The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is welcoming the estimated 50,000 visitors coming to town for the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Aug.19-22—but is also urging them to exercise caution with a series of safer-sex ads, according to a press release.
A social-media campaign began this past weekend with posts such as “Bring Home Souvenirs, Not STIs. USE A CONDOM,” accompanying iconic images of Chicago. CDPH will use social media and digital platforms to spread this message, as it has done for events like Lollapalooza, the Pride Parade and summer festivals.
Ads will also appear on the dating/hookup app Grindr, including one with a photo of a Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich on a blue background and the caption, “Getting more than your Italian Beef ‘Hot and Wet?’ PrEP AND USE A CONDOM.” The ads encourage those who will be having sex to ensure they use PrEP and use a condom to help prevent HIV and STIs.
It was widely reported that during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, the gay and bi male-focused dating site/app crashed because of the unusually high volume of users in the Milwaukee area.
Information on CDPH’s STI Specialty Clinics can be found at Chicago.gov/sti-hiv.