Recap: 'Dress for Action' Condom Fashion Show

Community Healthcare Network (CHN) and ONE� Condoms partnered to host "Dress for Action: Transforming HIV/AIDS Prevention in Brooklyn" on December 1, 2017, at Brooklyn Commons. The networking and education event included a condom fashion show featuring local artists, performers, and designers. Community members were invited to honor World AIDS Day in this creative way while educating people about HIV and sexual health.

"A huge component of our mission to provide New Yorkers with quality healthcare is empowering them with the tools they need to make fully informed and sound decisions about their sexual health," says Freddy Molano, Vice President of Infectious Diseases and LGBTQ Services. "Events like the ONE Condoms Fashion Show provide us an opportunity to bring sexual education into the communities we serve and to start a conversation with populations we may not always be able to reach in our centers."

The event was an extension of the "Project Condom" program, through which ONE Condoms partners with health organizations and student groups across the country to host condom fashion shows.

"Community Healthcare Network and the artists did an incredible job sparking conversations about condoms through several creative costumes and performances," said Milla Impola, Marketing Manager at ONE� Condoms. "Our mission is to end stigma and help reduce the rate of HIV and sexually transmitted infections by making conversations about condoms engaging and colorful."

Designer Shelton Lindsay, who created three garments called "HAUTE GLU" for the show, said events like these "help us de-stigmatize condom use by making them fun and accessible." His three garments were worn by Krys Fox, Kathryn Kuhn, and himself. "Using condoms in such an absurdist fashion allows us to break down barriers by creating an event that invites conversation," said Lindsay.

Singer and artist Queen of Love and Hope wore a design created by Jennifer Taves of Costumegasm. Part of the performance was a song written by Queen of Love and Hope named "The Condom Makes a Man," encouraging people to try different condoms, from flavors to colors to ribbed and more. The song concluded with: "And remember: do it well, do it right, and do it responsibly!"

Lindsay Rootare wore an evening gown made of condoms created by designers Autumn Bendall and Estefania.

Also, artist and poet Lady Bedbug wore a garment made of condoms designed by Pierretta Viktori. "I think it's super important to relieve the shame around conversations about safer sex practices regarding contraception and also consent. My piece was inspired by things I wish I had been taught in sex-ed about being allowed to set boundaries - be they rubber, verbal, or physical. Learning to say NO and value my sexual autonomy has been a key to loving my queer self. As someone who was socialized as a woman and now identifies as trans nonbinary, I never believed that my body was my own but more that my sexuality was to be consumed and commodified. Performing in this way is a reminder that I get to make my own decisions about my body, being, and sexual health," said Lady Bedbug.

Through education, prevention, and community building, CHN is committed to helping end the epidemic of HIV and AIDS in New York City by 2020 as part of the city's plan which involves multiple agencies, organizations, and New Yorkers in every borough. The "Dress for Action" event is an extension of this commitment by providing opportunities, like this event, which educate people about sexual health in a creative way, while connecting communities to the vast array of health resources CHN provides.