A decision by Fresno County health authorities to dole out specially-branded condoms and sex lubricant during last week’s Gay Pride Parade is drawing ire from at least one Fresno County Supervisor.
Now, it’s prompting a review of how the health agency engages in public outreach.
Driving the news: Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld teed off on a decision by the Fresno County Department of Public Health for purchasing specially-branded, rainbow-wrapped condoms and lube to be distributed during the Tower District Pride Parade.
- The specially-made condoms cost roughly $6,000, Bredefeld said during Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
- Bredefeld, during a discussion among the Board, said the move went beyond providing public health information and into advocacy for engaging in sexual activity.
- Sexual health advocates countered that the expenditure for condoms and lube was purely a preventative measure to curb sexually-transmitted disease rates.
- Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez said that the incident prompted a need for method of reviewing resources and event sponsorships, with county administration preparing a policy for approval.
What they’re saying: “Taxpayer money should not be used to facilitate lube and condoms so people can engage in sexual activity,” Bredefeld said during Tuesday’s meeting. “It’s completely unacceptable, and so we will get this changed so this doesn’t happen in the future.”
