Trojan(R) and the National Sexuality Resource Center's Campaign for Sexual Literacy Recognize Outstanding College Reporting on Sexual Health

PRINCETON, N.J., Nov. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The makers of Trojan(R) brand condoms and the NSRC's Campaign for Sexual Literacy are now accepting entries for the inaugural Trojan Evolve Student Journalism Award. The award will recognize college journalists who do an exceptional job reporting on sexual health topics in their college print or online media outlet. Students across the U.S. can apply by submitting an article published in 2007 relating to sexual health issues, statistics, products, policy or opinions at www.trojanevolve.com.

The makers of Trojan brand condoms believe society's attitudes, policies, and ways of thinking about sexual health and condoms need to evolve -- from the idea that sex is unhealthy or something to be policed to a simple acknowledgement that it is a natural expression of our humanity and intrinsic to our overall well-being. The goal is to redefine sexual health and condom usage, and make it the focus of a new kind of national conversation about sex.

Consider the statistics: Each year Americans experience more than 3 million unintended pregnancies(i), 19 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs)(ii),and more than 1 billion acts of unprotected sex among single adults(iii). Sixty-five million Americans live with an incurable STI(iv). Yet, despite the proven effectiveness of latex condoms in preventing unintended pregnancy and the transmission of disease, single sexually-active Americans between the ages of 18 and 54 use them in only about 25 percent of their sexual encounters(v).

"With this award recognition, we hope to support student journalists who strive to articulate the evolving challenges, experiences and perspectives related to sexual health and condom usage in their college community or the greater U.S. population," said Jim Daniels, vice president of marketing for Trojan. "College students are truly in a position to help to shape this nation into a sexually healthy society, and that requires an evolved media discourse about what it actually means to be sexually healthy."

The judging panel will consist of sexual health experts, journalism professionals and Trojan brand representatives. One grand prize recipient will be awarded with a $2,000 cash prize and trip for two to San Francisco, where they will be honored at the 2008 Champions for Sexual Literacy annual dinner. Four additional students will receive honorable mentions and a $500 prize. All winning entries will be published on the Trojan Evolve website.

"We look forward to honoring the winner of the first Trojan Evolve Award," said Gilbert Herdt, director of the NSRC's Campaign for Sexual Literacy. "We are proud to support future leaders who take a serious role in developing their campuses' sexual literacy, in a time when misinformation, hype, and polarization about sexuality, sex and gender are common."

About the TROJAN(R) Evolve Student Journalism Award

Entries can be submitted online at www.trojanevolve.com/evolveaward no later than January 31, 2008. Contest entries must focus on sexual health issues, statistics, products, policy or opinions. Evaluations of the entries are based on journalistic quality (30%); communication impact (40%); scope (15%); and comprehensiveness (15%). Essays should include references to condom use and must be consistent with Evolve master narrative. For details please visit www.trojanevolve.com/evolveaward.

Broadcast (television and radio) media stories, blog posts and message board posts are not eligible. Submissions for the Trojan Evolve Student Journalism Award should be published in an official American college or university newspaper, magazine or online media outlet, during the 2007 calendar year. Contest open to legal residents of the U.S. who are current (as of the 2007 calendar year) student journalists writing for their college's newspaper, magazine or online college website and who are 18 years of age or older as of their date of entry. Limit one entry per person. There is no fee to enter.

About TROJAN(R)

TROJAN(R) Brand Condoms are America's #1 condom and have been trusted for nearly 90 years. TROJAN(R) brand latex condoms are made from premium quality latex to help reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Each condom is electronically tested to help ensure reliability. There are over 29 varieties of TROJAN(R) Brand Condoms. More Americans trust the TROJAN(R) brand than any other condom.

About the National Sexuality Resource Center's Campaign for Sexual Literacy

The National Sexuality Resource Center's Campaign for Sexual Literacy is a project of the Department of Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State University. The Campaign for Sexual Literacy gathers and disseminates the latest accurate information and research on sexual health, education, and rights. Through active outreach to advocates, academics, researchers, policy makers, and diverse communities, the Campaign for Sexual Literacy initiates constructive dialogues-both online and face-to-face-on sexuality to promote social justice and improve the quality of life in the United States.

(i) U.S. Teenage Pregnancy Statistics: National and State Trends and Trends by Ethnicity. The Guttmacher Institute, New York, September 2006. Available at: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/2006/09/12/USTPstats.pdf. Finer LF, Henshaw SK. Disparities in Rates of Unintended Pregnancy in the United States, 1994 and 2001. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2006, 38(2):90-96. Available at: http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/psrh/full/3809006.pdf.

(ii) "Trends in Reportable Sexually Transmitted Diseases in the United States, 2005." Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/05pdf/trends- 2005.pdf.

    (iii) Research Triangle Institute, 2002; data on file.
    (iv) American Social Health Association, 1998.
    (v) Research Triangle Institute, 2002; data on file.

    Contacts:  Melle Hock
               Edelman
               212-642-7793
               melle.hock@edelman.com

               Michael Bruno
               Edelman
               212-704-8232
               michael.bruno@edelman.com