A SAFE SEX GUIDE FOR LGBTQ FOLKS

The LGBTQ community is marred by stigmatization from heterosexuals and people alike, thus making it hard for people to spread awareness of the need to practice safe sex. Below is a comprehensive guide to safe sex practices for people in the LGBTQ community.

Sexual exploration is important regardless of where you lie on the sexuality spectrum because it helps you know what feels good and what doesn't sexually. LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual. It is a minority group that has had to go through running battles with people who do not agree with their views. However, no one deserves to be bashed because of their sexuality. Often, LGBTQ members lack the right know-how to practice safe sex. Regardless of being a minority, its members need proper reproductive and sexual care.

A Safe Sex Guide For LGBTQ Folks

Over the years, pro-LGBTQ folks have strived to ensure that people who are part of the LGBTQ community receive adequate services for their sexual health. In the US, for example, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs ensures that LGBTQ community patients receive adequate healthcare.

Learn Your Body

Often, folks and older people, especially millennials, bash the idea of masturbation, touching oneself for the illustrative purpose of pleasure. The mentality that someone will come along and help you explore your sexual side is nothing short of a vicious mentality that needs to be banished. Masturbation will help you know what feels good, where, and how and with that, you will be able to direct your partner on where to touch and pay the least attention. Masturbation and body mapping are two important steps to getting acquainted with your sexual side, especially for transgender and queer folks. Often, masturbation and body mapping are used interchangeably, which is wrong because the two terms are different, especially for sex therapists. Body mapping is familiarizing yourself with your body. It may be sexual or non-sexual while masturbating leans more on the sexual side.

Take Note Of Medications, Vaccines, And Screening Appointments

Prevention is better than cure. Fortunately, in cases of STIs, HIV, and pregnancy, you can take measures to ensure that you are on the safer side in case things turn left. According to Mubarik et al. (2022), gay men, for example, are at a high risk of contracting HIV due to indulgence in anal sex. Therefore, it is best that they, and other people in the community, get vaccinated against diseases such as HPV and Hepatitis A. Years back, the HPV vaccine was only administered to people assigned female at birth. However, in recent years, the vaccine was made compulsory for people aged 11 and 26. It is also essential for people to embrace PrEP – Pre-exposure prophylaxis, medication given to an HIV-negative person to reduce the risk of contracting HIV. On matters of pregnancy, it is only a risk if the involved parties have the anatomy for it. Talk with your health care provider about the safest birth control options available if you are not ready to handle the effects and risks of pregnancy.

Practice Safe Sex

Safe sex is essential, especially for sexually active folks. There are various options, from dental dams to condoms, finger cots, and gloves. There are two types of condoms; internal and external condoms. External condoms come in handy, especially during oral sex, to contain semen. Gilden et al. (2022) suggested that You could also use condoms with sex toys to prevent body fluids from coming in contact with the toy's exterior. Internal condoms are used during penetrative sex, any sexual act that involves the interior of the vagina, anus, and the front hole. Lew et al. (2022) revealed that dams are used during anilingus or cunnilingus. Mental dams are more common, especially among people who engage in oral sex.

Be Clear About Consent

• Sexual consent is essential before two adults engage in any intimate acts. It is more of an agreement that two people have agreed to engage in certain sexual acts. Sexual consent is ethically and legally required. Therefore, it is paramount that you create the perfect environment where your partner will be safe so that both of you can experience mutual pleasure. However, some people do not know how to ask for consent. You can try the phrases below if you have been asking for consent the wrong way;
• "Can I rub my hand across your thigh?"
• "What do you think about getting a butt plug?"
• "I took this sexy nude; do you mind if I share it with you?"

Ensure you get your partner's verbal consent before engaging in any non-sexual act. It is because one may misread certain non-verbal cues.

Communicate

Communication is the focal point of all sexual activities. Communication entails all the dos and don'ts you feel you and your partner need to adhere to. For example, you need to be clear about your sexual desires. Tell them about the role play ideas you have always harbored, and in turn, you can ask them about their kinks and how best you can tap into their sexual energy. Using safe words that will come in handy during sexual encounters is best. Safe words are essential because they help your partner know when to stop what they are doing or proceeding. Some popular safe words include "radish" and "pickle." However, you can invent a safe word that feels comfortable to you and your partner.

The Bottom Line

Regardless of where you fall on the sexuality spectrum, sexual exploration is vital because it allows you to learn what feels good and what doesn't sexually. The LGBTQ community is marred by stigmatization because most people do not side with what they stand for. However, it is paramount that LGBTQ+ people receive the appropriate care, information, and resources about safe sex practices. Ensure you practice safe sex if you are an LGBTQ member or outside the community. Consider factors leading to infection of HIV/AIDs. Use a condom when having anal sex with your partner. Communicate with your partner to help learn their sexual desires. Let your partner know to consent if having sex with you and being in the LGBTQ family. The article above offers the best guide if you are unsure about safe sex practices.

References

Gilden, A., & Rajec, S. R. W. (2022). Pleasure Patents. Bcl Rev., 63, 571.

Lew, C., Fairley, C. K., Tran, J., Phillips, T. R., Aung, E. T., Maddaford, K., ... & Chow, E. P. (2022). Sexual Activities And Changes In Condom Use In Group Sex Events Among Female Sex Workers In Melbourne, Australia. Frontiers In Public Health, 10, 834901.

Mubarik, M., Hagan Jr, J. E., Aduko, A. W., Abubakari, K. S., Yemisi, O. M., & Asabia, P. (2022). I Am Assessing Sexual Behavior Patterns Among Student-Athletes Of Senior High Schools In The Upper East Region, Ghana. Sexes, 3(1), 40-48.

Roth, G. H., Walker, E. R., Talley, C. L., & Hussen, S. A. (2022). 'It's The Very Grey, Messy Area': A Qualitative Examination Of Factors Influencing Undetectable Gay Men's Hiv Status Disclosure To Sexual Partners. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 1-16.