Safer Sex is Hot Sex.... bring the movement back!

Our Mid-December SAFETY NET message is:

Safer sex is HOT sex. See why at http://hglhc-safety-net.blogspot.com/. A message from the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective. Be Well. Be Yourself.

In the 90's, there was a big push for the "safer sex is hot sex" campaign to bring awareness about HIV prevention through the practice of safer sex-- using condoms to during anal (and oral) sex to prevent the body-fluid exchange* that can cause HIV infection.

Let's bring back hot, sexy, horny, amazing, safe, fun, passionate, amazing sex! We can enjoy ourselves and avoid HIV and STDs if we all agree to use condoms each and every time we have sex. Keep yourselves and your partners & loved ones safe. Safer sex is hot sex!

http://www.safesexishotsex.com/

*Did you know.... the main bodily fluids that can transmit HIV are:

1. Semen (aka cum, jizz, ejaculate, cream, load, wad, etc!) If you have any other fun word suggestions.... add them as a response to this post! ;)


2. Blood (through sharing needles used for drugs or hormones or other purposes, or also if delicate tissue on/in/around the anus or penis tears or gets cut during sex)


3. Vaginal fluids (when having sex with a woman, this is the "wetness" or lubrication in and around a woman's vagina)


4. Breast milk (specifically, when transmitted from mother to child)

You can always get safe, confidential testing at the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective and talk with an HIV counselor, STD nurse or doctor about your sexual health concerns and get tested in a caring, judgment-free environment.

Or, find your nearest HIV testing site by going to: http://hivtest.org/

Be Well. Be Yourself!

Love from your Safety Net friends
at the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective <3

Whether you've been naughty or nice this year...

... it's always a good idea to stay in charge of your health. Why not stop in for a routine HIV and STD testing as a holiday gift for yourself and your partner or partners?

Make an appointment at HGLHC for services including STD diagnosis and treatment, HIV counseling and testing, Hepatits A&B screening and immunization, and a variety of social and health/wellness groups for the LGBTQIA and HIV/AIDS communities.

More info on all that HGLHC has to offer: http://www.hglhc.org

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

HIV and AIDS in Connecticut... yes, it's happening here.

Facts about HIV/AIDS in Connecticut:
Unless otherwise noted, statistics from the CT Dept. of Public Health HIV/AIDS Surveillance Reports

• Since 1980, there have been 19,123 reported cases of HIV/AIDS in Connecticut.
• 10,860 people are living with HIV/AIDS in the state as of 12/31/2008.
• Nearly 20,000 people in CT are estimated to be living with HIV; up to 30% of those infected with HIV are unaware of their HIV+ status.
• CT ranks 14th in the nation in AIDS cases per capita.
• In 2005, CT had the fastest growing rate of AIDS in New England. (Kaiser Family Foundation, State Health Facts)
• In 2008, 14% of newly reported cases of HIV/AIDS were in people under the age of 29.
• Proportionately, Connecticut leads the nation in the number of AIDS cases among injecting drug users; third in cases among women; and third in the nation in cases among Latinos and Latinas. (Kaiser Family Foundation, State Health Facts)

Safety Net is an important way to reach all of our communities in Connecticut to let them know that HIV/AIDS is important and still relevant, even though it may not be at the forefront of public health awareness issues. You can keep yourself safe by using condoms correctly every time you have sex with your parnter(s). You can help keep your friends safe by participating in Safety Net to text or email them about the importance of safer sex and HIV prevention, and having important conversations with them about these issues.

-Jamie
Safety Net Project Captain

October's Safety Net Message!

The Safety Net message for October:

Be sure to check your candy this Halloween. ;) HIV&STD testing at HGLHC. More info at www.hglhc.org or http://hglhc-safety-net.blogspot.com

The Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective (HGLHC) offers confidential and compassionate HIV rapid testing (results in 20 minutes) and STD testing and treatment. We specialize in serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning community and our straight/heterosexual allies, as well.

Call HGLHC at 860-278-4163 or send a confidential email to me, Jamie, at jamieb@hglhc.org (the Safety Net project captain and author of this blog!) and I would be happy to make on appointment to see you for HIV counseling and testing, or to set you up with an appointment with any of our caring staff and volunteers, including HIV counselors, our STD nurse, doctors, and medical professionals.

And some words of wisdom from my good friend Darth Vader, who might be making an appearance at the RainbowRoom Halloween Dance...



Yes, he's holding a glow in the dark condom! They're the perfect accessory for any Halloween costume, really...

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Jamie~~
~~ The Safety Net Team @ HGLHC

Trick or Treat!

Too old to trick or treat this year? Satisfy your sweet tooth @ HGLHC with delicious condoms and sexxxy lubes in delicious candy flavors-- strawberry, banana, vanilla, butterscotch, fresh peach, kiwi, berry-licious, cool mint, and bubblegum blast!

Have a VERY happy Halloween! Safe sex is hot sex, and you can get your fix of the flavors you crave at HGLHC with our free flavored condoms, lubricants, and dental dams.

Unsure about what costume to wear to those fun Halloween events going on this year, like HGLHC's Halloween Bingo @ Marco Polo on Halloween Night (10/31), 6:30 PM, or the RainbowRoom Youth Halloween Dance, the under 21 dance at the Pond House in West Hartford?? Condoms make a great costume accessory-- Mardi Gras Miguel tosses beads, flavored condoms and lubes -- "catch prizes, not STDs!"

Having safer sex (using condoms or other barriers) means you can have more fun, because you don't have to have any worry even a little bit about the risks of HIV and STDs associated with having unprotected sex. Take care of yourselves-- you're worth it!

Speaking of trick or treating, one way you don't want to be tricked is by having a hookup before talking about your HIV status with your partner. HIV is a big deal-- there is no cure, and it can seriously impact your life and your health. Know your status: get tested at HGLHC or at your nearest HIV testing site. And talk to your partners before you have sex about their status. Encourage your partners to get tested if they haven't had a recent test (in the last 6 months, or with any new partners, especially if they had unprotected sex).



--The Safety Net Team

Safety Net Volunteers

Bottoms Up!

Bottoms up! "Come" prepared with condoms if you are going to the bar tonight. Free safer sex goodies like condoms, dental dams, and lubricants (lube) always @ HGLHC. Stop by and visit us!

Heading out to the club this weekend? Think ahead and take condoms with you, just in case! You might not make the best choices about safer sex when you're drinking, so be prepared by carrying condoms with you for you and your friends.

You can always get free condoms at the Hartford Gay & Lesbian Health Collective @ 1841 Broad Street in Hartford-- we have lots of varieties to choose from!



OUR CONDOM BAR INCLUDES.....

Durex Maximum Love Lubricated Condoms

• thin condoms that contain extra silky smooth lubricant for a natural experience
• unique "Easy-On" design makes protecting yourself quick, easy and pleasurable
  

LifeStyles Kiss Of Mint Unlubricated Condoms

• Condom has no lubrication but a delicious minty flavored powder
  
• Great for oral sex- no taste of "wet lube!" Kiss of mint refreshment!
  

Kimono Special Lubricated Condom

• Kimono Special condoms. Kimono Special is Extra sensitive, yet strong and reliable, the Kimono Special is 20% thinner than standard condoms.
  
• Manufactured to Kimono's strict standards and specifications, the Kimono Special is Form-fitting contour shape, reservoir tip and an exceptional condom.

Durex Rainbow Colors Condoms

• Lubricated latex condoms
• Classic shaped condoms in fun, colorful latex
  
• Available in red, blue, green, pink and orange.
  

Durex Avanti NON-LATEX Condoms

• Durex Avanti condoms are made from a unique polyurethane material that is odorless
• It's important to use non-latex condoms if you or your partner(s) have a latex allergy! Avanti condoms can be used by the small percentage of the population (typically 1-3%) that are sensitive to natural rubber latex.
  
• Unlike natural latex, polyurethane condoms are resistant to oil-based lubricants. If you are using a latex condom, however, it is important that you only use water-based lubricants.
  

Stop in and pick up your free safer sex kits including some of these condoms so you can be ready for the weekend!

We also have rapid HIV testing and STD testing and treatment so you can take care of business before you get down to business.


Be Well. Be Yourself!



xoxoxo, The Safety Net Team

More Info on Barebacking.... [click this title]

And another great article from gay.com on barebacking. Stay safe y'all!

xoxox-
safety net team

Wanna ride bareback? Join a rodeo.

Having unprotected sex, also known as barebacking or bareback sex, puts both sexual partners at a higher risk for HIV and other STDs. Use a condom correctly every time you have sex so you don't have to worry about this serious risk.

Wrap it up. Ride on, cowboy.

Condom Country Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Jnf_gNKdMM

Be Well. Be Yourself!


xoxox,
--the Safety Net team at HGLHC