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Surviving & Thriving: AIDS, Politics, and Culture

Condoms as Safer Sex

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Don’t die of embarrassment, 1980s

Discussing condoms meant talking about sex and which could cause shame, anxiety, or embarrassment for some. This poster encouraged anyone having sex with men to have those conversations with their partner(s), regardless of the potential for awkwardness.

  • Publisher(s):
    New York City Department of Health
  • Type:
    Poster
Blue background with black text, “Don’t die of embarrassment” is much larger than rest of text.
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    Don’t die of embarrassment.

    Yes, it could be embarrassing to ask a man to wear a condom, especially if you Don’t know him very well.

    But that’s exactly who you need to ask—the man you Don’t know.

    And if he says no, so can you.

    Anyone can get the AIDS virus by having sex with an infected person.

    And you just can’t be sure who’s infected. The carrier often doesn’t know, and can have the virus years before the symptoms start showing up.

    So you must protect yourself.

    Not having sex is one sure way to avoid AIDS. lf you decide to have sex, using a condom is your best protection.

    It’s as simple as that.

    AIDS is incurable, and if you get it, you’ll likely die.

    So start carrying condoms and tell your partner to use them.

    Because the consequences of getting AIDS are more than just a little embarrassing. They’re deadly.

    AIDS
    If you think you can’t get it, you’re dead wrong.

    NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 1 (718) 485-8111

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