Nov 30 2002


Health chiefs pull safe-sex gimmick

Bob Dow



PARENTS yesterday forced a cover-up of a giant condom.

The 7ft contraceptive was due to go on show in a busy shopping area to promote a safe sex message for World AIDS Day.

But now health chiefs have been ordered to keep the massive condom indoors after parents complained to police.

They had hoped to display it for four hours today at the Market Cross in the Shetland capital, Lerwick.

But now it will be kept instead in the Shetland Youth Information Service's offices overlooking the Market Cross.

Posters will be on display in the windows, inviting those interested to come in for a look.

Manager Karen Smith admitted she was disappointed by the locals' attitude.

She said: "I expected it but I am still disappointed. However. we have to respond to peoples' sensitivities.

"It will still be used to promote World AIDS Day inside but we will have posters on the windows asking people to come inside and discuss it. It will still be talked about and it will still be an educational day."

The huge condom was specially made in London and shipped north by ferry to Shetland, where NHS Shetland this week unveiled a new mascot, a bird known as " Scarfie, the Safe Shag".

The giant condom was partly funded by a grant from the Health Education Board of Scotland and backed by local health promotion officials and Shetland Islands Council .

Chief Inspector Andy Walker, of Northern Constabulary, said: "The Market Cross is the busiest part of the town and on a Saturday afternoon it is mobbed.

"We knew about it but then we started getting phone calls from concerned members of the public, mainly parents who were seriously not impressed."

"I made the youth information service aware of the concerns and they came up with the solution to move it inside, which seemed like a good idea to me."

But one islander said: "What's wrong with these people? They are not listening to both sides of the argument, this is a serious subject.

"A chemist in Market Cross has condoms on display in his window and what is the difference with that?"

Earlier this week, the Record revealed how Scarfie, modelled on a native seabird, was being used to promote safe sex in Shetland.

One islander asked last night: "What are we going to see next? Scarfie and the giant condom behind bars?"

__________________

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