LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Safe:Safe is Sexy |
by Sal Seeley |
Hey guys! It's safer sex Sal. I am hoping that everyone has had a chance to look at the new postcards that hit the street last week. If not, get thee to many of the bars, B&Bs, restaurants and stores, that support the CAMPsafe program. Look for the postcard display that will have the six postcards that will be distributed during the summer. The theme of this year's campaign is Safe is Sexy.
(Photos: volunteers at the CAMPsafe condom wrapping party. Left; Evan Bush, Meir Yesayaahu, Sal Seeley, Rich Carroll, Harvey Chasser Right; Cathin Bishop, Laura Simon, Thom Swiger, David Holder, and Steve Sage) You may be asking yourself, "How many ways can this guy spin safer sex?" Well, I am going to keep trying. I would like it if nobody at the beach this summer had a change in HIV status. I don't want a single man or woman to become positive this entire summer (or anytime for that matter). I would, however, like for men and women to start taking responsibility for their health and the health of the gay community. How many times have you used or heard the expression "the glass is half full or glass is half empty?" Let's take the words glass out and add sex and safety. There are a couple of ways that you can look at sex and safety. You can look at it as an inconvenience or as a new way of caring. You can also look at it as a necessity of modern life. It is any of these and all of these. Safety is a necessity of modern life and it is a new way of caring. Lets face it, when we are out looking for a little fun, we are probably looking for something a little more. Yes, it is fun to meet a sexy man and have a good time but isn't it more fun to meet a sexy man who cares and then have a little fun? Of course it is! Care enough about yourself and your partner or partners to be safe. Safe is sexy. Make it your perspective. Be safe. Be sexy. Be prepared. Meeting someone who knows their HIV status and cares enough to discuss it with you is a wonderful thing. Meeting someone who cares enough to be prepared for some fun with condoms, lube and whatever else is required for a safe fun time is hot too! Having someone hand you a condom or take the time to put one on himself before the good stuff begins is pretty exciting too! Don't look at it as "he doesn't trust me" or it "ruins the moment," look at it as "he cares enough about me and himself to be safe." WOOF! I have had guys tell me that it ruins everything when things get going real hot and you have to stop and put on a condom. Make it part of what you do. Practice. Make it fun. Make it sexy. I will be perfectly honest with you, the first time or two that you do this it might be a little awkward. But practice will make it perfect and a change in perspective will make it easier. We have all tried different positions and different methods of just about everything that can be done in the bedroom. Try different ways of making them part of what you do. Maybe, try some different condoms and different lubes. Here at CAMP Rehoboth, we have one stop shopping for these items. I can always recommend something that you might want to try. So, if you want to change your perspective and see safe sex as good sex; if you want to see safe sex as a way of caring; if you want to see that Safe is Sexy; try the following things: Get tested. Know your status. Get comfortable talking about it. Learn about what is safe and what isn't. Arm yourself with knowledge. Empower yourself. Take control of your sexual health and safety. Talk to your partner. We have made it our business to be armed with all of the latest knowledge about safe sex practices. Just ask us. We are here at CAMP. Call us. We are on the beach and in the bars. Come talk to us. We will answer your questions or find someone who can. We are even on line. We are where you are and where you need us. Use us. Talk to us. Come see us. Be safe. Be sexy. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 13, No. 8, June 27, 2003 |