Date: 1 July 1996
Originally published in: OK! (UK)
Written by:
It’s National Condom Week, and safe sex is back on the agenda. Actor Ben Nealon and singer Kim Wilde say that buying condoms is natural – so don’t be shy.
Kim Wilde (currently starring in Tommy)
“When I was young, just to say the word “condom” was embarrassing: you would never say it in front of your parents. Nowadays, it’s as normal as saying “baked beans”, and that’s gerat. Using condoms is the responsible thing to do. People should feel really good that they’re taking a positive decision to protect themselves. Sex isn’t something that’s premeditated – people do get carried away in the heat of the moment, and who’s to know when that might happen? It’s better to be prepared for that, and keep condoms in your handbag or in the bathroom – I certainly do.
People should talk about sex. I discuss it with my 16-year-old sister, Roxanne, and my 14-year-old brother, Marty Jr, and I’ll say the word “condom” as loudly and as often as I can to put it on the agenda. I see my mother raise her eyebrows, but she usually stops herself – it’s just an old habit she has.
I know lots of teenagers, so I’m pretty tuned in to what they’re talking about. A lot of them are abstaining from sex, and I don’t blame them. But, of course, there are going to plenty who don’t and they should protect themselves.
When I have children of my own, I definitely plan to encourage debate and conversation about sex and condoms, but I don’t believe in preaching to people – everyone should make their own decisions.”
(…)
National Condom week is August 5-11. The National AIDS Helpline number is 0800 567123. These interviews are taken from the Johnny Condom education video, available from the Frank Foundation at: Bosdale house, 7-10 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH.
