High School Gay-Straight Alliance Event - Would Condoms Be Dispensed?

KTC · Jul 31, 2015

The title says it all.

My characters form a gay-straight alliance club. They're having their first official event, as part of homecoming. It's a casino type booth with a big six wheel, roulette, etc...where it's free to play and people when prizes (I already dealt with the gambling issue and feel I've covered that issue). The fun-stuff is to draw kids to the booth. They have tons of brochures, etc, to hand out once kids approach. My question is...would it be realistic for them to also handout condoms? I'm thinking it would be nixed by the powers that be even before they get to the event day. Am I correct? Or would it be allowed? I think it would be great if they could do this at the booth...but I'm thinking because it's high school it wouldn't fly...too age inappropriate.

Help? I've been out of high school for over 30 years. (-:

Maryn · Jul 31, 2015

I live in a liberal school district, but even they would not distribute condoms to minors. Organizations like Planned Parenthood, which might have a booth, would not be allowed to, either, although they could distribute literature advising minors that their contraceptive needs can be met at the Planned Parenthood office, with hours and directions.

Myrealana · Jul 31, 2015

I can't see that being allowed.

My son recently graduated from HS. I wouldn't say it was a particularly liberal school, more on the moderate side, with a fairly divided parental population.

I don't recall ever seeing an event or class where condoms were distributed. My son said there were some teachers and coaches that would give them out on request, but not openly distributed.

Osulagh · Jul 31, 2015

Regardless if they are allowed or not, why would they distribute condoms?

I've been to a few high schools and one of them allowed, not Planned Parenthood but some other organization, come in and hand out condoms, lube, and other things. Another one handed them out in health class, the health teacher's office, and the nurse's office. Though events can be different. Both colleges I've attended have allowed people to distribute condoms and other stuff on campus.

Captcha · Jul 31, 2015

Are you setting the story in Ontario?

Most schools I've been to in Ontario have condoms available through the public health nurses; there's usually a system so kids can just come in and grab a handful, rather than having to speak to the nurse about it.

If you wanted a compromise, you could have the nurse taking part in the carnival, maybe working in the booth, and s/he could be the one technically handing out the condoms.

Your kids will need a faculty sponsor for the GSA, so you could have the sponsor be the one who coordinates things with the nurse, if that works...

KTC · Jul 31, 2015

Thank you, all! Captcha...that's really helpful. Yes to the faculty sponsor. And he's hands on and has helped them through other steps or organizing. That would actually work...but I'm setting it in anytown, anywhere...so I might just go with safe-sex pamphlets or something. I wouldn't want anyone reading to get kicked out with a 'that just wouldn't happen' reaction.

Thanks, all!

Taejang · Jul 31, 2015

If you don't let them hand out condoms (and that is probably a good decision, for precisely the reason you mention about audience reaction), you could include something about how they asked but their request to do so was denied. In a decade or two, as societal norms are shifting, your future audience may need that explicit denial to understand that this school wasn't as open as what they are used to.

Captcha · Jul 31, 2015

There could also be a philosophical issue with handing out condoms, like focusing on sex would reinforce the stereotype of gay people as being promiscuous, or whatever. The GSAs I'm familiar with are focused more on the social aspects rather than the physical.

KTC · Jul 31, 2015

You both make excellent points. And they already tackled the issue with stereotypes and gay being about more than sex. Thank you!

I think I will work that denial in...thanks.

High School Gay-Straight Alliance Event - Would Condoms Be Dispensed?

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Maryn

At Sea

Myrealana

I aim to misbehave

Osulagh

Independent fluffy puppy.

Captcha

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live

Taejang

Why not?

Captcha

KTC

Stand in the Place Where You Live