Do you use protection?

Question

MrKinktastic · Accepted Answer

I have a lot of friends in the old guard leather world. HIV killed off almost 1/3rd of them and ravaged their communities and support networks in a few short years. It is impossible to truly describe how painful those times were to someone who isn’t aware of what life was like for people who were homosexual or had other alternative sexual lifestyles in the 80s.

For many, especially the younger queer generation who had been kicked onto the streets by conservative parents, there was nowhere to go other than these communities like San Francisco. When they found their safe haven they were immediately scapegoated for causing the HIV crisis when they were it’s primary victim. Medical attention and positive coverage was for hetero couples; queers and drug addicts need not apply.

Some were prosecuted as they tried to seek medical help and until the development of antivirals that worked, an HIV diagnosis was a one way ticket to the morgue. Everyone was powerless to fight it until we figured out what was going on and how to combat it. Many of my friends tell stories of how they sat by their life long partners bedsides and watched them waste away to a hollowed out shell and succumb to the illness.

If you’re barebacking during casual sex after the 80s, you are knowingly making it more likely something like this could happen again. While I’m very much a “you do you” person, this is one area I think its important we try to get everyone up to speed on.

Many take PreP to reduce their risk, this is helpful but only works on one of the HIV sub-types so you remain vulnerable to other strains of HIV as well as other STIs if you use it and don’t use a condom.

Condoms also help a lot with risk reduction. While not a 100% solution for all risk, they do significantly reduce your risk of most STIs.

Penetrative anal sex without a condom or sharing needles are the two riskiest forms of play for HIV and related viruses. Penetrative vaginal sex is slightly less, but still very risky. Oral has a small potential to share HIV but is significantly less likely to than other forms of sex. Kissing is generally considered fairly safe but if either of you have an open cut (like bleeding gums) this becomes much riskier.

Of course, it’s exceptionally unlikely to catch HIV from a handjob/fingering and if you follow basic precautions like making sure your hands have no cuts on them and washing them immediately after make this risk functionally 0. Well-cleaned toys also fall in this risk category.

So basically, don’t be shitty/don’t shame people who Bareback, but do try to help educate them and let them know it’s not something to brag about. If you push them further into shame they just become impossible to reach and will leave to avoid the shame feelings and go back to what they were doing.

RobT312 · Accepted Answer

We are engaged and ready for kids so we are taking the risk now

Anemone978 · Accepted Answer

Condoms even married because im not on birth control

MuskratLove · Accepted Answer

Always!

Lliam · Answer

Protection. Every girlfriend I ever had was on the pill, so no condoms. I only used condoms a few times during encounters with non partners.

coachTanthony · Answer

Pull and pray all the way through May lol

SnowedIn · Answer

Not any more. Married, she's had her tubes tied, and we're monogamous.

NathanDavis · Answer

I do like Protection...

Paige90 · Answer

I have an IUD so no condoms

AviatorTom · Answer

At my age, there's no risk of pregnancy...

iron_ninjs · Answer

Yes, I use protection, especially in the beginning of a relationship. But, if we're in a long-term relationship, not always.

exitseven · Answer

Yes, I never go out without my gun.

josephine2002 · Answer

I take the pill

Jerre · Answer

I hardly ever use a condom. I had a vesectomy many years ago and am STD tested monthly.

AFretiredTXn · Answer

I'm married and too old for that now.

Do you use protection?

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