WA safe sex campaign hit

WA safe sex campaign hit

By Leon Harrison

PERTH — The safe sex campaign launched by state health minister Keith Wilson has been condemned by ACT UP Perth, the Family Planning Association, the Uniting Church and the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations.

The "It's OK to say no" campaign is based on promoting abstinence among 16 to 25 year olds to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

ACT UP said that the campaign "provides little helpful and practical information, and if anything it discourages the use of condoms and promotes the fear and embarrassment associated with STDs. This is a major step backwards in the education, treatment and prevention of these diseases."

Mounting anger over Wilson's moralistic campaign might force his resignation and the beginning of a more practical safe sex campaign.

From GLW issue 42