County Chooses 'Next Sex Symbol'

An understated image of a bow tie with the words "Suit Up" was named Thursday the winner of the county's "L.A.'s Next Sex Symbol" condom-wrapper design contest aimed at spreading a message of safe sex.

The design was one of more than 500 submissions. More than 185,000 votes were cast online, and local graphic designer Adam Lyons' entry chosen as the best, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Division of HIV and STD Programs.

The inaugural contest was a part of an effort to encourage safe sex and raise awareness of disease prevention.

The top 10 designs will appear on about 1 million condom wrappers. The condoms will be distributed free throughout the county by ONE Condoms, according to program officials.

The top 50 condom wrapper designs were chosen by a panels of judges that included gossip columnist Perez Hilton and relationship expert and star of the Bravo show Miss Advised Julia Allison. The finalists and grand prize winner were chosen by the public.

Lyons will receive $750 in gift cards and a 19-inch LED TV with built-in DVD. The nine runners-up will receive $200 in miscellaneous gift cards.

According to health officials, an estimated 2,000 new HIV infections occur annually in Los Angeles County.