UPDATE: Fox 5 followed up on the story investigated by My9
Most people know that if it’s bootleg it can be found in Harlem — from bootleg DVDs and CDs to brand name fashions, nothing is sacred in the eyes of a bootlegger. Not even condoms. That’s right, they’ve been bootlegging rubbers in Harlem.
I
t sounds like an urban legend that you will find on a rumor site like Snopes, but a reputable news agency conducted an investigation that uncovered fake Trojan Magnums being sold in corner bodegas all over Harlem. What makes Magnums unique is the fact that they are more generous in size than the average condom being handed out for free. Magnums are considered a premium condom, if you will. The same thing happened in the U.K. a couple of years ago when boxes of Durex brand condoms were pulled off the shelves.
The bottom line is don’t take this situation lightly. You can do several things to protect your health and the health of your partner(s): Take the time to buy your condoms from a reputable distributor – Duane Reade, Rite-Aid, Pathmark; check to make sure that the condoms you are currently using are authentic (watch the video); and if you discover that you have been using fake condoms then quickly go to a clinic and get a check up for STDs and pregnancy.
Although this is a serious situation there is still some humor to be found. Ladies, just because he’s carrying a Magnum doesn’t necessarily mean he is a magnum. This goes to prove what you’ve always suspected. In this case, size matters.
Play safe!
Watch: My9 News Investigation
Related: Church & Dwight :: Allhiphop :: Urbanclubbers :: Fact Sheet about HIV
ac
May 31, 2007
Anonimess, you want to know why harlem??? because only in harlem are there people who trust some guy with a blanket on the street with their sexual health enough to actually buy condoms from them!!! im sorry but you have to be insane!!!! only only only buy your condoms from a drug store people!!!
narmer
May 31, 2007
I hope it is not N9 spermicide !
In another part of the new labels, the FDA wants manufacturers to warn that the spermicide nonoxynol-9 could irritate the vagina, which “may increase the risk of getting HIV/AIDS from an infected partner.” Based on the same studies that prompted the FDA to warn away from the product, Cullins said, Planned Parenthood has already stopped distributing condoms containing nonoxynol-9.
Anonimess
May 31, 2007
I have to disagree with narmer. People who have used them said that they are in fact defective. Why? Because Magnums are designed for men with larger penises and if the fakes are smaller then the condom is going to break as was reported by some of the men in the Fox report. I would call that defective. Plus, what is that perfumy scent in them? Is it just lubricant or n9 the spermicide? I would think whatever it is that it could cause irritation for people with sensitive skin and even vaginal rashes in some cases. From a health stand point I think this is pretty serious and it wouldn’t be stood for in other communities. Why Harlem? We have enough issues with unplanned pregnancies, STDs and HIV. Why add to it?
Otherwise
May 31, 2007
I feel what narmer is saying. They state the obvious, but forbid to dig in (unless of course it’s one of those “further details” type of thing). Abstinence is my new magnum anyway. Had an interesting convo with my lady and her sister some time ago. We were in Duane Reade and bumped into a new type of condom…I think it was promoting vibration or something in that nature when it’s placed on. The point is, my lady said it was “stupid” to come out with such a thing. I strongly disagreed. Some folk in our generation (ages 16 -27) have a problem with reading, correct? They do however have sex. So whether the producer of this particular condom was just trying to make some ducats(which was the point made by my lady and her sister), or the young, hormone driven people out there saw it and said to themselves” hey, I should try that”, don’t you think it’s a pretty good idea?
narmer
May 31, 2007
The news reports only address the bootleg aspect of the “Magnum” but nowhere in the reports do the say that they are defective. If they are found to be defective, call for their removal from store shelves not just do a bootleg story and still leave them in the stores. This smells like a story put out for the benefit of the makers of the Magnum Condom.
Doug
May 30, 2007
I have a feeling its the type of thing where you know you’re buying a bootleg – its like the movies you buy on the subway where people are standing up halfway and walking through the picture – there’s no substitute for the real thing.