New Virus Released for Valentines Day — (A Good Virus That Is)
Here's something contagious you won't mind catching this Valentine's Day! Instead of the usual flowers and chocolates, there's a fresh and funky online card and video that can be sent to friends and family for free, and it has the added bonus of helping them stay healthy for the rest of the year.
The card and video, spread virally over the Internet and cell phones, announce the launch of WontGetWeird, BC's first network of sexual health care providers who guarantee confidential, non-judgmental information and services. "It's scary to call a place, if you're not sure you can trust the information, or if the person on the other end is judgmental", says Ryan Chard, 18, a youth sexual health activist. This experience is one that Options for Sexual Health (OPT), who initiated the network in BC, has heard numerous times. It is the driving force behind the network's key message "Talk about sex and some people get weird. We won't."
Saleema Noon, a sexual health educator and one of the 150+ founding members of the WontGetWeird network, thinks a program of this kind is long overdue: "As a private sexual health educator, I am proud to be a member of the Won't Get Weird Network. It is a chance for those trying to help young people make smart decisions about their sexual health to shout a collective "We're here when you need us!" One of the primary goals of the WontGetWeird campaign is to reduce the barriers to the sexual health information and services that people have a right to obtain.
These barriers, which include negative attitudes that people encounter when it comes to asking questions or talking frankly about sex, were also the creative inspiration behind the video. Parodying three common weird reactions to legitimate questions people ask about their sexual health, the video was created for OPT by Good Company Communications who are also partnering to spread the campaign though their HelloCoolWorld.com network.
What is unique about the video is that in addition to being easily viewed and shared online, it can also be uploaded to many cell phones. This feature was made possible through a partnership with the Mobile MUSE Network, members of Vancouver's high tech community who provided grant funding as well as technical expertise to make the video work on cell phones. "We got involved to demonstrate how online mobile media can be relevant, useful and appropriate for non-profit organizations in their social marketing," says David Vogt, Mobile MUSE project leader, "and we wanted to support WontGetWeird in its innovative marketing to reach youth where they are - on their cell phones."
Telephones and the internet are the easiest ways for most people to find out who won't get weird in their community. Anyone with access to a telephone in BC can call a toll-free number, 1-800 SEX SENSE, to get information or referrals on anything to do with sexuality or reproductive health. Alternately, they can go the www.wontgetweird.com website and use the searchable database to find the nearest or most appropriate WontGetWeird provider.
This Valentine's Day and Sexual Reproductive Health Day (February 12th) send this e-card, and help your friends and sweetie catch the love bug without catching the other viruses we all want to avoid! To view or send the card and video, visit www.wontgetweird.com, click on "BC", and follow the links.
FOR INTERVIEWS OR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jessica Peart or Stephanie Sersli
Co-Managers, Executive Services
Options for Sexual Health
Phone: 604–731–4252 ext 237
Mobile: 604–786–0725
Download the full press kit, videos and other resources at: http://www.wontgetweird.com
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