SLOW
YOU DON’T NEED TO SLAM INTO REVERSE TO LEAVE THE FAST LANE.
Even if you already carry the AIDS virus, you can reduce your chances to get AIDS.
And you can continue to enjoy a healthy sexy gay life.
At least three-quarters of us in the gay community no longer practice unsafe sex, but we have not abandoned our sex lives. We are here to tell you that it can be done.
If you thought that the choice was between sex or life, please read on. You can have both.
SAFER SEX IS THE NEW RULE OF THE ROAD.
There are plenty of sexual practices that don’t spread AIDS. Mostly, these are the practices that don’t involve the exchange of body fluids. But it isn’t always dangerous to exchange body fluids. No AIDS case has ever been traced to kissing, for instance. And you won’t get AIDS by rubbing against someone’s sweaty body. The most important thing to avoid is unprotected anal sex. Other than with unshared sex toys, the only anal contact that is at all safe is with a condom, and even then you must take care to not break the rubber. Skin-to-skin anal sex is out. The Sexual Safety Card below tells you most of the specifics. Put it in your wallet and you’ll always have a handy guide. To keep your wits about you, avoid drug or alcohol excess; it ruins good judgement at just the wrong times, and it probably makes you more susceptible to disease anyway. Safer sex makes sense for any gay or bisexual man. If you don’t carry the AIDS virus, you can avoid getting it. If you do carry the virus, safer sex helps keep you healthy so that the AIDS disease won’t develop.
YOU’LL BE IN GOOD COMPANY
You may be surprised at the number of men who enjoy safer sex. You may have seen them already. The men who those yellow and black Safety Pins in the bars and baths. Wear the Safety Pin yourself. It’s a great way to say that you play safely. And who knows what that may do for your social life?
YOU’LL BE IN CONTROL.
Maybe the best thing about a safer sex life is that you’ll feel more in control of the rest of your life. You can live free of fear and guilt. Most of us do. The road ahead is just too dangerous. So slow down- just a little - and join the rest of us. The rest of us who follow the new rules of the road.
THE SEXUAL SAFETY CARD.
SAFEST
Mutual masturbation, Dry kissing, Body rubbing, Unshared sex toys
POSSIBLY SAFE
Using a condom during intercouse, Deep kissing, External watersports
UNSAFE
Intercourse without a condom, Fisting, Rimming, Oral sex, Watersports swallowed, Shared sex toys
Any activity that involves the exchange of body fluids may be dangerous. Any activity that weakens the body, such as drug or alcohol use, should be avoided.
Seattle/King Co. Department of Health, AIDS Information Line 587-4999, Northwest AIDS Foundation
Cut out the card to carry as a handy guide.
PLEASE BE SAFE.
THE NORTHWEST AIDS FOUNDATION
