Safer Sex

Talking about safer sex isn't easy. Practising it isn't easy either. Here
are some tips to make negotiating safer sex with your partner easier ...

First

• Get clear on your own comfort level for sexual activities ... and make sure
  it's based on accurate information.
• Only you know the level of risk that is acceptable to you. Express it, and
  most importantly, follow through.

Next

• Have lots of lube and condoms around for easy access - and let him see them!
• If something is happening that you don't like, change it. respect your feelings
  of discomfort. Like if he's rubbing his uncovered cock on your asshole and
  it's makin' you nervous, turn him over and jerk him off.

Safest

• Use a latex condom for anal (or vaginal) sex with lots of water-based lube
  (oil-based lubes break down condoms).
• Use a latex condom for each person when sharing sex toys .
• Use a condom for oral sex.

Riskier

• HIV has been transmitted by sucking cock without a condom. it is
  not risk-free.
• But if you don't use a condom for oral sex ...
• Ensure you have good oral hygiene. Bleeding gums or sores in the mouth present
  a way for HIV in cum to get into your bloodstream.
• Avoid brushing or flossing for at least an hour before sucking cock.
• Avoid taking cum in your mouth. If it happens, spit it out or swallow right
  away.
• Eliminate or cut down on popper use (they bring more blood to the surface
  of your skin, like inside your mouth, and that can make it easier for HIV
  to get into your bloodstream).
• Avoid sucking cock if you've had recent dental work ... wait 'til it's fully
  healed.
• Avoid sucking cock if you've had a recent lip piercing. again, wait 'til
  it's healed. Tongue piercings may never heal, so think about not getting one
  at all!
• Avoid sucking cock if you have any sores in your mouth or bleeding gums.
• Avoid heavy sucking like deep-throating. Irritation of the throat can weaken
  tissue and make transmission easier.

Riskiest

• Unprotected anal sex is the highest risk sexual activity for HIV transmission!
• But if you don't use a condom for anal sex...
• Use lots of lube and take plenty of time to relax the ass. Tears or fissures
  increase the likelihood of easy HIV transmission.
• Both HIV positive cum and pre-cum transmit HIV. Reducing the amount
  of cum in your ass may reduce risk. some guys pull out before coming.
• Remember you can't guess someone's HIV status. Not everyone tells the truth
  about their HIV status. And some guys might think they're negative
  when they're really positive.
• Eliminate or cut down on popper use (they bring more blood to the surface
  of your skin, like inside your ass, and that can make it easier for HIV to
  get into your bloodstream).
• If you use dildos or get into fisting, remember these can both leave tears
  in your asshole. Those tears can present a direct entry route for HIV. Do
  your ass-play on another day.
• Some guys try to reduce the risk by negotiating safety with their
  sex partner. Some guys feel it's ok to have condom-free anal sex in a monogomous
  relationship where they feel confident that their partner is negative. Or,
  they may choose to use condoms for sex outside of the relationship. Talk to
  your partner.
• HIV positive? Re-infection with a different (and maybe nastier) strain of
  HIV is a possibility. Some guys, poz and negative, also worry they might get
  a drug-resistant strain of the virus.
• Unprotected anal sex is high risk for HIV transmission.

got questions? call mwp or email men@avi.org
to talk more

Here is a link on how to put a condom on (they use a banana here).