Last week Queerty reported on New Mexico governor Susana Martinez’s search for a new hairdresser after her old one decided he couldn’t take her stance against same-sex marriage anymore.
Well, Martinez might have to find herself a new gynecologist, too: Earlier this month, the New Mexico Public Health Department was directed to remove from clinics and kiosks any brochures that didn’t bear the Department of Health logo—something that’s never been required before.As a result, vital information on drug addiction, vaccines, STDs and family planning was tossed.
While it’s not clear who issued the directive—some sources claim it was Martinez, others says it’s Dr. Catherine Torres, the state’s Secretary of Health (and a Martinez appointee)—there is some speculation on why it was done.
A poster on NMDOHCrisis.com writes:
What is not known by everyone is, buried in all of the recalled educational materials, is safer-sex material that contain illustrations of a same-sex couple. That caused the removal of all materials. The hope of the Torres administration is to cover up the removal of these materials with a mass recall under the reason of a missing logo.
After area news stations reported on “pornographic” safer-sex materials provided to Jobs Corps Center in Roswell—brochures containing graphic (though not titillating) depictions of man-on-man sex—a representative from the DOH said there would be a thorough review of all health brochures. “We think that the materials that were given out were not appropriate,” said Dr. Maggi Gallaher.
Whoever was responsible for the removal of the brochures, it was an epic fail. Ignorance might be bliss when it comes to how clean your hotel sheets are but not when it comes to sexual health, especially in the gay community.
Click through for a view of the “offending” pamphlet
iDavid
I must say whoever did the pix for that pamphlet understands how sexual education should be taught. Yes, graphically. That means with pictures in case Maggie doesn’t understand 4 syllable words. Maggie Gallagher, grow up.
randy
I’d like to see the graphic depictions of opposite sex to compare.
Sohobod
She’s got one eye bigger than the other; or one’s glass, or something.
Jo
The governor and doctors involved should be ashamed of themselves…I guess “public” health only applies to folks who aren’t having sex.
Johnathan Publix
It is only one doctor who opposes the material and that is the Cabinet Secretary. All the other doctors at the dept of health support they use of these materials. NM DOH has used these materials for over 5 years. This is just good old fashion homophobia.
This is very sad for what is a very liberal state. That has a very poorly run department of health due to a political appointment.
-NM DOH Employee
Aaron
@randy: I agree!
Price Waterhouse
New Mexico used to be cool. Now, it’s just another republican casualty and potential hate state. Sad.
Hyhybt
All right, I readily admit to being ignorant, and this seems to be as good a place to ask as any. Hard as it was with the combination of text size and resolution, I *read* the illustration. It says something I’ve seen before: that you should *only* use water-based lube because oil-based ruins condoms.
To me, this brings up a few questions: as I’ve seen what appears to be *three* types, the third being silicone, where does that fall? Why do pamphlets not mention it? Does it count as oil, is it unsafe for some other reason, is it safe but uncommon enough that they assume their audience won’t find any, do they just not want people using that kind for some other reason, or what?
Chris
@Hyhybt: Silicone based lubes may be used with latex condoms. If you really want to use oil based lubes, you can use them with a polyurethane or nitrile condom. Oil based lubes should not be used with polyisoprene (hypoallergenic synthetic latex) condoms, and lambskin condoms do not protect against HIV.
Silicone lube is harder to wash out and more expensive, but some people do prefer it, so go ahead and try it.
Johnathan Publix
@Hyhybt: The pamphlet is ten years-old.
TASTEY GOODIES
I WISH SEX ED IN HS WAS THIS THOROUGH. WHEATHER GAY, ST8T, BI, TRANS, OR WHATEVER. SHAME ON THE HOMOPHOBES. WE NEED 2 THINK ABOUT PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. EDUCATION IS POWER. LET’S EMPOWER OUR KID’S AND IN DOING SO, WE EMPOWER EACH OTHER.