Talking about the sex you like, or want to have, with the guy who is in front of you is not always an easy thing to do.
Depending on how well you know that person, it can be awkward, uncomfortable and fraught with making exceptions to whatever rules you have set for yourself, and most of those exceptions are about whether a condom is involved.
In most of the discussions around bareback sex we have with anxious clients here at WAAC or at the M Clinic, guys report that they knew it was a silly/dangerous/out-of-character/(insert your adjective here) thing to do but they just didn’t know how to talk about it.
Every circumstance is different, but all require a similar approach. Go into negotiations ‘boned up’ (if you’ll pardon the pun) with the right perspective.
Get the correct information about transmission of HIV and STIs. Make sure you are fully aware of the pros and cons of unprotected sex according to your circumstance. Have a frank and open discussion with your sexual partner. Make an informed choice.
Here at WAAC we have a suite of services designed to assist you in your informed choice – peer educators, friendly, free and accessible sexual health testing services, counsellors and workshops – and all are armed with up-to-date and validated information about HIV and STIs.
Of course, the central message remains. Protected sex means greatly reduced chances of HIV transmission. There would not be many out there who could say they have not heard of the safe sex message.
However, the cases of reported unprotected sexual activity have steadily increased and continue to do so.
At one end of the “Use of Rubbers” spectrum are the guys who will always use condoms for sex. At the other end of the spectrum, the guys who, for whatever reason, have decided to rip their rubbers off.
The rest of the spectrum is made up of those guys who use condoms most of the time but will occasionally ‘slip-up’ instead of ‘slip on’.
No matter where someone falls on that spectrum, WAAC can provide the support you need to make your informed choice based on the nuances of your circumstances.
For more information about the services that are available visit our websites – www.projectx.net.au or www.waaids.com – or call WAAC on 9482 0000 or the M Clinic on 9380 4922.
Steve Fragomeni
