Responding to New Pope's Hard-Line Ban on Condoms, Condomania(R) Donates 30,000 'Madonna' Condoms

Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center and New York's Gay Men's Health Crisis to Provide Free Madonna Condoms With Each HIV Test

LOS ANGELES, April 27 /PRNewswire/ — Condomania (http://secure.condomania.com), America's first condom store, will provide 30,000 "Madonna" condoms to Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center (LAGLC) and Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York (GMHC) for distribution with each HIV test. The donated condoms, featuring the licensed image of pop icon Madonna, serve as Condomania's response to the new Pope's stance forbidding condom use to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Vatican health secretary Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan recently stated, "The use of prophylactics is unacceptable even as a solution to the problem of AIDS, because the objective is the fight against fornication."

Condomania CEO Adam Glickman explains, "Nearly 40 million people worldwide are infected with HIV — nearly 250,000 Americans don't even know they're infected. The Pope's unwavering opposition to condoms can only worsen this pandemic." Glickman continues, "Condom use and testing are critical to curbing the spread of HIV. While our selection of "Madonna" condoms is admittedly irreverent, the reality of the situation is quite tragic. If this encourages even one person to get tested and use condoms, then we've helped."

The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center is the largest gay and lesbian organization in the world offering a wide array of services for the GLBT community, in addition to free and anonymous HIV testing for anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. Upon hearing the news of Condomania's donation, the Center's Chief Public Affairs Officer Jim Key stated, "We're grateful for Condomania's support and for calling attention to the Catholic Church's stance on condom use. AIDS is ravaging the world and by opposing the use of condoms, the Pope is contributing to the spread of this deadly plague. We all can, and must, protect ourselves."

Gay Men's Health Crisis is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. In fulfilling this mission, GMHC will remain true to its heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians. "Condoms have been universally proven to provide the best protection against HIV and other STIs. Using a condom, along with knowing one's HIV status, are key elements to stopping the transmission of HIV, thus saving lives. We're glad Condomania has taken such a lead on making condoms widely available," said George Ayala, Director of the Institute for Gay Men's Health, a collaboration between GMHC and AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA).

About Condomania®

Condomania (http://secure.condomania.com), America's first condom store, was established June 1991. Today, Condomania's flagship store in New York and its website assist and educate shoppers of every age, gender and sexual orientation in purchasing condoms and safer-sex products, making safer sex fun, hip and accessible. Condomania is the home of TheyFit(TM) Condoms, the world's first sized-to-fit condoms in 55 sizes.

Kevin Segall
323-969-0102 x203 Kevin@condomania.com

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