Stop Using Condoms as Grounds for Arrest in New York

by Alex DiBranco · 2010-05-07 12:39:00 UTC
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"If you're not prostituting yourself, you don't need condoms," a New York City police officer said to a woman as he confiscated her rubbers, according to a survey by the Urban Justice Center. Say what? I don't know about you, but I can think of reasons other than sex work why a woman might need condoms.

The use of condoms as evidence of prostitution seems downright laughable when you consider that New York City has been spending millions of dollars to pass out condoms for free since 1971. The Big Apple, like many major cities, has big problems with HIV/AIDS, so "free condoms for all!" was created to combat the deadly epidemic. Unfortunately, things get a lot less chuckle-worthy when you realize that the virtual criminalization of condoms and confiscation by police officers deters sex workers from using protection, and contributes to the spread of fatal sexually transmitted diseases.

A bill currently in the New York State Legislature would prohibit using "possession of a condom" as evidence of illegal sex work. The Urban Justice Center's Sex Workers Project strongly supports this bill as a valuable public health measure, and the legislation also enjoys the support of a number of advocacy groups, including The Anti-Violence Project, Center for Constitutional Rights, Housing Works, The LGBT Community Center, NYC AIDS Housing Network, and NY Civil Liberties Union.

Safe sex saves lives. Tell New York legislators to protect public health by signing this petition from the Urban Justice Institute.

Photo credit: victoriapeckham

Alex DiBranco is a Change.org Editor who has worked for the Nation, Political Research Associates, and the Center for American Progress. She is now based in New York City.

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