{"id":20024,"date":"2020-06-05T14:00:14","date_gmt":"2020-06-05T12:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/?p=20024"},"modified":"2024-06-25T08:06:02","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T06:06:02","slug":"a-safe-sex-guide-for-lgbtq-folks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lelo.com\/blog\/a-safe-sex-guide-for-lgbtq-folks\/","title":{"rendered":"A Safe Sex Guide for LGBTQ Folks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sexual relationships and intimacy are complicated. And when identity and sexual politics gets thrown into the mix, this can create an even more complex situation. Being communicative about a range of issues including sexual limits, identity politics, your STI and HIV status, and more can help create a safer and better sexual experience for all parties involved. Here are five tips to help you have a sexy and safe time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use Protection<\/span><\/h2>\n

Using protection is always a good idea. Even though sexual acts like oral are considered low-risk, there\u2019s still a chance you can catch something. STIs can be contracted through oral<\/a>, vaginal, an anal sex<\/a>, and to make things even worse, it can be spread through simple skin-to-skin contact without bodily fluids.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You may think using condoms is a total drag, but having an STI or STD (while, yes, they are common!) are a bigger drag to deal with. Even if you\u2019re using toys with your partner<\/a>, put a condom on them, and definitely change that condom and clean the toys between partners.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Practicing safer sex habits can greatly reduce your exposure to STIs and HIV, and in the long and help you have a healthier and happier sex life. Condom technology has come a long way<\/a> and you no longer have to compromise a lack of feeling for protection.<\/span><\/p>\n

Know Your Status<\/span><\/h2>\n

Knowing your STI\/STD status<\/a> is nothing to be ashamed of\u2014it\u2019s actually incredibly necessary. Getting tested should go right along with all your other annual health checkups, and possibly more frequently if the situation warrants it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Withholding your status, if positive, is actually <\/span>illegal in most states<\/span><\/a>, so taking control of your health is something that benefits everybody. There are resources for free and low-cost tests across the US, more information can be found <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be Open About Who You Are<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s good to be open about who you are, but sometimes that can be a scary topic to broach when it comes to discussing where you may fall on the gender and sexuality spectrum. It\u2019s up to you how little or how much you want to reveal in this context. However, the benefit to having these conversations earlier on can also give you a better idea of who your potential partner is as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be Communicative<\/span><\/h2>\n

Being communicative with your partner<\/span><\/a> is one major thing that can help make yourself feel comfortable and safe in a situation. By expressing what you\u2019re okay with, and speaking up when something doesn\u2019t feel right is very important.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having the ability to be open with your partner creates a space where both of you can share your sexual wants and desires. Communication is a two-way street and it is vital to be able to speak up for yourself inside and outside of the bedroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

Know Your Boundaries<\/span><\/h2>\n

Only you can <\/span>set your limits<\/span><\/a>, and knowing how far you\u2019re willing to take a situation is very important. You have to decide what\u2019s right for you, and it\u2019s always okay to change your mind no matter what. Remember, you\u2019re your own boss.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a queer woman who occasionally dates and hooks up with CIS* heterosexual men, the larger issue of my own sexual identity comes up. Often my queerness is mislabeled, or even worse overlooked, and requires a larger conversation. These chats let me define what queer means to me, while also explaining the larger nuances of my sexual and identity politics, and even my limits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Being open about where I\u2019m coming from and what my expectations are have helped alleviate some potentially very awkward situations and in the process has helped me learn about myself. Sex is supposed to be fun, and everyone involved should feel comfortable and safe. Remember if something feels off, and you don\u2019t feel like you are on the same page as your partner there is no shame in changing your mind and getting out of the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

*CIS is a descriptor that means you identify with the same gender you were assigned at birth.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sexual relationships and intimacy are complicated. And when identity and sexual politics gets thrown into the mix, this can create an even more complex situation. Being communicative about a range of issues including sexual limits, identity politics, your STI and HIV status, and more can help create a safer and better sexual experience for all parties involved. Here are five tips to help you have a sexy and safe time. Use Protection Using protection is always a good idea. Even […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":20025,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,929],"tags":[764,271,669,871],"coauthors":[1145],"class_list":["post-20024","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sexual-health","category-sexual-wellness","tag-lgbtq","tag-safety","tag-sexual-health","tag-sti"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nA Guide to Best Safe Sex Practices for LGBTQ Folks<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Even if most Sex Ed. classes pretend non-straight sex doesn't happen, it doesn't mean there aren't any risks. 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