There is nothing quite like dressing up like a condom to draw attention to an issue. That is exactly what sociology seniors Brittany Guillory and Kelcie Clark did to help students celebrate National Condom Week. Guillory, Clark and other members of Voices for Planned Parenthood (Vox) handed out free condoms and information about Planned Parenthood on Thursday in Free Speech Alley, just in time for Valentine’s Day. “We are advocating for women’s rights,” Clark said. She said they want to encourage women to make healthy choices. “It’s about safety,” Guillory said. She said the group finds safety and awareness are not taught as much in schools as abstinence. To support their cause, Clark and Guillory both sported trash bags fashioned to resemble condoms. Guillory said they hoped that if they looked foolish, people would be less uncomfortable and insecure talking about safe sex and would begin to break down barriers. It appeared to work. The group, which began handing out condoms at 10:30 a.m., ran out by noon. “Happy Valentine’s Day to me,” said Sherry Bushong, agricultural business senior, after receiving her free condom. Gaston Major, industrial engineering senior, said he will definitely use his free condom. “I always use a condom,” he said. Clark said she thinks they made an impact on the students. She said they got the information out there and let students know that resources are available. “People don’t always know organizations like us exist,” Guillory said. The Planned Parenthood office in Baton Rouge donated the condoms. Clark said Vox is a campus organization that is all about women’s rights and their right to choose.
—-Contact Emmy Gill at [email protected]