Education | Why We Give Out Condoms

Because it sends the right message: Loving carefully is a moral responsibility.

We affirm responsible sexual health and behavior because:

• We believe it sends the right message.
• We affirm abstinence and acknowledge people also have choices.
• Safer sexual behavior is a matter of life and death.
• When people choose to engage in sex, we affirm safer sexual behavior.

The practice of safer sex behavior is a matter of life and death. By making condoms available we are saying we have "chosen life, so that we and our children may live."

• We affirm that sexual health education should be age, developmentally and situationally appropriate.
• Human beings are sexual beings. Sex is a gift to be shared with love and responsibility. In a world with HIV/AIDS, safer sex is a more loving and responsible choice - towards oneself and one's partners - than unprotected sex.
• People must have accurate safer sex information and access to the means of protection.
• Condom availability does not "promote" sexual activity, but is an important part of sex education that promotes honesty in sexual relationships and acknowledges that people do have choices about their sexual behavior. Information is critical to being able to make responsible, informed decisions.
• Abstinence and monogamy are affirmed as behaviors individuals may choose. No matter the age or sexual experience of the person choosing it, abstinence is always a viable choice. When people make other choices, we affirm safer sexual behavior in order to save lives.
• Condom availability does not undermine abstinence or monogamy as behavioral choices. It does not undermine effective HIV/Hep C infection prevention.
• Young people should be able to get their sex education from their family and/or their church/religious faith. The fact is that most young people learn about sex from their peers, who are often ill-informed and confused themselves. Many adults feel uncomfortable talking about sex. Many pastors feel ill-equipped to discuss sex openly. Many young people have no adult role models who will engage them in informed discussion about sexual behavior and choices.
• Condoms are educational tools. Their presence in our educational displays provides opportunities to open conversations that can save lives. It encourages questions and up-to-date information. Condoms are a sign that we take sexuality seriously as a part of human life and that we endorse all options for preventing HIV/Hep C and other sexually transmitted infections.