Belting out tunes such as “The Safety Dance” and “Brown Eyed Girl,” Captain Condom made a second appearance at the O Bar on Tuesday, singing and dancing while patrons cheered and enjoyed the drink special, Sex on the Beach.
Captain Condom, the mascot for the HIV Alliance’s “Wrap It Up” campaign, was created by Allen Hall Public Relations through the School of Journalism and Communication.
The life-sized condom will make another appearance at Rennie’s Landing tonight and Saturday at 10:30 p.m. as part of a three-day tour through local bars meant to inform people about safe sex and HIV and to distribute protective devices such as condoms and dental dams.
The mascot was first introduced Feb. 14, National Condom Awareness Day, to distribute condoms and information about HIV awareness and testing.
HIV Alliance’s Youth Program Director Niki Martin said the campaign is about grabbing people’s attention.
“If you make it funny, it’ll make people listen,” Martin said.
AHPR Account Executive Kelsea Michael said humor was the point of the mascot.
“We figured getting a condom from a condom would help people remember,” she said.
Michael said 50 percent of new HIV cases each year are diagnosed in people ages 15 to 25. She added that people who get tested typically change their behavior. She hopes more sexually active University students will take advantage of the easy test.
Testing is available at the University Health Center or at the HIV Alliance’s office at 1966 Garden Ave. in Eugene.
“Fees are on a sliding scale,” Martin said, “but nobody is ever turned away.”
Martin said one in 250 people tested in Lane County test positive for HIV. She added that approximately 25 percent of infected individuals in the United States have not been tested and do not know they are carriers.
“For the first time in 10 years,
we saw a rise last year,” Martin said. “Maybe it’s uncomfortable, maybe it’s frightening, but it needs to be done.” HIV Alliance Executive Director Diane Lang said the goal is to reach the University and the
entire community.
“Our goals for this campaign are to meet students on their level, saturate their environment and serve their needs to the best of our ability,” Lang said.
Martin said the idea of distributing condoms at bars seemed to be a logical direction for the campaign. She said many “hookups” happen after people have been drinking and sometimes make unwise choices.
“We’re spending time at the bars and showing people how to use the resources available,” Martin said.
Junior Desiree Townley said
she disagreed with the alliance’s approach.
“It’s as effective as a guy dressed as a hot dog making somebody want to buy a hot dog,” Townley said.
Senior Tony Fuller also said it wasn’t the best approach.
“It’s a little obnoxious, but it’s better than nothing,” he said. “I would rather not have a visual for sex.” He added he is tested about every six months.
University alumna Kirsten Gunderson said she has been tested several times, starting in high school as part of an AIDS and substance-abuse prevention program. She said she enjoyed Captain Condom’s appearance at the bar and thought the message would be accepted .
“I would say yeah, it certainly grabs your attention,” she said.

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