Poster, 'Play it safe with Captain Condom', 1991-1993

Poster, A4, pink with dark blue print, 'Play it safe with Captain Condom', part of the Isle of Wight Health Commission Department of Public Health Medicine's 'Captain Condom' HIV awareness campaign, Isle of Wight, 1991-1993

‘Captain Condom’ was a HIV awareness campaign run on the Isle of Wight in 1991-1993.

It was created by the island’s Genital, Urinary Medicine clinic, which was one of the first in the UK to integrate sexual and reproductive health services. The campaign was taken to schools and prisons, pubs, clubs and events to promote safe sex.

Due to the island’s close-knit community and separation from the mainland, the stigma surrounding both the LGBTQ+ community and HIV/AIDS was strong. This campaign was designed to make HIV/AIDS a more approachable topic, in contrast to the infamous ‘AIDS: Don't Die of Ignorance' adverts of the 1980s, which featured a giant tombstone being chiselled. The main target audience was young people, with local students having contributed to the final logo design.

This poster features the names of various sports, with playful double entendres such as ‘wear protective headgear’ and ‘perform well in every position’ overlaid.