AIDS education the 'unique' way

Steven Foecking prepared for yesterday afternoon's drizzle by wearing his rubbers. Dressed as a five-foot prophylactic, the Wharton junior passed out condoms with a dozen other students as part of a peer-education group's theatrical efforts to heighten awareness about AIDS. "I wanted to make my mom proud of me," Foecking said of his costume, adding that his father had remained silent about it. Members of Facilitating Learning About Sexual Health, FLASH, passed out nearly 2000 condoms in four hours as part of Student Health's delayed recognition of World AIDS Day. The distribution kicks off a series of campus AIDS awareness events. While Student Health is planning an AIDS/HIV awareness week, Student Health coordinator Kate Webster said she wants to have awareness events during the entire year. Students who accepted condoms were asked to sign a Safer Sex pledge and received an "It takes more than Magic" pin. The members also distributed a "Safer Sex Menu" which they reprinted from the Boston Phoenix. The menu highlighted ways for sexual partners to engage in a wide assortment of sexual activities while reducing the risk of contracting the HIV virus. "People need a visible reminder that this could happen," Webster said. "[Students] do not need to stop having sex; they just need to practice safer sex." The menu included "lighter fare" such as putting non-petroleum based body oil on a sexual partner, "entrees" such as penetrative sex with condoms and mutual masturbation, and "desserts" such as shooting videos and Polaroids of a sexual partner. Webster added that students needed to realize that the heterosexual population is at risk of contracting the virus. College sophomore Nicole Jacoby passed out condoms wearing a dress, fake jewels and a "Condom Queen" pageant-style sash. In one hand, she held a scepter with a blown-up condom tied to its tip. She and other FLASH members said they heard no complaints about passing out the prophylactics. "Most [people] are embarassed," Jacoby said. "But more took them than I expected." College sophomore Jerry Dames said he thought passing out condoms "makes a lot of sense." "I was a little surprised, but I think its a good idea," Dames said. Condom-donning Foecking said his costume, sent to him by a "friend of a friend," was "pretty unique."

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