all these condoms before they expire. And while I applaud the DOH moving forward on this initiative, but I'm suprised to see a well funded city agency relying on a small group of volunteers to do the bulk of the work. Where did the other condoms go? District agencies including the HIV/AIDS Administration, have 27,300. And the rest are were given to local HIV/AIDS and commnity health organizations: * 25,000 to Whiltman Walker Clinic * 11,000 to the Community Education Group * 11,000 to Us Helping Us * 10,000 to Unity Health Care * 8,000 to Georgetown Kids Mobile Unit * 8,000 to Sasha Bruce Youthwork * 6,000 to Family Connection/Children's Hospital * 5,000 to DOH Addiction Prevention & Recovery Administration * 3,500 to Howard University Student Health Services * 3,000 to Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive * 2,500 to Family & Medical Counseling * 2,000 to Efforts (ex-cons outreach) * 2,000 to Metro Teen AIDS * 1,500 to Abundant Life * 1,500 to Different Avenues * 1,500 to So Others Might Eat (SOME) * 1,000 to Our Place * 200 to Rock Creek Academy It's a good start. What matters most, however, is geting the condoms in the hands of the folks who need them.

Condom Week Part 5: Say it with a Condom

The condom graphics I made this week were all generated using a very cool and completely free graphic design tool from Advocates for Youth. The organization is sponsoring their 'Respect Yourself. Protect Yourself. Condom Campaign'. Students can quickly download the free software and come up with their own unique condom designs to enter in the competition. Need some inspiration? Check out these condom postcards that have already been submitted.

Condom Week Part 4: Be a Condom Safe Site!

From the Great American Condom Campaign: We have heard just about every excuse in the book as to why people will not get condoms. Some steeped in genuine logistical barriers such as stores that are closed - or too far away - for when ‘the moment comes,' and others that are influenced by highly stigmatized social perceptions. Let's face it, buying condoms isn't as easy as buying a candy bar. Interestingly, although it should not come as much of a surprise, condoms are often the most stolen items in retail - forcing many stores to simply keep them locked up or behind the sales counter; adding another complex perceived barrier for individuals to deal with should they want to buy condoms. SafeSites is a new method of condom distribution relying on peer-to-peer networking technology and direct social-access points. Here's how Safesites works: 1. Individuals and/or Organizations register to become a Safesite. 2. Once officially registered, 100 ONE brand condoms in our special packaging are delivered to the individual on a monthly basis. 3. Upon receipt of condoms, the SafeSite decal is put on their door, in plain public view. It is then up to the individual to determine what is the best distribution strategy for their unique community. That's it. That's all you have to do. Register to be a safe site now!.

Condom Week Part 3: AHPP Distributes Condoms Online

The Administration for HIV Policy & Programs (AHPP) is moving closer to it's goal of distributing a million condoms in the District of Columbia. AHPP has launched an online condom distribution program. Their website states:This program is intended to promote, facilitate and simplify the way that condoms are distributed.Any organization can request condoms through this program. Once the online form is completed, arrangements will be made for a representative from your organization to pick up the condoms for distribution. It's a good start, but it's not really what I expected when AHPP announced the plan back in October. For starters, they are not really distributing the condoms, but rather they are making them available for organizations to pick up. Also, since this effort relies on local organizations to do the distribution, it's quite possible there are some parts of town that will have condoms available, and other parts of town that won't. Finally, the website says 'any organization' but doesn't make it clear whether or not businesses like restaurants, clubs, and bars can also request condoms to make available to their patrons. We'll see how this program develops. In the meantime, if you work for a local organization, make sure to Order condoms at the AHPP website today.

Condom Week Part 2: CVS Revises Condom Policy

Trey Watkins is modest. The second-year, gay grad student at George Washington University's School of Public Health is quick to point out that he's not solely responsible for pushing CVS/pharmacy to modify its policy of locking condoms in cabinets or behind the counter in almost half of its stores in Washington's lower-income neighborhoods to avoid theft. "We looked at this and said it's obviously an issue," Watkins says. "Condoms are continuously being locked up and are not ... readily available, and people have to ask for them. Rather than ask [for them because] of embarrassment, they are going home and having unprotected sex." continue reading this article at Metroweekly

Condom Week Part 1: The BHT Condom Collective

The Brother Help Thyself Condom Cooperative has the ability to make bulk purchases of condoms and other at volume discount rates which individual non-profits and businesses usually cannot negotiate. Current members of the Cooperative include HIV/AIDS Education and Service Providers, bars, and adult-oriented businesses in the metro Baltimore / Washington DC area. The BHT Condom Cooperative offers condoms, lube, and HIV educational materials. The goal of the program is to make it economically viable for all businesses to express their care for their customers by distributing condoms free of cost. Behavioral studies definitely conclude that people are more likely to engage in safe sex behavior when condoms and lubricate are easily available at businesses where people meet their sexual partners. For more information, visit http://www.brotherhelpthyself.com/content/view/32/39/.