Richmond’s health department wants to help you find free condoms for Valentine’s Day

A dozen roses may put a dent in your wallet this Valentine’s Day, but Richmond’s health department wants you to know that condoms don’t have to cost a thing.

More than 20 organizations as well as the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts are giving out free condoms as part of a statewide effort to promote safer sex and reduce the risk of spreading sexually transmitted infections. 

“Make this Valentine’s Day a night to remember, not a diagnosis you want to forget,” the district warned Friday. 

The condom distribution program runs year-round, overseen by the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Disease Prevention, which will order up to 100,000 condoms annually for local health departments and organizations that enroll. 

For public health officials, however, Valentine’s Day is a prime time to get the program on people’s radar. 

“Using a condom is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your sexual health,” said RHHD Director Dr. Elaine Perry, who urged Richmonders to “add condoms to your list when you are picking up flowers and chocolates.”

Nationwide, many condom distribution programs emerged in the 1990s in response to the AIDS epidemic, although today they target many other sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis as well. 

According to state health data, more than 54,000 STIs were reported in Virginia in 2024. Syphilis cases in particular are increasing both statewide and locally, rising by 117% in Richmond and 65% in Henrico between 2020 and 2024.

RHHD spokesperson Bryan Hooten said organizations that do federally funded STI/HIV testing generally have free condoms but recommended people call ahead to check availability. 

Besides RHHD sites, local organizations that have participated in the Condom Distribution Program over the last two years are: 

• Seven Hills Family Medicine
• VCU Emergency Medicine
• VCU Ryan White Program
• Virginia League of Planned Parenthood
• VCU School of Nursing - Mobile Health and Wellness Program
• River City Harm Redux
• Behavioral Health Group
• VDH Eastern Henrico Health District
• VCU Family and Youth Research Network
• Health Brigade
• OAR of Richmond, Inc.
• Daily Planet Health Services
• The Haven Shelter
• Minority Health Consortium
• Behavioral Health Group
• CrossOver Health Ministry
• Side by Side VA
• Sentara Community Care Richmond
• Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition
• Big Gay Market / TransJamRVA
• Infectious Disease Specialists PC
• Nia Community Development Corporation
• Harry Co

Contact Reporter Sarah Vogelsong at svogelsong@richmonder.org