Two gel bracelets; the Make Poverty History white "awareness bracelet" and a "GODSTRONG" band

Gel bracelets or jelly bracelets are an inexpensive type of wristband similar to a large diameter O-ring. They come in a variety of colors, and dozens can be worn on each arm. They have been popular in waves throughout the Western world and elsewhere since the 1980s.^[1] One style of these wristbands, known as "awareness bracelets", carry embossed messages demonstrating the wearer's support of a cause or charitable organization.^[2] Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... // The Make Poverty History campaign (which is written as MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY) was a British and Irish coalition of charities, religious groups, trade unions, campaigning groups and celebrities who mobilized around the UKs prominence in world politics in 2005 to increase awareness and pressure governments into taking actions towards relieving absolute... Wristbands are encircling strips worn on the wrist, made of any of a variety of materials depending on the purpose. ... Typical O-ring and application An O-ring is a loop of elastomer with a round (o-shaped) cross-section used as a mechanical seal. ... Occident redirects here. ... This article is about charitable organizations. ...

Charity "awareness bracelets"

"Awareness bracelets" gained in popularity in the 2004 when the Lance Armstrong Foundation introduced its trademark yellow Livestrong wristband to raise support for cancer research.^[3] By early 2005, silicone wristbands became popular with many charities, such as Make Poverty History and the BBC's Beat Bullying campaign. Other wristbands include wristbands for breast cancer (pink), diabetes (various colors), epilepsy (half blue, half red), Hurricane Katrina (ocean blue mixed with white), Wriststrong (red), and AIDS (red, made only in Africa). In general, the color of the band describes its cause, and the colors are often the same as the colors of awareness ribbons. Lance Armstrong at LAF Community Program Conference The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) is a United States charitable organization that provides support for people with cancer. ... The LIVESTRONG wristband The Livestrong wristband is a yellow silicone wristband (a gel bracelet) launched in May of 2004 as a fund-raising item for the Lance Armstrong Foundation, founded by cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. ... Cancer research is research into cancer in order to identify causes and develop strategies for prevention, diagnosis, treatments and cure. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... // Legal definitions A charity is a trust, company or unincorporated association established for charitable purposes only. ... // The Make Poverty History campaign (which is written as MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY) was a British and Irish coalition of charities, religious groups, trade unions, campaigning groups and celebrities who mobilized around the UKs prominence in world politics in 2005 to increase awareness and pressure governments into taking actions towards relieving absolute... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... Breast cancer is cancer of breast tissue. ... This article is about the disease that features high blood sugar. ... This article is about the Atlantic hurricane of 2005. ... For other uses, see AIDS (disambiguation). ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... This is a list of awareness ribbons. ...

Urban legend

During a resurgence in popularity in 2003, gel bracelets became the subject of a widespread urban legend linking them to a supposed sex game explaining their popularity among young teenagers, they were subsequently dubbed "sex bracelets."^[1][4][5] According to rumors, girls who wore the jewelry implied they were willing to engage in various acts with whomever pulled them from their wrists; the acts ranged from hugging and kissing to sexual intercourse, and were determined by the bracelet's color. In October 2003, the rumors were prominent enough in Gainesville, Florida's Alachua Elementary School that the principal banned the bracelets to avert disruption and inappropriate comments about them.^[6] They were subsequently banned in other schools around Florida and elsewhere.^[1] The effectors of these early bans did not insinuate that the rumors were true; however, some later media reports suggested that they might have been,^[7] generating further concern, or even something of a moral panic.^[5] An urban legend or urban myth is similar to a modern folklore consisting of stories often thought to be factual by those circulating them. ... For the American rock band, see Kiss (band). ... It has been suggested that Duration of sexual intercourse be merged into this article or section. ... Location in Alachua County and the state of Florida Coordinates: , Country State County Incorporated (city) 15 April 1869 Government  - Type Council-manager  - Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan  - City Manager Russ Blackburn Area [1]  - City 49. ... This article is about the U.S. State of Florida. ... Moral panic is a sociological term, coined by Stanley Cohen, meaning a reaction by a group of people based on the false or exaggerated perception that some cultural behavior or group, frequently a minority group or a subculture, is dangerously deviant and poses a menace to society. ...

Different versions associate different colors with sex acts (similar to the real-life handkerchief code), for instance, purple may be associated with kissing, red with lapdancing and black with intercourse. Some versions claim the involved action occurs at parties held for the purpose, making them similar to contemporary rumors of "rainbow parties," a gathering at which groups of girls wearing varying shades of lipstick supposedly take turns fellating their classmates, leaving an array of colors on their penises; other tales of teenage sex parties have circulated at various times. Folklorist Barbara Mikkelson of snopes.com associates the "sex bracelet" stories with similar ones of the past.^[1] In the 1970s, pulltabs from aluminum cans and labels from beer bottles were considered "sex coupons" and obligated any girl presented with one to sleep with the bearer; by the 1990s the rumors shifted to include an assortment of plastic items, including some worn as bracelets. According to Mikkelson, there is likely little truth behind the stories, and the vast majority of teenagers who contact her site express shock and disappointment that so many have believed them. The handkerchief code, also known as the hanky code, bandana code or flagging is a way of indicating, usually among gay male casual sex seekers or BDSM practitioners in leather subculture in the US, Canada & Europe, whether they are a top or bottom, and what kind of sex they are... A lap-dance is a specific type of erotic dance, in which the patron is seated, and the dancer is either in immediate contact with the patron, or within a very short distance. ... A rainbow party is purportedly a group sex event involving fellatio. ... Lipstick is a cosmetic product containing pigments, oils, waxes, and emollients that applies color and texture to the lips. ... Fellatio is oral sex performed upon the male human penis. ... A sex party is a gathering at which people meet for sexual intercourse. ... Folkloristics is the formal academic study of folklore such as fairy tales and folk mythology in oral or non-literary traditions. ... Snopes, also known as the Urban Legends Reference Pages, is a website dedicated to determining the truth about many urban legends, Internet rumors, email forwards, and other such stories of uncertain or questionable origin. ... The pull-tab opening mechanism characteristic of post-1970s drinking cans. ... Assortment of beer bottles A beer bottle is a glass (or, less commonly, plastic) container filled with beer. ...

Notes

The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 241st day of the year (242nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The St. ... The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ... The Gainesville Sun (ISSN 0163-4925) is a newspaper published daily in Gainesville, Florida, covering the north centeral portion of the state. ...

References

• Guide to wristbands (BBC Newsround)
• Secret sexual messages of charity bands (The Scotsman, June 15, 2005)