By Emily Rogers, a member of the SWARM Youth Council and student at the College of Charleston

My liberal (arts) college allows us to distribute condoms out in the open in the center of campus or anywhere really. But, there’s finesse to how to do give them away. In a school of 10,000 undergraduates you’d think they’d get picked up by the handful regardless of the situation. But I’ve learned it’s not always so easy.  Why don’t some college students take FREE condoms!?

Shame. Embarrassment. Apathy. Misinformation. All of the above?

I’ve gone out a few times to hand condoms out somewhere where I’ve set up a table.  I’ve even dressed up and in costumes to make people less weary.  But some students walk past me without making eye contact.  I’ve been told: “my girlfriend is on the pill, so we don’t have to worry,” and some tell me their boyfriends take care of that.

My response to those students and all young people…. there is no shame in safe sex, it never hurts to be doubly careful, and ladies take your health in your own hands! Carry condoms– especially if they’re free.

But a little advice I do have is to be bold while handing condoms out.  The night I wore a kitty costume was a pretty big success.  The other time when I went to the Colbert Rally (Yeah, that was here.) I got a complete stranger to hold a huge foam board with the phrase “FREE CONDOMS” on one side and “SC NEEDS REAL SEX-ED” on the other.  People flocked to me.  I gave out 500+ condoms in just a matter of an hour or two.  Ha. As the band walked by about half of them came over and snagged a couple.

So, it’s good to have them readily available in your living space where your guests can just take one or two, but if you make it a “BIG TO-DO,” it’ll take on a life of its own.  You’ll be out of stock before you can say: “Great American Condom Campaign!!!”

The film begins in Denmark, where Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) convinces her friend Baron Bror von Blixan (Klaus Maria Brandauer) to enter into a marriage of convenience, and the pair moves to Kenya to begin work on their coffee plantation.

Early into their marriage, Karen discovers Bror’s marital infidelities by contracting syphilis. She returns to Denmark for a treatment of arsenic, but ultimately becomes sterile because of the seriousness of the infection. She returns to Africa and begins a passionate affair with Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford), a local big-game hunter.

Out of Africa received 28 awards including 7 Oscars and was ranked #13 on the America Film Institute’s list “100 Years 100 Passions.” The film is loosely based off of Karen Blixen’s book (written under the pseudonym Isak Dinesen.)

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that has a tremendous impact on the real-life Karen Blixen. Her father committed suicide, apparently because he was diagnosed with syphilis. When Karen contracts the infection herself, she is forced to leave Africa for intense treatment which included mercury and arsenic – the standard treatments for syphilis at that time. There are reports that Karen suffered from mercury poisoning, and that the syphilis degenerated her nervous system throughout her life.

Syphilis rates are on the rise in the United States. Unprotected sex by an infected person make the transmission of HIV two to five times more likely. South Carolina ranks 26th out of 50 states for Syphilis rates. STI rates are highest in South Carolina’s poorest and most rural counties, where access to reproductive health services are minimal or nonexistent.

April is Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Month. Most STDs are treatable, if not curable, if caught early. Get yourself tested and (if needed) treated – then rent Out of Africa and settle in for a great film.

Download the application here

This event will bring together people from across the state to celebrate the power of women. According to Unitewomen.org, this is the first time in American history that a simultaneous rally will be happenings in all 50 states!

Join us on Saturday, April 28th, from 11am-1pm at the South Carolina Statehouse

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION HERE

Council Goals:

1. 1. Raise awareness among South Carolina youth about the need for STI and pregnancy prevention efforts for themselves and other young people.
2. 2. Advocate improving sex education policies that effect students in South Carolina and other policy priorities.
3. 3. Empower other youth to get involved in their communities.
4.   

What can YOU expect?

• • $100 per month stipend
• • Meet, work with, and learn from amazing young leaders across the state and country
• • Gain information and skills that you will be able to capitalize on throughout your academic and future careers.
• • Collaborate and make connections with Tell Them and Advocates for Youth staff who care about these issues as much as you do.
• • Share your experience and perspective.
• • Hard work, excitement, and fun… all while making a difference!
• • The opportunity to travel, and attend trainings across the state and country
•   

Who can Apply?

Anyone meeting the following qualifications is encouraged to apply for S.W.A.R.M.

1. 1. Be currently enrolled in a South Carolina college and between the ages of 18-24.
2. 2. Be able to commit to the S.W.A.R.M. Council for a minimum of one school year.
3. 3. Participate in bi-monthly conference calls
4. 4. Complete presentations, events, and write personalized blogs
5. 5. Participate in activities to continue building a strong base of advocates in the community and on campus.
6.   

Interested?

Please contact us with any questions. Then fill out the application and email, fax, or mail the application back to Tell Them by May 10, 2012. We will conduct interviews for selected candidates. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Email: tallen@newmorningfoundation.org
Phone: (803) 929-0088       
Fax: (803) 929-0089

Project Condom Upstate year one is complete! Everyone did a fantastic job! 

There’s quite the Buzz on Twitter and Facebook about the models. Each group surprised the entire audience with their truly wonderful creations. The diversity of the contestants ranged from teenagers to stay-at-home moms with teenagers of their own. 

DJ T.O. (@DJ_TO) rocked the beats for the show and one of the SWARM volunteers controlled our massive light construction. We had a tremendous partner in One Condoms, who donated all the condoms for the dresses. And, we had five fabulous judges: Ryan Wilson from the South Carolina Campaign to Prevent Pregnancy, Dr. Melisa Holms, MD – Obstetrician and Gynecologist and author of Girlology, Greg Campbell: Executive Director of AID Upstate, India Walters of Contraceptive Access Campaign, and Meghan Rapp of Advocates for Youth. There isn’t much more I could have asked for.

Check out the pictures from the night and let us know who you think was “Best Dressed for Sexual Health Success”!

Maria Jackson is a Senior at the College of Charleston and has served on South Carolina’s Youth Council for Policy Change (S.W.A.R.M.) for 2 years.

While it sounds like it should be a cake walk, giving away 500 condoms a semester is not so easy! When approached, many people just laugh squeamishly, shake their head, and walk away. So what goes into a successful condom giveaway campaign? Here are a few of my thoughts:

1. 1. ALWAYS pair it with something else everyone wants. The perfect example? Candy. “Free condoms and candy!” gets many more responses than “Free condoms!” alone. People can discreetly grab a few condoms while they go in for the Kit Kat.
2. 2. During an event where people are sitting in different areas, say in an auditorium or at a restaurant, put a condom on every seat or several at a table. People are much more likely to take the condoms that are close to them and they don’t have to seek out.
3. 3. If you are a part of the LGBTQ community like I am, make sure you point out that condoms can be cut and used as a dental dam! Making sure everyone knows that they are included and loved as they are is so important.
4. 4. Variety, variety, variety! People love the Great American Condom Campaign condoms because there are so many options! You will always have the male who seeks out only Magnums, but I have heard many females say “oh, cool! I only like the orange ones!” They also love the condoms because they are Trojan, a brand they know and trust.

I would guess that every condom fairy has their tricks, but these are mine! Helping people stay protected has to be one of the coolest jobs ever.

I am not going to lie. I used to be afraid of condoms. Terrified may be a better word. I should probably clarify that last statement though. I was not actually afraid of condoms or being around condoms, I was afraid of what people would think if they saw me with condoms. How would people react? What would they think?

It was only later that I realized something, why did I care what they thought? It was my choice to protect myself. It was my choice to buy condoms. I should not care what the pharmacist thought, or the other people in line, or even my parents or my roommate thought. I should not be afraid of condoms. I should not seek to hide that I own condoms. It is my choice.

The fact that I have access to them and can easily get them is something more than others individuals have. The fact that I have overcame by fear of condoms and contraceptive is also something more than others have. I have learned however something interesting throughout my last year of reproductive right involvement: PEOPLE WANT CONDOMS! They want access to condoms. They want the option to get condoms without the social stigma we have attached with condoms. How do I know this? Due to the fact over the last 9 months, I have given away about 1,000 condoms, supported through the Great American Condom Campaign. I have no doubt I could have given away even more of these condoms if I had access to them! People are more than excited to have condoms and take condoms if they are provided to them. Whether it is during a class presentation, an organization meeting, or even a tabling event people take condoms. They are excited to have the option to take them in what they view is a safe environment. To have access to them without the social stigma attached to go and get them themselves. I have even had friends call and text me to ask me if I have any condoms and if they could come and get them. Now, while I may be open about anything and everything many of my friends are not. To have them know that they can get access to condoms is not only a relief to me but also I assume to them.

Getting anything for free is nice, so getting condoms for free is of course nice as well. I believe that it is more than getting some for free though that drives so many people to take condoms. The social stigma attached to buy condoms and other forms of contraceptive in social settings. As recent comments by individuals with a media presence have shown there are a variety of negative stigmas that are attempted to be associated with individuals who use contraceptive. It is not just enough for us to give out contraceptive or to have contraceptive in stores. We must seek to remove the negative social stigma attached with buying it. We must seek to make everyone feel comfortable buying. To make buying condoms and other forms of contraceptive buy making it like buying milk. It needs to be treated as something that is not hidden behind walls and curtains and in the back of stores, but something that is openly discussed and treated without negative stigma.

This is of course something that will not easily be done. It is something that will require time and something will require us as a culture to rethink the way we discuss contraceptives and contraceptive use. This is something that we as a S.W.A.R.M. at USC are happy to see students be actively involved in and actively support. As we change the hearts and mind of the youth of our nation the culture will shift with it. We must however continue to fight and continue to actively promote the right of the individual to choose. To not alienate the individuals who choose to use birth control and not allow contraceptive use to be viewed as something that you should be ashamed of.

One fourth of the annual HIV and AIDS cases in the state occur in women and girls.  Although women do not account for the largest portion of HIV/AIDS diagnoses, it is important to recognize that the majority of women being diagnosed are acquiring HIV through heterosexual contact.  It is essential that men and women, old and young, protect themselves and discuss methods of prevention with their partner.   We must make sure that people feel empowered and have the resources to make healthy decisions. 

At Tell Them, we want constituents to know that they can have a voice in supporting policies that promote their wellbeing and defeating those that cause harm.  Support local and national policies that increase access to testing and treatment services.  In light of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, I challenge you to get tested and engage in conversation about HIV with your sister, mother, friend, or family.  HIV/AIDS is preventable and treatable and we must continue to support efforts at reducing the burden of disease for those with and without a positive status.

National Women and Girls’ HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is here!  And while you’re rocking your red pumps, I want you to think beyond the statistics and beyond getting tested- let’s think about digging deep into the root of the HIV epidemic.  Let’s put the spotlight on prevention for young women that WORKS.  Let’s put the spotlight on sex ed.

Every two years in SC, there is a survey put out by the CDC that asks middle and high school students to report their behavior.  It’s called the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), and it’s mostly used by public health professionals to gauge trends in the risky behaviors that young people engage in.  The survey asks questions about things like alcohol and other drug use, violence and bullying, exercise and eating habits, and sexual activity.  Disturbingly, the most recent YRBS conducted in South Carolina showed that almost 20% of high school students reported never having received HIV/AIDS prevention instruction in school, a significant and concerning drop from the 2009 YRBS report.  That’s one in five South Carolina high school students that haven’t received the full health education programming that is required by law (via The Comprehensive Health Education Act).  And that’s one in five students who is more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS because they haven’t received medically-accurate instruction in school about how to protect themselves from sexually-transmitted diseases like HIV.

Teens need to learn to take control of their sexual health before they’re sexually active.  Multiple studies have confirmed that a comprehensive approach (that includes abstinence AND information about contraception) to sex education is associated with healthier sexual behaviors than is an abstinence-only approach. (In fact, this new study from Guttmacher confirms this once again.) 

Those healthier sexual behaviors include waiting until a later age to have sex, and using a condom correctly and consistency.  If we could promote abstinence and safe sex (that’s not a contradiction- we CAN promote both, simultaneously!) we could reduce the number of young girls infected with HIV in South Carolina and across the U.S.

Prevention programming that will actually affect the lives of women and girls must include comprehensive sex education that teaches young people how to prevent HIV transmission.  If we miss this opportunity, we will fail our young people now and for generations to come.

So on March 10th, let’s get down to the root of the problem.  Let’s advocate for South Carolina legislators and opinion leaders to fund and support sex education that is medically accurate and age-appropriate.  The young women and girls of our state deserve to have a chance to learn how to protect themselves.