Good For Life (1993)

S.F. AIDS Foundation releases teen safe sex info

"Good For Life" brochure targets young people

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, NOVEMBER 23, 1993 -- In response to recent studies showing a marked increase in HIV among young gay and bisexual men, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation today released a brochure providing information on stemming HIV transmission among young people.

"Good For Life" ("Buen Provecho") features a first-person narration with safe sex tips for young men and will be available to students at San Francisco high schools -- the first time information specifically addressing same-gender sex has been distributed in the San Francisco Unified School District.

The brightly colored, accordian-style, twelve-panel "Good For Life" is a first-of-its kind bilingual safe sex brochure aimed at junior high and high school-age young men who may be gay, or questioning their sexual orientation and beginning to experiment sexually.

"An alarming number of young men are becoming infected with HIV in their teenage years," said Elliot Ramos, youth intervention coordinator for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "That's directly due to a lack of clear and honest safer-sex education -- something our 'Good For Life' brochure offers. At an age when sexual experimentation is a possibility, young men in their teens need to have access to the facts about preventing HIV transmission."

A study entitled "Youth and HIV Disease in San Francisco," released last May and co-sponsored by the San Francisco Department of Public Health AIDS Office and Special Programs for Youth, revealed that "[n]early 900 youth 12 to 25 years of age are currently estimated to be living with HIV infection in San Francisco, representing almost 1% of the City's youth population." Those young people, the study found, are primarily young men having sex with other men.

The study also noted that "[y]outh experience rapid physical, cognitive, and sexual changes that can be confusing. Part of this developmental process is exploration of sexuality and substance abuse, which may be greatly influenced by peer pressure. Young people may also experience feelings of isolation, anger, and low self-esteem that lead to risk-taking."

In its recommendations, the study suggested that AIDS service providers work "with the San Francisco Unified School District to initiate prevention education of youth... using age-appropriate instruction."

In response to those recommendations, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation will distribute "Good For Life" at teen clinics at Balboa High School and Mission High School in San Francisco, as well as through street outreach workers and youth groups.

Tom Ammiano, President of the San Francisco School Board, expressed delight that "Good For Life" will be available to San Francisco high school students. "I am thrilled at this important first step in saving lives of a population that has heretofore not been recognized as being at risk," Ammiano said.

The "Good For Life" brochure features photos of seven teens of all races, with titles that include the words "Knowledge," "Courage," "Love," and "Power."

The "Testimonial" section includes, in English and Spanish, a sex-positive message aimed at young men who already may be engaged in same-gender sex, or are thinking about it: "I remember making out with a girl for the first time. It felt kind of nice. As I got older, I started to look at guys and feel sexually attracted toward them. At first I was freaked-out and thought something was wrong with me. But since sexual attraction is natural and all right, it shouldn't matter if it's with a girl or guy. Right? What matters is feeling good -- about myself and what I'm doing -- and having safe sex every time."

The brochure's unnamed narrator adds: "It's not about who I'm having sex with.... It's about HOW I'm doing it." The text then elucidates safe sex guidelines.