Governor G.Herbert stops condom distribution, does not approve sexual innuendo

[Jim Allen]

 

Lewd or Clever? Governor Nixes These Utah-Themed Condoms
POZ.com write up in full:  https://www.poz.com/article/lewd-clever-governor-nixes-utahthemed-condoms-video

In short:

The governor of Utah halted the distribution of condoms branded with icons and phrases of that state, reports CBS-affiliated KUTV. The move caught the eye of AIDS activists, who are now urging the public to support the HIV prevention campaign.

The controversy started on Monday when the state health department launched its new “The H is for Human” campaign to raise awareness about HIV.

Instagram/@matrixgj17 via the Utah Department of Health

They’re clever, right? But are they appropriate? Not according to Governor Gary Herbert, who ordered an end to the condom distribution just two days after the launch. A statement from his office clarified:

“The Governor understands the importance of the Utah Department of Health conducting a campaign to educate Utahns about HIV prevention. He does not, however, approve the use of sexual innuendo as part of a taxpayer-funded campaign, and our office has asked the department to rework the campaign’s branding.”

Not everyone agrees with the decision to stop the condom distribution. Activists with the Prevention Access Campaign, known in the HIV community for spearheading the Undetectable Equals Untransmittable (U=U) campaign, urge fellow advocates to support the Utah condom campaign by calling the governor’s office (800-705-2464) or taking to social media using #HIVandMe #UAF and #UTDOH, @GovHerbert and @UtahDepOfHealth.

Michael Sanders, an activist with the Utah AIDS Foundation, believed the condom packaging would catch people’s attention and raise awareness for the HIV campaign and its related website, HIVandMe.com.

“We needed to have something that was provocative, yet thought-provoking and fun,” Sanders told KUTV. He also pointed out that the campaign is funded by federal grant money, not state money.