As any hapless nerd in a teen sex comedy would tell you, the mere possession of a condom doesn’t necessarily guarantee that you’re gonna get laid. Unfortunately, New York City police seem to think otherwise, as they’re known to confiscate condoms as evidence of prostitution. Sex-worker advocacy program Red Umbrella Project says this is super ironic considering how easy it is to access free condoms in New York: “In a state with a major free condom program and in a city with the only municipally-branded condom in the world, it is shameful that the Department of Health gives away condoms only for the New York Police Department to confiscate them from people.”
There’s a currently a bill in the works that could make this illegal, so Red Umbrella Project has started a campaign to help it pass. They’re encouraging people to talk about Bill S1379/A2736, whether they’re contacting their representatives or just bringing it up in conversation. Red Umbrella Project has gorgeous postcards for New Yorkers to send to government officials (one pictured above) and next month they’re meeting with legislators at the state capitol, but those are just a couple of ways to get involved. Learn more about S1379/A2736 at the campaign site and check out the rest of the postcards below:
Images via The Red Umbrella Project