Sexually Suggestive Emojis Join NYC's Fight Against STDs

NEW YORK CITY, NY – Sexually suggestive emojis are leaving little to the imagination in the city's fight against syphilis.

A new ad campaign is using phallic-looking symbols – think eggplants – along with other suggestive images such as tacos and peaches to tackle an STD crisis that has seen huge rises in infection rates in the city.

The ads will appear in bus shelters and subway stations, on the gay hookup app Grindr, the Gay Ad Network, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

(For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

"Using emojis, it's using common currency of communication," Susan Blank, the city's Assistant Health Commissioner, told the Daily News.

The ad campaign comes as New New York City witnessed a 27 percent rise in syphilis infection rates between 2015 and 2016. Gonorrhea rose 13 percent and chlamydia – the most common STD – by 6 percent. The emojis' message? "Whether it's a fling or a serious thing, get tested."

"The increase in rates of sexually transmitted infection is a disturbing national trend that has had a widespread impact on this city," said Health Commissioner Mary Bassett.

"All sexually active New Yorkers should play safe, get screened regularly and have fun."

The city handed out 38 million free condoms last year, and Mayor Bill de Blasio is spending $23 million annually on STD prevention, the city said.

Also See: This Video Of Almost Every Emoji Is The Spiritual Experience You Didn't Know You Needed Today

Lead image from the NYC Dept. of Health