Generation Action at UA, a Planned Parenthood organization that aims to provide reproductive support and education, has added a condom costume as part of its tabling on the Quad.
“The costume does bring a bit of a shock factor. I find that humor is one of the biggest forms of advocacy,” said Bailey Smith, a senior majoring in psychology and treasurer of Generation Action, who wore the costume.
Started in 2020, the organization holds tabling events where members hand out items like contraceptives, menstrual supplies and educational pamphlets.
This is the first semester that the organization has included a condom costume, hoping to reach a larger audience.
“It actually gains a lot of traction. People think it’s funny,” said Julia Clark, a sophomore majoring in public health and secretary for Generation Action. “They want to take pictures, and it’s a great opportunity for us to spread information about equitable access to reproductive health.”
Clark said that it is important they operate within the legal constraints in Alabama – which currently doesn’t recognize the individual right to distribute and use contraceptives — while making sure people have access to safe sexual and reproductive health care.
Alabama’s near-total abortion ban took full effect in 2022 after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe V. Wade in June of 2022, and since then people have advocated for reproductive care throughout the state.
“I want college students everywhere to practice safe sex,” Smith said. “I hand out the free condoms because people deserve to have contraceptives and not have to pay for them.”
