LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Nov. 10, 1999--``If it takes a Weenie Baby to help someone be prepared in a sexual encounter, why not?'' says Cherie Magnus, the owner and founder of vive la difference! Safer Sex Choices for Women (www.viveladifference.com). Magnus has conceived an original safer sex gift line that strongly appeals to women, because, as she says, ``It is the women who are most at risk for STD's and, of course, pregnancy.''

Weenie Babies are little plush toys with clear plastic tummies containing six men's condoms in two colors. The Horny Devil and the Love Bug carry red and black condoms, and the Do Bee Safe, yellow and black. If requested, a pink gift tag is included with any one of eight messages, from Happy Divorce to Bon Voyage and Back to School.

``There's no reason safer sex can't be fun, too,'' Magnus says.

But in peddling her products, she's learned that many people associate condoms with being promiscuous.

``'Nasty' is a word I hear often, but I always answer that, instead of being nasty, condoms are intelligent. What's nasty are AIDS and herpes and any other of 20 STD's, plus unwanted children who end up being abused.''

Other original products in the vive la difference! gift line are a Formal Affairs Gift Pack, a Cup O'Condoms, and seasonal items such as the Millennium Bucket of Rubber.

What started Magnus' idea of marketing men's condoms to women was the need, as she saw it, for helping women more easily purchase the right condom without checkstand embarrassment. The core vive la difference! product is a pink box with white roses of 12 name-brand men's condoms by four manufacturers, in three sizes, three flavors, and three colors, including her booklet, ``The Hows & Whys of Getting Your Man to Wear a Condom.''

vive la difference! aims to provide the security of one-box sexual protection shopping in untraditional condom markets -- hair salons, lingerie stores, hotel hospitality packages, bath and body shops, spas and the feminine hygiene sections of chain stores. Further information and/or ordering can be had via the company's toll-free number: 800/619-7779.

Contact:
vive la difference!, Los Angeles
Cherie Magnus, 323/666-2687