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Mother Opposes Condom Machine
in Library Restroom

The mother of an 8-year-old girl who saw a condom machine in a branch restroom of the Multnomah County (Oregon) Library is opposing the presence of the machines in the library.

According to the August 6 Portland Oregonian, the dispensers are a project of the nonprofit group Population Services International, which has placed them in the men’s and women’s restrooms in two of the system’s 15 branches. County officials said no tax dollars are spent on the machines.

The library responded to Edie Sedey’s complaints by sending information about the program. Sedey then contacted Laura Schlessinger’s radio show “Ask Dr. Laura,” but county officials told the newspaper they received only half-a-dozen complaints after the show covered the issue.

Library board chair Beverly Stein said she supported the program. “It’s entirely appropriate that we provide these at the branches. I take very seriously the mission of the county, part of which has to do with public health.”

Posted August 16, 1999.

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Mother Opposes Condom Machine
in Library Restroom