Dual-purpose condom for both gay and straight couples

CMR to come up with a dual-purpose condom for both homosexuals and straight couples; Delhi gays not enthused

A much-needed breakthrough. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Wednesday it will soon come up with a dual-purpose condom, which will benefit gays as well as straight couples. The merchandise is almost ready for production and would be available in the market very soon.

Talking about the new condom an ICMR official on condition of anonymity said, "The regular condoms available in the market are basically developed for vaginal sex. The condoms needed by gay community needs to have extra lubrication and strength for anal sex. Anal sex often leads to breakage and slippage of the regular condoms exposing the user against all kinds of infections and medical complications."

But it seems the gay community is not particularly enthused. Sharing her view on the development Anjali Gopalan the founder of Naz Foundation said, "The gay community always asked for a condom with better lubrication. It is not the need of gay community particularly but a lot of heterosexual people who engage in anal sex need a better quality condom with extra strength and lubrication."

While ICMR is about to launch the product there is very little information available about it. The factor of inhibition is also expected to play a big deterrent. "It's a good initiative as it would prevent a number of infections and diseases. The gay people are using the condoms which are in fact meant to be used for vaginal sex only," said photographer Sunil Gupta.

But Ashok Row Kavi, a gay celebrity from Mumbai completely negated the theory. "Gays don't do anything different and thus they don't need any different kind of condom. What we always asked for was better lubrication," he said.

But Gupta pointed out the importance of physical strength of the condom. "Lubrication does help but strength is also important. At the same time there should be focus on advertisement to make it more accessible," he said.