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Education
This section is broken into four areas; Definitions, Coming Out, Safe Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections. When it comes to Safe Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections, the information supplied here is only a guide, you should seek professional advice from your Doctor or Medical Staff.
· Definitions
· Coming Out
· Safe Sex
· Sexually Transmitted Infections
Definitions
Biphobia: The fear and hatred or, or discomfort with, people who are bisexual.
Bisexual: A person who is emotionally and/or sexually oriented towards both sexes. Once viewed primarily as a phase of gay or lesbian development, bisexuality is now regarded as a valid, independent sexual identity.
Gay: A common and acceptable term for male homosexuals, but often used for both genders as well as for the gay community in general.
Gender identity: Usually conforms to societal general norms and usually congruent with a person’s expression and sex.
Gender: A psychosocial construct used to classify a person as male, female or neither.
Heterosexism: The assumption that being heterosexual is the only 'normal' and 'correct' type of lifestyle, and in fact superior to alternative relationships. Heterosexism is the systematic and institutional oppression of the LGBTIQ population. Sometimes, even if individual people are not bigots or homophobes, institutions and cultural norms may be discriminatory or even oppressive by favouring heterosexual people at the expense of non-heterosexual people. Such institutions and norms are heterosexist, and people who do not protect against them or resist them also may be said to be heterosexist. Not all heterosexuals are homophobic, but all homophobes are heterosexist.
Heterosexual: A person who is emotionally and/or sexually attracted to persons of the opposite sex.
Homophobia: Just as individual people can be racial, ethnic or religious bigots, individuals can be homophobes or can suffer from homophobia. Homophobia is the irrational fear of gay people or any behaviour, belief or attitude in self or others which doesn't conform to rigid sex-role stereotypes. It is a fear of homosexuality and homosexual people of all things associated with homosexuality. Some people who experience homophobia simply avoid gay and lesbian people, places, events and topics of conversation. The extreme behaviour of homophobia is violence against homosexuals.
Homosexual: A clinical term first used over a century ago, often used inaccurately, to label people who are emotional, physically, and/or sexually attracted or committed to members of the same sex. Used appropriately, it refers to affectional and or sexual behaviour between people of the same sex.
Intersex people: Are born with chromosomal and/or physiological anomalies and/or ambiguous genitalia.
Lesbian: A term originating from the Greek Isle of Lesbos, is one of the oldest, most common and most preferred terms for female homosexuals.
LGBTIQ: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer.
Queer: Originally a synonym for "odd" or "unusual," the word evolved into an anti-gay insult and is sometimes still used in a derogatory manner. For many LGBTIQ persons, the word 'queer' still has a negative connotation however, it has now been reclaimed by the gay and lesbian community as a unifying umbrella term for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, and/or intersex.It is generally only used by members of the the LGBTIQ community.
Sex: The anatomy and biology that determines whether one is female/male.
Sexual identity: How a person sees himself or herself physically, eg as male or female.
Sexual orientation: Which sex is erotically attractive: opposite (hetero), same (homo) or both (bi)
Transgender/ism: Umbrella term used to describe those who have a gender identity, expressions or behaviours not traditionally associated with their birth sex. Often mistakenly used as a synonym for transsexualism.
Transsexual/ity: A minority within the transgender community who undergo their gender transition to live full-time in the gender that corresponds with their identity.
Transvestite: An individual who dresses in the clothing of the opposite gender for a variety of reasons.
Coming Out
Coming Out: A Journey
Why Come Out?
If you are questioning whether you really need to come out to others, remember that it is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself. It is also a powerful thing you can do for others, as public opinion shows that people who know someone gay are more likely to support our quest for equality. Coming out is a big step in your life, and it contributes to a giant leap for all GLBT people, today and in the future.
Coming Out to Yourself
Coming out to yourself is the first part of your journey. If the idea of coming out is new to you, however, you may wonder what exactly does "coming out" mean? How do you know if you are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender? What are the facts about sexuality and gender identity? How can you tell if you are bisexual? What does transgender mean?
Coming Out to Others
After coming out to yourself, a common next step is to come out to others. Some people find that testing the waters before coming out to friends and family is helpful. Others find that coming out online is a good way to begin talking to others. Some GLBT people also must navigate how to come out to their children.
Coming Out Throughout Life
Even after coming out to yourself and the important people in your life, you will find that coming out is a lifelong journey that requires that you make frequent decisions about whether to come out to someone new. For example, GLBT people must make coming-out decisions in the workplace, the military, with a health care provider and in a place of worship. Coming out truly is a never-ending journey.
© 2007 Utah Pride Center :: 361 North 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84103 :: 801-539-8800
Web Link: http://utahpridecenter.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=44
Safe Sex
Safe sex is any sexual activity that does not allow semen, vaginal fluid or blood to pass from one person into the bloodstream of another person. HIV negative or HIV positive, safe sex is everyone’s responsibility.
There are some sexual activities that are safe and do not present a risk for HIV transmission.
Kissing - Kissing is safe because it does not involve semen, vaginal fluid or blood. Saliva does not transmit HIV.
Massage - All forms of sexual enjoyment with only skin contact, such as massage or body stroking, have no risk of HIV transmission.
Receiving oral sex - The chance of contracting HIV from someone else’s mouth is remote.
Rimming - Rimming is safe for HIV but many other serious illnesses such as Hepatitis A and B as well as gut bugs are easily passed on this way.
Mutual Masturbation - Touching and rubbing each other’s penis or vagina is safe. However, there are some circumstances under which mutual masturbation can be unsafe:
Cuts or sores on the hands and on the penis or vagina;
Using someone else’s pre-cum, cum or vaginal fluid as a lubricant;
Rubbing the penis underneath the foreskin of another persons penis when cuts are present or if pre-cum or cum are exchanged through the opening of the penis; and
Rubbing the vagina against another vagina where cuts are present or blood or vaginal fluids are exchanged.
UNSAFE SEX
Unsafe sex is any sexual activity that allows semen, vaginal fluid or blood to pass from one person into the bloodstream of another person.
Unsafe sexual practices include:
Intercourse without a condom - Anal or vaginal intercourse without a condom represents a real risk of HIV transmission. Whether you are the insertive or receptive partner, male or female, intercourse is the major way HIV is passed on. Infected blood, pre-cum or semen can enter the bloodstream through the lining of the rectum or the vaginal wall. From the lining of the rectum, the virus can pass through tiny cuts or through the opening of the penis. HIV can also be present in vaginal fluids or blood that enters the penis through tiny cuts or through the opening of the penis. Either partner can get HIV during intercourse. HIV is also found in pre-cum and withdrawing before ejaculation is not safe sex.
Giving oral sex - Oral sex without ejaculation carries a very small risk for transmitting HIV from the penis or the vagina to the mouth of the receptive partner. Taking blood, semen or vaginal fluids into your mouth will increase the risk. This is especially so if you have any cuts or bleeding caused by flossing and teeth brushing, gum disease, ulcers or other throat infections.
Copyright © 2009, ACON - AIDS Council of New South Wales. All rights reserved.
Web Link: http://www.acon.org.au/health/index.cfm?doc_id=1145&cat_id=30
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are common all around the world. They may be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. You may think that only other people get STIs and that you are not at risk of catching one, but anybody who is sexually active can be infected if they do not practice safe sex. You can’t tell just by looking at a person that they have an STI. If you have unprotected sex with a person infected with an STI, you are at high risk of catching that infection.
Sexually transmissible infections include chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes, scabies, pubic lice (crabs), hepatitis and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS).
It is recommended that you talk to your doctor about having a check–up, even if you do not have any signs or symptoms of an STI.
For more information visit www.whytest.org
Last Updated 19 Feb 2009
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