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On June 25, Shane Cohn, Ward 25
alderman, sponsored a bill repealing a local ordinance that has banned condom
sales in St. Louis since 1934. However, local businesses have sold condoms,
because the law has not been enforced. Cohn explained to the city's Health and
Human Services Committee that high rates of teen pregnancies and STDs
necessitate the repeal of the ordinance.
The ordinance’s wording currently
states that it is illegal to make "for sale, or give away, within the
City, any contraceptive or sex-inciting device or contrivance or any
prophylactic rubber goods or prophylactic membranes or to own or be in charge
of any vending machine dispensing any such article or to be in charge of any
premises where such vending machine is maintained or where any such device is
displayed or is dispensed by any means whatsoever." The ordinance exempts
licensed doctors and pharmacists.
Ward 13 Alderman Fred Wessels warned
that the repeal would not decrease STD rates and described condoms as easily
obtainable. Cohn responded that St. Louis needed to “clean up” its ordinances.
He noted under the current law, the possibility existed that a grocery store
check-out clerk could be fined for selling condoms. Condom sales have been a
controversial topic, with religious institutions such as the Catholic Church
strongly opposing condoms and supporting birth control prohibition.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus.
To learn more about The Friends of
AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
