The launch event began at a swanky loft in Soho. Solange Knowles spoke about HIV prevention and the need for more education for teens about safer sex. She also discussed how President Obama has inspired her to help others. Solange was poised, well spoken and lovely. I spoke about safer sex, including the fact that there are over 33 million people living with HIV and AIDS around the world. I also mentioned that according to the Durex survey, sixty percent of people say that even though they know about the risks of contracting HIV from sex, they still do not always use protection. There’s no reason to say “no” to condoms, because today new thinner condoms (such as Sensi-Thin and Extra Sensitive) feel better than condoms have ever felt. Also, there are many ways to integrate condoms into lovemaking, so that they can even spice up people’s sex lives, which, of course, I detail in my book.

We reassembled in Times Square where models wearing “yes, yes, yes” pajamas distributed Durex condoms. The Naked Cowboy, who played a “yes, yes, yes” labeled guitar, attracted tons of attention as he sang a little ditty about safer sex: “If you don’t want to mess with HIV, then join The Body Shop and MTV. Say yes, yes, yes to safe sex with me.” He sang this same song over and over for hours. (Although, I swear that once I heard him sing, “If you don’t want to masturbate, then say yes to safe sex with me.”)

It was a great day for HIV/AIDS education in NYC.