February 11, 2009

Mall Forces Armani Exchange to Remove HIV Prevention Display

Mall management in Troy, Michigan, instructed Armani Exchange to take down its window display designed to promote HIV/AIDS prevention and education during the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, pridesource.com reports.

According to the article, Somerset Collection is the only mall out of 76 around the country to ban the display, which features hundreds of heart-shaped red condoms. The condoms are part of the store’s partnership with the National AIDS Fund through its Give Love, Get Love campaign. The images are intended to embrace romance while reminding people to act responsibly.

“That the management of this mall could make such a backward and boneheaded decision is mind-boggling,” says Craig Covey, interim CEO of the Michigan AIDS Coalition. “AIDS and condom promotion may have been controversial to some in the 1980s, but today Americans understand the importance and seriousness of prevention education and safer sex.”

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Previous Comments:

Mikee D, Bucks County, PA, 2009-02-18 23:21:43
The lease determines the mall's ability to control window displays, but that doesn't mean the tenant, Armani, is powerless over the situation. Armani might have objected to the landlord's request, begun a letter writing campaign to the landlord, or, at the very least, looked for a way to terminate the lease early. Could Armani rent from a more intelligent owner? Armani is in business to make money. Where does a business draw the line between the bottom line and social responsibility?

RogerinPhilly, Philadelphia, 2009-02-13 10:26:13
EVERYONE should write to "The Somerset Collection" and praise Armani Exchange for doing such a POSITIVE thing. I just did. It's easy and could make a difference.