An outspoken Catholic group is displeased by how the city is now making it even easier for New Yorkers to get free condoms: through an app.
Yesterday, the city Health Department launched NYC Condom Finder, a free app for Android or iPhone devices. Using GPS, the app tells users where to find free condoms near them, from health clinics to homeless shelters.
But to some, the city’s condom freebies only encourage more casual sex. “Condomania has reached new heights of delirium with this latest iPhone app gimmick,” said Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League. “Every year the Bloomberg administration gives away more free condoms, and every year the rates of STDs climb. They are impervious to reason — they never get it.”
Starting in 1971, the city has aggressively pushed free condoms to help reduce the spread of HIV and other STDs like herpes, chlamydia and hepatitis B and C. Any NYC-based organization, public or private, can even order condoms in bulk from the city — for free — simply by calling 311. Despite the city’s efforts, however, the infection rate for certain STDs in NYC continues to climb over the past decade.
