Lifestyle: U. alum sells safe sex crib notes

University graduate Louise Postal sells rubbers. But it wasn't anything she learned at the University. In fact, when she graduated in 1972, the art history major had no idea where her ambitions would lead her. After receiving her college degree, Postal studied art history at the University of Chicago and Columbia University and participated in several architectural restoration projects. Two years later, Postal became an executive at Judy Bond Inc., a clothing manufacturer and continued to work in the manufacturing business for 18 years. Postal said she left her job after becoming frustrated by the heterosexual population's ambivalence toward the increasing number of AIDS-related deaths. She decided to sell safe sex products. "I didn't think the heterosexual community was taking [AIDS] seriously," she said. "The heterosexuals in this country are in denial. They're denying the extent to which the disease is spreading, and how fast it's spreading." "Everyone who's sexually active is at risk," she added. Postal said she also thinks that many Americans are unaware of safe sex practices. "The best message of safe sex is just not getting out to the community," she said. "A lot of schools around the country cannot teach safe sex. Teachers can't bring condoms into class. And parents are still embarrassed to talk about safe sex. The government hasn't been explicit enough in its education." Postal joined forces with Marcia Bisgyer, an old friend and interior designer, to form Safety Works, Inc. The duo "embarked on a crusade" to provide the public with clear information about safe sex. "We felt giving people the crib notes to safe sex and the products made it easier to have safe sex," Postal said. After gathering information and advice from health experts and administrators, Postal and Bisgyer began selling "The Safer Sex Kit." The kit provides all the high-quality, brand-name products needed to perform safe sex. The contents of the kit include: four condoms, one bottle of lubricant with nonoxynol-9, two latex dental dams, 10 latex finger cots, 10 special wipes, three spermicidal films and 10 latex gloves. The kit also includes a 13-page booklet which is a simply worded "how-to" guide to safer sex. It offers sensible safe sex advice and has special sections about tricky subjects like removing a condom. Safety Works sells its "Safer Sex Kit" to the public, as well as to colleges, health services and clinics.