Many people around the world ignore standard sex education. Many countries and rights groups put a lot of emphasis on young girls’ abstinence from sexual activities and pregnancy. Unsafe sex is unhealthy for all people, including the LGBTQA+ community. It leads to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unplanned pregnancies, and sometimes poor life choices due to the limited information about safer sex.
Many people have some knowledge of sex between people of the opposite sex and have nasty feelings for the LGBTQA+ community. However, guiding the community group should be encouraged, just like those of heterosexual people. This will help reduce STIs, unwanted pregnancies, and high-risk sexual acts.
This article will give a detailed guide the LGBTQA+ people can use to ensure they engage in a safer sexual relationship without chances of exploitation by STIs and other challenges. We shall also see ways in which you can minimize the chances of fluid transmission during sex to reduce infection transmission.
Understanding Safer Sex?
We do not advocate for safe sex, as it is impossible to have 100 percent safe sex. However, it is possible to engage in safer sex which can reduce most of the problems associated with unsafe sex. Safer sex can be said to be any sexual act that reduces the chances of exploitation by STIs, unplanned pregnancies, and other challenges. It involves avoiding bodily fluids contacting each other during sex, as the fluids are responsible for transmitting the infections.
Common Risks LGBTQA+ Can Expose Themselves During Sex
Sex between AMAB
AMAB are people who were assigned male at birth. This means they both have a penis, and their sex will involve anal. Anal sex consists of the penis of one entering the anus of the male. When the penis penetrates the anus of the other, there may be cuts and tears in the anus of the other, which makes the contact of the body fluid easier. It increases the chances of transmitting HIV and other infections to each other. More cases of HIV are found within AMAB in people who unknowingly share it.
Sex between AFAB
AFAB are people assigned female gender at birth or those with a vulva. They may engage in oral, anal, or vaginal sex, posing infection risks. Common infections include Chlamydia, HPV, and Gonorrhea. AFAB may also have sex using toys that do not reduce the risk of transmitting the infections but increase it more.
Sex for Testosterone
A female on testosterone may notice drying on the vagina region, which increases cuts and tears around the area, exposing them to infections. An AMAB person can impregnate a testosterone person If they engage in unsafe sex.
Sex for Estrogen
A man on estrogen may have difficulties during erection. Estrogen relaxes the muscles of your penis, which makes you experience pain during sex. Sex between an AFAB person and a person with estrogen leads to unwanted pregnancy too.
Recommended Tips for Safer Sex
- Tip for AMAB
Ensure you are aware of the status of your partner.
This will help prevent the spread and transmission of STDs and HIV. Ensure you are tested and screened regularly. During sexual intercourse, find an external condom, and if you can’t access one, find free condoms via Condom Access Program (CAP).
- Tip for AFAB
Visit testing areas regularly to understand the status of your partner. Use various protective measures during sexual acts like dental dams and internal condoms. When using sex toys, ensure they are clean and disposed of after some time. You may also use an external condom.
- Tip for Testosterone
If you are on testosterone, use lube as your vagina may get dry because of testosterone. Visit the testing center too regularly and use protective tools during intercourse.
- Tip for Estrogen
When you develop pain in your penis, ensure to seek medication from a reputable facility. You may experience pain during sex caused by HRT, hormone replacement treatment for a person on estrogen. You must also use barrier protection during sex and regularly visit testing facilities.
More Tips for a Safer Sex for LGBTQA+ People
Know Your Body and Yourself
To engage in safer sex, you must determine what pleasure you want before considering your partner. This will enable you to give other pleasurable moments too. You should know what you like and don’t and share it with your partner. This will provide you with pleasant experiences during the act while keeping it safe.
Hand Sex
Hand sex involves touching each other’s genitals using fingers. It can be touching the outer areas or putting your fingers inside your partner’s genitals. For it to be safer, ensure you put on gloves; latex is commonly used. Use polyurethane gloves or nitrile material if you’re allergic to latex.
Oral Sex
It involves swallowing your partner’s genital parts. It’s riskier as there is direct contact with fluids. For oral sex on the penis, use a condom to trap the semen in it without contacting the recipient’s mouth. For oral sex on the anus and vulvas, use a dental dam, a thin latex that hinders contact between the mouth and the genitals. If you don’t get a dental dam, cut a condom open.
Sex with Genitalia
This is penetrative sex, where a penis enters a vagina or an anus. It is risky as body fluids are left far in the other person. Pregnancy and STI risks are high in this type of sex. The most recommended tip for safer sex here is using a condom and being vaccinated against STIs like hepatitis and HPV.
An LGBTQIA+ Guide to Having Safer Sex—Final Thoughts
Sex is a regular activity that people should be educated on, including the LGBTQA+ community. LGBTQA+ people require this critical information to enjoy safer sex like anyone else. As seen, safer sex reduces all risks, minor and significant, like STI transmission. The guidelines above help LGBTQA+ people to have safer sex like anyone else.
