tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-621444505316856692024-02-02T15:54:37.690-08:00BeforeWeDo BlogBeforeWeDo is a sexual health service provider that empowers patients to receive HIV / STD testing and counseling in the privacy of their home. The company blog treats issues around sexual health (such as HIV, Chlamdyia, Gonorrhea, etc), data (e.g. prevalence or risk data) and best of all - sex. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-9513073553470562862013-11-30T21:39:00.000-08:002013-12-03T14:16:23.498-08:003 surprising global AIDS facts (feat. the HIV Story Project)<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At BeforeWeDo, we acknowledge the fact that a lot of the great work in sexual health that is being achieved today does not come from private industry. It is the foundations, the charity institutions and non-profits that are driving awareness and change in this country every day. Today, we want to feature one of them which caught our eye in San Francisco.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This non-profit was started by the two award-winning film directors <span id="docs-internal-guid-32220250-ac9d-ad59-d9be-a48a8e84df05"><a href="http://thehivstoryproject.org/hsp/board/marc-smolowitz/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Marc Smolowitz</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><a href="http://thehivstoryproject.org/hsp/board/jorg-fockele/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Jörg Fockele</span></a></span> as they realized that most documentaries about HIV treated the past. However, only looking at the topic from a history perspective might lead to the danger of treating HIV/AIDS as a thing of the past. With still over a million HIV infected individuals in this country, this is clearly not the case. Therefore, they founded the <a href="http://thehivstoryproject.org/" target="_blank">HIV Story Project</a> to use film to tell today’s diverse stories about the disease - in the United States and abroad. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Their latest film 'Keep the Promise - The Global Fight Against AIDS' (<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2770640/" target="_blank">IMDB</a>) documents the campaign ‘Keep the Promise’ that brought thousands to Washington, including celebrities like Wyclef Jean, Al Sharpton and Margaret Cho and representatives from over 50 countries. All coming to remind the world governments to keep their promise to maintain funding for HIV/AIDS research, treatment and prevention. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I went to the event for you and besides the documentary discussed below I also had the opportunity to listen to the 'Messengers of Hope' - a gospel choir that works HIV/AIDS topics into their songs. Additionally, I had the honor of speaking to <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/terri-ford/9/b41/183" target="_blank">Terri Ford</a>, Chief of Global Policy and Advocacy from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation that sponsored not only the event but the documentary as well. The film and her personal stories brought up </span><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">facets that HIV/AIDS has in other countries that can be quite surprising to people who grew up in the Western hemisphere.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Demonstration in Washington D.C </span><span style="line-height: normal;">from Keep the Promise film (2013)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1.) On a global scale, HIV can still be a death sentence.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the US, retroviral medication to keep HIV at bay and the viral load undetectable can cost up to 30,000 USD per year with lifetime costs for patients being estimated </span><a href="http://www.natap.org/2011/newsUpdates/The_Lifetime_Cost_of_Current_Human.5.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">at over 500k USD</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Despite the multiple </span><a href="http://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/find-care-and-treatment/addressing-cost-barriers/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">state-level and federal support programs</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (list by AIDS.gov) such as ADAP that are providing medication to uninsured with low income, many still struggle with affording their drugs. In many states for example, assistance is limited to individuals with an income less than 22k USD / year - disabling patients to make efforts to leave lower income classes as medication expense would be unbearable. This problem takes another dimension in developing countries. Generics and international drug assistance can lower the costs down to 150 USD / year but even that is hard to afford if you are not making less than 2 USD / day. </span><span style="line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How many people do you think have such low income worldwide? 10 Million? 100 Million? 500 Million? No, think again - Current </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty#Absolute_poverty" style="line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">estimations are at 2.7 Billion</span></a><span style="line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - 38% of the world population. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Terri told me about her recent trip to Myanmar. One of the Asia’s poorest country which until AHF made an effort to open office practically had no retroviral medication. "<i>People are still dying from AIDS related complications</i> " - just like in San Francisco in the 80ies and early 90ies. Now, despite bureaucratic hurdles, they are bringing in medication to the country and soon will be enabling patients access to treatment. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So for many, out of poverty, HIV is still a death sentence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2.) 50% of all HIV-infected individuals are women</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you like me grew up in a country were most HIV cases affected men who have sex with men, then you must have been as surprised as me to learn that half of HIV+ patients worldwide are women. Many factors are still contributing to this development. Violence is one of them: HIV transmission risks from a positive man to a woman can increase during forced sex due to tearing and lacerations. But also </span><a href="http://www.who.int/gender/hiv_aids/en/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cultural factors such gender norms, lack of mobility and education</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> hinder the lowering of new HIV infection rates amongst women. At the same time, the WHO states that most HIV/AIDS programs do not address gender inequality. There is still a lot to be done! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">Margaret Cho, Scene from Keep the Promise film (2013)</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Connected to positive women is the topic of positive babies - one of the saddest transmission routes of HIV. Terri told me about her last trip in India where she talked to a positive woman who with her doctor visited 4 different medical aid programs that all refused to give her medication because despite being HIV positive, her T-Cell count was not low enough. "<i>Frist of all, her T-Cell count was below 500 which is the current WHO limit and secondly she is pregnant! The WHO guidelines stipulate all pregnant women to be treated anyway. Her child may be born positive! That makes me angry!</i>" Such stories are incredibly frustrating to ear - especially considering how successful medical treatments can prevent babies from contracting HIV from the mother. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3.) HIV is most rapidly expanding in Eastern Europe<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">While we mostly focus on S</span><span style="line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">ub-Saharan</span><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Africa when we are talking about the biggest impact, it was surprising to see in the documentary that the highest growth of HIV infections take place in Eastern Europe. The former Soviet Union countries were considered low risk by the WHO just 20 years ago. Travel restrictions into and out of the country during the cold war made it very hard for the virus to invade the country. However, with the fall of the union and subsequent opening of the newly formed countries this changed and with the economic downturn, an increase of drug use accelerated the spread. Until 2007, the main mode of transmission was sharing needles and as we look at the statistics of 2008 further, we see another very sad transmission route: children born HIV-Positive. A very sad fact given that we can already </span></span><a href="http://www.k4health.org/toolkits/pmtct" style="line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">prevent the transmission from mother to child with great success</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another concentration of HIV is the prison system. For example, studies in the Ukraine in 2005 showed that between 15 - 30% of prison inmates were HIV positive. </span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0419889/?ref_=tt_cl_t2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So why, as a US based startup focusing on the American market first are we blogging about the world. It is because we live in a global village, aren’t we? We drive cars from Japan, dance to music from Korea and drink beer from Germany. Lets take a minute during World AIDS day to consider the many aspects the disease has on this<i> little blue planet</i>. </span></span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-19825067338512451412013-10-24T12:04:00.001-07:002013-10-29T16:30:54.199-07:0010 Amazing and Shocking Facts About Condoms You Didn't Know<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">For literally thousands of years we have tried myriad ways to prevent pregnancy. </span><b>From trying to predict (in-)fertile periods via </b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>coitus interruptus, anal sex and herbal remedies</b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b> to - of course - rubbers, Johnnies, French Letters or however you call your condoms.</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> By and large condoms do a good job at preventing STDs and pregnancies when used correctly. But embarrassment, awkwardness and ignorance often rule our relationship with our lubricated rubbery friends. </span></span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In our research on STDs and condoms we came across a several fun and a few shocking facts about condoms. Here’s <b><a href="http://www.beforewedo.com/">BeforeWeDo’s</a> Top 10.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1) The first rubber condom was introduced in 1855.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Young Rubber Company from the United States was the first to produce latex condoms. Their “Trojan” brand has been around for 90 years (but was subsequently bought by Church & Dwight). Little known however is that before World War 1 most condoms were actually produced by Germany and exported around the world.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilIn9lV56XfJ4RGWzDH6lMSW3j5Ky0amh5Zm7ZKRro4RpmvPilGNBQVrLMIA1MkDdYX-zGlrwMbr3R12Xi50o0hzt-D_OEsq5D4XWn_20ZmXJDoU8ZlJs6TKAeZ1UUJZVkIAxR4mQ9w/s400/improved-trojans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilIn9lV56XfJ4RGWzDH6lMSW3j5Ky0amh5Zm7ZKRro4RpmvPilGNBQVrLMIA1MkDdYX-zGlrwMbr3R12Xi50o0hzt-D_OEsq5D4XWn_20ZmXJDoU8ZlJs6TKAeZ1UUJZVkIAxR4mQ9w/s320/improved-trojans.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Condom advertising displayed at the Dittrick Museum</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2) A 15,000 Year History. Wow!</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before that, chemically treated linen cloth, animal skins and intestines and </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">tortoise</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> shells were used for contraception.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The shells for example covered the penile gland only. Historians speculate loincloths worn by wealthier individuals also served as contraception when the urges hit. Reliability must have been an issue: Casanova used to blow up his condoms before donning them to check for holes! Check out the below 10,000 to 13,000 B.C. cave painting from the French </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grottes des Combarelles</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> apparently showing a man using a condom-like covering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://api.ning.com/files/eufbSIDBkSxxky4b9CPPA*C7mHfMQHu0uq-ZOHhn9rC7MS84ml68WyFcfY*nnMObkTXAk0aUWtXJ32AumovHC-X1IzWjWKFq/grotte_peintures__003795100_1648_23022011.jpg"><img height="304px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xiVV6LMpZcejNmLHzoRBikXDVSmrncioJl23qqqLpDc8VA8cGujUtQuGchF6VxvRZ2avojbSZOSY_gzmFv4odYT_Jy-dackmzGWtJKJ3hgcDrOlWMSdhc6UH_A" width="298px;" /></a></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3) The </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has offered a grant 100,000 US$ to sponsor the development of the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next Generation Condom</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The goal is to find a pleasure-enhancing condom! We applaud the Gates Foundation’s effort to improve today’s condoms and further de-stigmatize condoms! A main contender is the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Origami Condom</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, designed and produced in California. The condom folds unfolds in line with your natural movement. It fits more loosely than traditional latex condoms sacrificing none of the safety and the additional friction due to the folding movement creates additional sensation. Alas, it won’t be available on the market before 2015 due to the FDA’s approval process!</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img height="265px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xBEbTSsERNXNFLJhGADUzfOBv9iLq-ML4Wes4y0ThYr6eKwQ5uv_HMSVuTc3nz76Xek5IAHKq9Fdaa-G6va2d280e5PfsFazJsmgILksTXUEie1dXX0FlpFwrA" width="415px;" /></span></span></b></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Origami’s folding male condom - due in 2015</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check out the </span><a href="http://www.grandchallenges.org/explorations/topics/pages/nextgenerationcondomround11.aspx" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gates Foundation’s Grand Challenge</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as well as </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.origamicondoms.com/" style="text-decoration: none;">Origami’s upcoming folding Johnny.</a></span></span><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4) 80% - that’s the average effectiveness of condoms </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in preventing STDs and pregnancy.</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sounds low? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, effectiveness in ideal use is roughly 97%. Most of us - me admittedly included - make less than ideal use of it. In 18% of cases we commit errors such as not grabbing the condoms base when pulling out, not checking expiry dates or touching the outside with our penis before putting it on… </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For a more detailed summary see the </span><a href="http://sexoutloud.com/wordpress/2012/05/02/condom-use-errors/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sex Out Loud</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> blog or this </span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21278626" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">study</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> linking common mistakes with the amount of prostate-specific antigen found in vaginal fluids.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5) </span><a href="http://www.trojancondoms.com/Product/magnum-lubricated-condoms.aspx" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Magnum Condoms</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are a marketing marvel or has there been a growth spurt in US penis size?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nobody seems to want to be seen buying a “small: condom (the industry term is ‘snug fit’). Between 2000 and 2010 Magnum sales grew 14% taking up 18.8% of the market. Magnum condoms produced by US market leader Trojan were propelled to fame by the likes of Busta Rhymes, Remy Ma and Ludacris. The Magnum condoms measure 8.07 inches in length and 2.13 in diameter. See below for the average American size. Some men report that the looser fitting condoms are more comfortable. Well, almost time for the weekend - so let’s pick up some ego-boosting Magnums!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2010/04/magnum_condoms.php" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Magnum ad featuring Ludacris" height="363px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/l9LPCOZcS33QQmW6fpsq4iqc_KX_Nw82dXNixgEN2OotCBzkN7AjU3ZbmKKxGPhtmjL6HYwiXmHLbLU_EI6PKxlX4wGkLqXoOMTsdMJyVrk5K8S2X6vXznOM-w" title="Magnum ad featuring Ludacris" width="545px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">Magnum ad featuring Ludacris</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also very entertaining, <a href="http://www.targetmap.com/viewer.aspx?reportId=3073">Onion Slayer’s penile size world map:</a></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Penile size worldmap" height="428px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/F0dH7vMU-HNWH_HZKsruNZEcgP_lhVQVYsDaKmLRCXAx77t53i4UPU3eCB152oTJKFE9_w4xRSMglLDu4dgK4t-42CrzVSscTW1mnEYvkb_BIjXb3z1djssXEQ" title="Penile size worldmap" width="624px;" /></span></span></b></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6) The largest condom manufacturer sits in… Malaysia.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a predominantly muslim country Karex Industry reportedly produces around 3bn condoms and holds around 25% of global market share by quantity. The </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">US government is its largest customer</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> via USAID. However, Reckitt Benickser’s Durex leads the market in terms of value with a market share of 30%.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">7) Men lie about their penis sizes.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Americans of all </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">color</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> overstate their penis length. While African Americans overstate by 1 inch (7.9 to 6.9 inches), white Americans overstate by 1.7 inches claiming 6.8 inches but measuring 5.1 inches on average. In a European study the French report to need the largest condoms (6.09 inches) but come out slightly below European average (which is 5.7 inches). That said, studies in Europe vary a lot. </span></span><a href="http://alphadesigner.com/blog/europe-according-penis-size/" style="line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">alphadesigner</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as well as the corresponding </span><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2210784/British-men-bigger-penises-French-according-survey-manhood-sizes.html?ito=feeds-newsxml%20" style="line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daily Mail</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> article give further information.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Europe according to penile sizes" height="417px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/F5LhWL3AlIsXTro24u2krJVN5aumbtN7HTmUxUj_7Qsx7ZdtLtrEUXwlfW3rSqhkXsa-PtarGso2-1spGZCZV8bCWeW2OPZ4aBnZvBtf1pFtyV9F72QwT-foNw" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Europe according to penile sizes" width="624px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Europe according to penile sizes</td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></span></b></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8) Do condoms made out of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> animal bladder, stomach and other intestines </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sound gross to you?</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They’ve been used for centuries and they are still used today. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not vegetarian-friendly</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, they are an alternative for lovers with a latex allergy. They’re sometimes also referred to as lambskins, but the professional term is ‘natural membrane condoms’.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Animal membrane condom" height="157px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Lj5f4R-Ps5XREoKdg5Ntwuz81mI7p5s7sBkWTOLrWqmiY_2UrKxyIB2SV_uwBYTB9XzE5VMLmLoJPff1em8lRT840pk1LDH4tYy2hfWHgt_mp1bAYHwH9yMNbQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Animal membrane condom" width="450px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;">Animal membrane condom</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Durex US website doesn’t list any non-latex condoms, but both </span><a href="http://www.trojancondoms.com/Product/ProductListVert.aspx" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trojan</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://www.lifestyles.com/category/condoms/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LifeStyles</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> sell more advanced version of their historic cousin.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">9) Outright scary: condom sabotage</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a study of single, heterosexual guys who’ve had at least one unprotected encounter in the last year the researchers studied how guys persuade women to no insist on condoms. Common techniques included risk-level assurance (I’m clean) and seduction (Getting her so excited she’ll forget). However, 9% admitted to having intentionally sabotaged and opened a condom when putting it on!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://lehmiller.com/blog/2013/7/29/things-guys-say-to-avoid-using-condoms" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dr. Lehmiller’s blog</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> offers a great summary of the study & plenty of news surrounding human sexuality.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10) As scary: fake Chinese condoms.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2013-05/15/content_16499660.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">China Daily</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> reported 2m fake condoms labelled as Durex, Trojan and Jissbon (sounds like James Bond in Chinese) were seized by police. Now, China isn’t known for small business. </span><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/china/archive/2013/04/110-million-fake-condoms-in-ghana-chinas-latest-counterfeit-scare/275144/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ghana’s FDA rejected 110m condoms</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from China due to holes, dried lubricant and generally shoddy quality (What would Ghana want with Chinese condoms in the first place? Check out the penile size world map again!). On an entertaining note: these </span><a href="http://e.weibo.com/1942473263/z44sCfj8p?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fs.weibo.com%2Fweibo%2Fdurex%3Ftopnav%3D1%26wvr%3D4%26k%3D1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pictures of Michelle Obama and Ann Romney</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> were posted more than 60,000 times on China’s microblogs.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pure Fun: Durex Ballooninmals</span></b></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is one of the most entertaining condom advertising’s I came across. It's an ad you'll never see on TV:</span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Uqt3Zb7BItA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Are You an Expert?</span></b></h2>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How expert a condom user are you? What do you think most people would say if asked whether their skill of using condoms was above-average?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How satisfied are you with the current condom offerings on the market? Have you used non-latex condoms, female condoms and are you looking forward to Origami’s innovations? </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let us know!</span></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-7722285774362489282013-09-27T01:49:00.001-07:002013-09-27T01:49:56.758-07:0025 years prison for HIV Non-Disclosure. Medieval or Appropriate?<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week I got a first and powerful impression of the stigma and fear that still surrounds HIV/Aids. At the Roxie Theater in San Francisco, Stefan and me attended an event to promote three new documentaries that showed current issues of the disease. The issue of criminalization of HIV left such a deep impact with me that it prompted me to write my first ever blog article.</span></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4bb4a359-5e7b-72fb-4dec-3473e8042c55" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4bb4a359-5e7b-72fb-4dec-3473e8042c55" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4bb4a359-5e7b-72fb-4dec-3473e8042c55" style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img height="250" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VO7DXZPZwsJZiJrhtKE0kXbT5XVxS09tNPr2iBds0swJqfV6Ulqs7NLt_NTN0RtA9B6mpM77Wef_v-sWBY7oyZmhWvK5lW6gk6wobZlPKmMgFPiL_xzUeYsO" width="400" /></span></span></span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-4bb4a359-5e7b-72fb-4dec-3473e8042c55" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">People living with HIV in many countries are still subject to not only discrimination but also criminal lawsuits. A shocking example was that of Nick Rhoades, a 34-year old former hotel manager from Iowa, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for not disclosing his positive HIV-status prior to a one-time safe sexual encounter in 2008. Although a condom was used, Nick’s viral load was at undetectable levels and there was actually no transmission of HIV, he was found guilty of ‘Criminal HIV Transmission’. The one-night stand was qualified as an aggravated sexual assault.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nick and his partner had consensual sex, used protection and thanks to HIV-medication Nick’s viral load was undetectable. However, when Nick’s partner later learned about his HIV-positive status, he went to a hospital whose’ staff then pressed charges. </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The initial 25-year sentence was later suspended, but Nick still has to live with being marked a sex offender - a huge burden not allowing him to have an email account, use Facebook or spend time unsupervised with his nephews and nieces. Watch more in the short film below that was kindly made available for free by the </span><a href="http://seroproject.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sero Project</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<object height="315" width="560"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/iB-6blJjbjc?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0"></param>
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<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/iB-6blJjbjc?hl=en_US&version=3&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is not an isolated case. </span><a href="https://twitter.com/i_Suttle" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Robert Suttle</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was similarly accused by a former lover of non-disclosure and had to register as a sex offender. Since then Robert has become a vocal and articulate advocate for the rights of people with HIV in the Sero Project. Neither in Robert’s nor in Nick’s case did transmission of the virus actually happen. In total </span><a href="http://blogs.poz.com/sean/archives/2010/11/criminalization_101.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">more than 200 people</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have been convicted due to non-disclosure in the US.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img height="227" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/oApytkZ8bkk2erEj6YS1AznTFtHuHqhtLfq8qm5HO64N6erVmEtkIN5WUrFTZ0ZserjCfqO3BYDuSipyg-gZf7zDvIrNYwQNQvSGH99kiKbotYaXHLCcRcoS" width="400" /></span></span></span></b></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 28px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">HIV-Specific laws in 36 US states</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Such cases are not restricted to the United States with many cases documented in Canada, Sweden and other countries. In this country, criminal law is often applied for cases of non-disclosure. More than 30 states have HIV-specific laws. Harsh sentences are often the result. </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Monique says in the Sero Project’s film: criminalization may actually deter people from getting tested. The </span><a href="http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2012.300664" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American Journal of Public Health</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> published a study showing no decrease in transmissions in state with mandatory disclosure. </span><a href="http://www.unaids.org/en/media/unaids/contentassets/dataimport/pub/basedocument/2008/20080731_jc1513_policy_criminalization_en.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">UNAIDS</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> concurs and published a brief urging governments to de-criminalize HIV/Aids. Such laws can also create a false sense of security: if my partner had HIV he’d have to tell me.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A newly infected person will be highly unlikely to come forward with the names of people he had sexual contact with out of fear of further charges. Recently infected people cause a lot of new infections making early detection critical!</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Additionally, the fact that one has disclosed to a partner is difficult and embarrassing to prove and document. Diary entries, video recordings or a joint doctor visit may all help. </span><a href="http://testingtogether.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Testing Together</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is available for male gay couples in many states and offers free testing, also when one partner knows he’s positive but hasn’t told yet.Al</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Laws were passed in many states in the 1990 to make the exposure of partners who are unaware of one’s status to HIV a crime. Two aspects are important here to consider:</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Firstly, the risk of transmission in a setting</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Secondly, the severity of an infection</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Both these aspects have changed drastically in the last two decades. </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What do you think the chance is you’ll catch HIV from unprotected anal sex?</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As per Aidsmap the risk during unprotected sex (in contrast to the cases above where condoms were used) with an HIV-positive person per exposure is: (compare CDC data) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Receptive Vaginal sex (male-to-female) transmission risk: 0.08%
Insertive Vaginal sex (female-to-male) transmission risk: 0.04%
Receptive anal sex between men, partner HIV positive: 0.82%
Insertive anal sex, between men, partner unknown status: 0.06%</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">The chance of infection rises dramatically if you’re in poor general health or have other STDs.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the cases mentioned above, condoms were used which further decreases the chance of transmission. For heterosexual couples at least, studies have concluded that if the HIV+ partner has lowered their viral load to undetectable levels, </span><a href="http://www.thebodypro.com/content/70369/undetectable-viral-load-essentially-eliminates-hiv.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the transmission risk is practically zero</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">I found these probabilities much lower than expected, which is still not a reason to not be careful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the severity</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: While contracting HIV/Aids will certainly change anybody’s life, it is not a death sentence anymore as retroviral medication can lower one’s viral load to undetectable levels and procrastinate the emergence of AIDS for many decades. An IAS study of 2013 even stated that individuals diagnosed with HIV today in the U.S. or Canada </span><a href="http://pag.ias2013.org/Abstracts.aspx?AID=2451" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">can expect to live an almost normal life span</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Consequently, Scott Burris at Temple University asks in Harvard’s Bill of Health blog </span><a href="http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/billofhealth/2012/09/21/overcriminalization-and-hiv/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">whether non-disclosure should be a crime at all</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aaron Laxton</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> blogs about his ‘HIV Journey’, gives his personal <a href="http://aaronlaxton.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-hiv-journey-hiv-criminalization.html" target="_blank">opinion on criminalization</a> and whether to disclose one’s HIV status.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></b></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 21px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dropping the H-Bomb</span></span></h1>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Should you always disclose? Personally I still think yes, which is easy to say if you’re not the one to say the words... Marianne Mollman, with Amnesty International, published a balanced article in the Huffington Post </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marianne-mollmann/is-criminalization-of-hiv-effective_b_1445385.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">highlighting the complexities of the topic</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many people with HIV will indeed disclose their status every time. Not because of laws, but because they’re convinced it’s the right thing to do. But ‘Dropping the H-Bomb’ as Jessica in </span><a href="http://www.positivewomenthemovie.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Positive Women</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> called it is a very hard thing to do! And because plenty of HIV-positive people have encountered stigma, discrimination and even physical abuse, disclosing is not as straightforward as it sounds.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Making people comfortable disclosing their status is our best bet in fighting HIV/AIDS. The best way to do this is with support and understanding - not criminal law. This puts the responsibility both on people with and without HIV. </span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>So in conclusion, I have two questions for you: </b></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you were HIV-positive and wanted to tell a potential partner, how would you say it? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the other hand, if you heard a potential partner say that he/she got HIV - what would you say and do? </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 1.15;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take a while to think and be honest to yourself - these are tough questions to answer</span></span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-37009411080841554862013-06-27T18:07:00.001-07:002013-07-14T20:15:59.920-07:00Today is National HIV Testing Day - what Obama & Dr. Owen have to say<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caOteywV1jk/UczCh0hPjeI/AAAAAAAAAGI/qDt3Da_-nUA/s535/Barack_Obama_addresses_joint_session_of_Congress_2009-02-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-caOteywV1jk/UczCh0hPjeI/AAAAAAAAAGI/qDt3Da_-nUA/s400/Barack_Obama_addresses_joint_session_of_Congress_2009-02-24.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Public Domain - President Barack Obama, 2009</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Today is the United States’ 19th National HIV Testing Day. A rally going throughout the country with even president Obama addressing the nation and <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/06/27/statement-president-national-hiv-testing-day">reminds everyone between the age 15-64 to get regularly screened for HIV</a>. There are nearly 1.2 Americans living with HIV and 50,000 new infections every year. Worst of all, a quarter of all people living with the virus <i>don’t even know they have it</i>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reason enough for us to start a whole series on <i>Smarten Up</i> on HIV. So you think you know HIV? Its meaning, history, new developments like PEP and PrEP? We bring you up to date on today’s knowledge and are honored that Dr. William Owen, veteran in the HIV field is taking that journey with us! </span><br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So what is HIV and AIDS? Are they the same? What’s the difference?</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So just like with our <a href="http://blog.beforewedo.com/2013/06/no-more-cunnulingus-after-what-happened.html">HPV and Michael Douglas’ cunnilingus</a> post, let us start with the basics and that is the words themselves and how they differ from each other. You don’t want to read anymore? Then good news, we actually made a video for you:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/XckX6xpFB5g" width="560"></iframe>
<br /><br />So to summarize again:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>HIV</b> stands for <u>Human Immunodeficiency Virus</u>. So it is a virus that targets us (humans) and leads to a failure of the natural defense mechanisms of our body (immune system).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>AIDS</b> on the other hand stands for <u>Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome</u>. So it is an obtained condition caused by a failure of the natural defense mechanism of your body. In other words AIDS is the result of an untreated HIV infection.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As Dr. Owen points out, you can remember the difference easily by the <b>V</b> (think of ‘virus’) in HI<b>V</b> and the <b>D</b> (think of ‘disease’) in AI<b>D</b>S.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You might ask why the medical community makes it so complicated. After all, we don’t have two words for herpes either. Its herpes when you have the virus and herpes on your lip (or anywhere else) when it breaks out.<br /><br />The reason for the two names is that AIDS was a description of that new condition witnessed in the 80ies before it was even known that a virus caused the syndrome. So the two names have an historical origin. Confusing, yes and its still hard for many to grasp the difference. Take the recently published comic book “AIDS in the End Zone”. Jacob from the HIVPlusMag correctly points out that the title should be “HIV in the End Zone” since <a href="http://www.hivplusmag.com/case-studies/youth/2013/05/23/aids-end-zone?page=full">none of the characters actually develops AIDS</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So Who should get tested?</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We will get into more details how HIV works and how to protect yourself in a later episode of Smarten Up. For Testing Day, let us focus on who should get tested. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) <a href="http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf13/hiv/hivfact.pdf">recommends with the highest grade</a> that</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Everyone between the age of 15 and 65</b> should get screened for HIV as part of their routine health care.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>All pregnant women</b> who don’t know their status should get tested for HIV</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>Younger adolescent and older adults</b> should get tested if they are <i>at <b>increased risk</b></i> such as: men who have sex with men, using injection based drugs, having unprotected sex, having more than one sex partner, having a partner who has HIV infection (magnetic couple), and exchanging sex for drugs or money.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As Paul Wax <a href="http://www.thebodypro.com/content/69842/the-us-preventive-services-task-force-recommends-h.html" target="_blank">summarizes in his post in The Body Pro</a>, these recommendations largely follow those already set by other organizations such as the Center of Disease Control (CDC). However, the USPSTF is known to caution doctors from over-testing so having a clear testing guidelines from them carries even a bit more weight with doctors. Or how Paul puts it “it <i>must</i> be the right thing to do. Because these guys are tough.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">HIV Test Locator</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">To make it really easy, you can use the AIDS.GOV test locator below. Just put in your Zip code and it will show you the nearest test center. Of course, you can also obtain a <a href="http://store.beforewedo.com/in-home-test-kit-for-hiv-including-oraquick-saliva-test/" target="_blank">saliva based HIV home test from us</a>!<br /><br />
</span><br />
<div align="Center">
<noscript><div style="height:115px;position:relative;width:314px;background:url(http://locator.aids.gov/images/bg_widget-8bit.png) no-repeat;padding-left:19px;">
<b style="padding-top:6px;color:#fff;display:block;font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:14px;line-height:16px;">Find HIV/AIDS Prevention & Service Providers</b><p style="font-size:9px;margin: 3px 0 4px;color:#fff;">
Enter your address, city and state, or ZIP Code:</p>
<form action="http://locator.aids.gov/index.php" style="margin:0;">
<label style="margin-left:22px;"><input type="text" name="location" style="border:0;font-size:11px;width:230px;"/></label><button type="submit" style="background:none;border:none;cursor:pointer;height:40px;margin-top:5px;padding:0;text-indent:-999em;overflow:hidden;vertical-align:middle;width:40px;">GO</button><input type="hidden" name="text_only" value="true" /></form>
<p style="font-size:9px;margin: 10px 0 0;color:#fff;">
For more information on this widget, please visit <a href="http://aids.gov/locator" style="color:#fff;">AIDS.gov</a>.</p>
</div>
</noscript><script src="http://locator.aids.gov/widget.js" type="text/javascript"></script><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Your Mission for today</span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks a lot for reading this far. I hope you now have a better picture of what HIV is and who should get tested. Also, you learned that about 300,000 Americans are estimated to live with HIV without knowing it. So let us work together to make HIV testing as normal as going to the dentist.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><b>So here are your mission objectives:</b></span></span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you are in one of the categories above, go and get tested TODAY! Either in a test center near you or with a <a href="http://store.beforewedo.com/in-home-test-kit-for-hiv-including-oraquick-saliva-test/" target="_blank">home test</a>.</span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Convince at least 3 family members or friends that fall in the category above to get tested. <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?s=100&p[url]=http://blog.beforewedo.com/2013/06/today-is-national-hiv-testing-day-what.html&p[images][0]=&p[title]=Today%20is%20National%20HIV%20Testing%20Day%20-%20what%20Obama%20&%20Dr.%20Owen%20have%20to%20say&p[summary]=Today%20is%20National%20HIV%20Testing%20Day%20in%20the%20United%20States%20with%20even%20Obama%20himself%20addressing%20the%20nation.%20See%20what%20he%20and%20Dr.%20William%20Owen%20have%20to%20say%20about%20HIV,%20AIDS%20and%20the%20recommendations.%20Do%20you%20know%20who%20is%20recommended%20to%20test?%20Find%20out%20at%20http://bit.ly/TestingDay" target="_blank">Share on Facebook</a></b> and <b><a href="http://twitter.com/home?status=Today%20is%20National%20HIV%20Testing%20Day%20-%20I%20got%20tested%20because%20it%20is%20recommended.%20Will%20you?%20http://bit.ly/TestingDay" target="_blank">share on twitter</a></b> to get the word out!</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />Alright, now its time for me to walk the talk. Looking at the recommendation above, that includes me. So I’m off to get tested... until next time!<br /><br /><b>Special thanks</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Big thanks to <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/113417163814244094081" target="_blank">Dr. William Owen</a> for the advice and being part of the video</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Many thanks to <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/102773348020793538646" target="_blank">Gregory Go</a> for being a badass video producer, camera man and sound technician! </span></li>
</ul>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-16127808050735276972013-06-20T08:47:00.003-07:002013-06-20T15:39:45.831-07:003 Steps To Find An STD Clinic Like a Hot, Friday Night Date<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span><b>he following is a repost from the </b></span><b><a href="http://www.fearlesspress.com/2013/06/14/3-steps-to-find-an-std-clinic-like-a-hot-friday-night-date/" style="line-height: 17px;">Fearless Press</a>,<span style="line-height: 17px;"> a web magazi</span><span style="line-height: 27.200000762939453px;">ne for intelligent voices to speak about the positive intersection of sex and life. </span></b></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DR5wuH6vxk/UZZfXFJkEZI/AAAAAAAAAI4/STpe2o-dLEw/s1600/Alyssa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DR5wuH6vxk/UZZfXFJkEZI/AAAAAAAAAI4/STpe2o-dLEw/s400/Alyssa.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Alyssa Mompoint, Image by <a href="http://gregorylgo.com./">Greg Go</a></span></div>
</td></tr>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094"></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6236-c6e5-16ba-3a53ed725681" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Alyssa, Come here!”</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6236-c6e5-16ba-3a53ed725681" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6236-c6e5-16ba-3a53ed725681" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A text from my friend’s recent one night stand read, </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Do you have an STD?”,</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> followed by a series of photos of his penis with red, open sores on it. This is definitely an awkward way to </span><a href="http://bit.ly/STDconvo" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">start the STI/STD convo</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6236-c6e5-16ba-3a53ed725681" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I’m a whore,” she cried. </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6236-c6e5-16ba-3a53ed725681" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6236-c6e5-16ba-3a53ed725681" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was horrified that my friend believed she was a whore because she may have contracted Herpes. </span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He had never said he had tested positive for Herpes or Genital Warts nor had </span><a href="http://bit.ly/firstask" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he ask her to get tested</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> before they had sex. But afterward, he accused her of spreading herpes and called harassing her for several days. </span></span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6236-c6e5-16ba-3a53ed725681" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
<br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6236-c6e5-16ba-3a53ed725681" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Herpes is, in fact, very common with </span><a href="http://www.webmd.com/genital-herpes/genital-herpes-faq" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">50-80% of Americans having oral herpes </span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/STD/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 out 6 people having gental herpes in the U.S</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Since Herpes and HPV can be contracted through skin to skin contact, using a condom does not completely protect you. Also, once you develop symptoms, </span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">don’t be so quick to blame </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your current partner. In a </span><a href="http://blog.beforewedo.com/2013/06/no-more-cunnulingus-after-what-happened.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">previous post, we wrote how in most cases of HPV</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> our bodies successfully keep the virus in check so it can be years or even decades before symptoms. In the case of Herpes, Dr. Marc F. Hirsch advises via </span><a href="https://www.healthtap.com/#user_questions/258708-if-i-have-symptoms-for-herpes-hsv2-does-that-me-my-most-recent-partner-of-1-mos-gave-it-to-me-is-it-possible-the-virus-was-dormant-for-years" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Healthtap</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that “HSV-2 can be dormant and suddenly break out with physical or emotional stress. You might have had it before recent partner”. So the only smart thing to do was to get tested. After a couple days of frantically searching, we found a clinic that was just right - SF City Clinic. </span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z58MVxDyX98/UcMgnSeR-KI/AAAAAAAAAM0/xgGziT2a8xo/s1600/Waiting+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z58MVxDyX98/UcMgnSeR-KI/AAAAAAAAAM0/xgGziT2a8xo/s320/Waiting+Room.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/18432549@N00/88395239/" style="text-align: start;">Julep67</a><span style="text-align: start;"> via </span><a href="http://compfight.com/" style="text-align: start;">Compfight</a><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/" style="text-align: start;">cc</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6238-f1fc-9774-db764e87a7f5" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6238-f1fc-9774-db764e87a7f5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now, we didn’t account for the 3-hour wait time which included getting a number, talking to a counselor about her risk, peeing into a cup to test for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, getting her blood drawn for Syphilis and Herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2), and receiving a rapid test for HIV (adding another 20 minutes in wait time for her result). Did I mention the guilt and shame in the room was almost tangible. So, what was the final result you ask? As advised by the nurse, she sent him a screenshot of her negative test results. </span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6238-f1fc-9774-db764e87a7f5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Needless to say, navigating the STI/STD clinic search can be nerve wracking and very personal. It’s kind of like the dating world of Match.com or OkCupid, right? You don’t just go on a date with anyone. You want to be attracted and the person has to be available to you.</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6238-f1fc-9774-db764e87a7f5" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6238-f1fc-9774-db764e87a7f5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, here are 3 steps to find the perfect testing clinic as you would your hot date: </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Step 1: </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Decide if it’s Dating Material: </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are the hours? Does it get good reviews? Does it make you pay or can you use your insurance? Is it on your way home or work? Does the clinic cater to women, MSM, transgender? Do your research. Otherwise, it’s like </span><a href="http://bit.ly/walkingSTD" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you trying to use a hook-up app</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> like Grindr or Bang With Friends to find a committed long term relationship. You will leave feeling unsatisfied and frustrated because it doesn’t offer what you need. To simplify this process, use the </span><a href="http://hivtest.cdc.gov/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CDC STI/STD clinic locator</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><a href="http://locator.aids.gov/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AIDS.gov clinic locator</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> start your search.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Step 2: </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Go On the First Date:</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Does it make you feel comfortable? Did you have a good conversation with the testing counselors? Were they considerate of your time? If you’re shy, go on a double date by bringing a friend you can trust who can ease any anxiety and take off some of the pressure. </span><a href="http://www.teensource.org/ts/blog/2010/01/tips-getting-tested-stds.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Schedule enough time </span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">so you’re not forced to skip work or ditch plans. If the environment or people make you feel uneasy then you know not to go back the next time. It is sort of like that date who only talks about themselves or picks the one restaurant you absolutely hate. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Step 3:</span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Think About How the Date Ended. </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How fast did you get an email or phone call with your result? Did you feel like you could be yourself and ask questions? How easy was the testing process? Be sure you leave knowing what you got tested for, in what form you’ll receive the results, and how fast you’ll receive them. If you liked it enough and felt comfortable, go on that second date.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EbgUh4W9Wqs/UcMgdyxgV3I/AAAAAAAAAMo/DZE9sDTJUPE/s1600/love+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EbgUh4W9Wqs/UcMgdyxgV3I/AAAAAAAAAMo/DZE9sDTJUPE/s320/love+ad.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/76818399@N00/4335854218/" style="text-align: start;">Caro Wallis</a><span style="text-align: start;"> via </span><a href="http://compfight.com/" style="text-align: start;">Compfight</a><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/" style="text-align: start;">cc</a><br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-623a-4c37-7dea-0b5bc40cfe2f"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Getting tested can give you a sense of pride, and based on my personal experience can certainly give you peace of mind. So, while</span><a href="http://std.about.com/u/ua/gettingtested/testuseranswers.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> it can be a pain</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, it may save you. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And, of course, if it’s HIV, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea, remember you can scratch the whole clinic process and do it in the comfort and privacy of your own home with our easy delivery service at </span><a href="http://www.beforewedo.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BeforeWeDo</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-6238-f1fc-9774-db764e87a7f5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><b id="docs-internal-guid--90a5ff3-623b-1aae-d2a7-1e85a666c13f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why is there such a strong sense of shame felt in clinics?</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-2006515439239632952013-06-11T09:33:00.002-07:002013-06-11T12:47:47.658-07:003 Biggest Myths on Having the STI/STD Conversation...Debunked <b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hE_DvQ36sfo/UbdLvHlAExI/AAAAAAAAALg/FnE-o8nNXS8/s1600/Kali+@+Kink+Academy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hE_DvQ36sfo/UbdLvHlAExI/AAAAAAAAALg/FnE-o8nNXS8/s320/Kali+@+Kink+Academy.jpeg" width="296" /></a></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3402-61c4-cc2a-b1493d3c9c60" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3402-61c4-cc2a-b1493d3c9c60" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The following is a guest post from the Kali from the </span><a href="http://www.kinkacademy.com/home/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kink Academy</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> & </span><a href="http://www.erotication.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Erotication.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></b></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3402-61c4-cc2a-b1493d3c9c60" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kali is a dynamic kink educator that focuses on power exchange, sexual confidence. With 10+ years exploring sexually alternative lifestyles & professions, her focus is on running her revolutionary sex education websites, Erotication.com</span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Please note: All of the links in the article are connected to free </span><a href="http://www.passionateu.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PassionateU.com</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> videos, some of them are NSFW (aka explicit!)</span></span></b></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></b>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are a lot of awkward conversations we might have in life. Socially taboo topics can be difficult to discuss or talk without feeling weird. Topics that usually fall under the “socially awkward” conversations may be about money, death, breaking up and definitely about STI/STDs. I think it’s time we change that. </span></b></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To start breaking the taboo, we can at least we can find a way to talk about STIs & STDs that leaves that awkwardness behind. STI/STD rates are currently at </span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/sti-estimates-fact-sheet-feb-2013.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">20 million new infections </span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a year so it’s more important than ever to “have the talk”. However, even that kind of emphasis contributes to the discomfort in bringing up the conversation. It doesn’t have to be an oh-so serious discussion, in fact the ideal is to make it a </span><a href="http://wp.me/p35ldX-26" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">normal part of your sexual experience</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> so you can protect your health & future sex life.</span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WqC2F0SZwlI/UbdLz3iKLfI/AAAAAAAAAL0/mPSnntNacvk/s1600/couple+standing+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WqC2F0SZwlI/UbdLz3iKLfI/AAAAAAAAAL0/mPSnntNacvk/s320/couple+standing+together.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/11631165@N03/2350540706/" style="text-align: start;">lulazzo [non vede, non sente, non parla]</a><span style="text-align: start;"> via </span><a href="http://compfight.com/" style="text-align: start;">Compfight</a><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/" style="text-align: start;">cc</a></span></td></tr>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3407-735d-11a0-815bc7c565f4" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are 3 myths about bringing up the topic of safe sex & STIs/STDs: </span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Myth #1 If you bring it up, you must have slept with a lot of people. Or you think your partner has slept with a lot of people and you don’t want to feel like (or make them feel like) a “slut”. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s a very shaming approach and GOOD sex is about shamelessness!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Myth #2 It has to be a super serious, nerve racking conversation. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hell No! It </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">can</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> be more light-hearted and does not need to be treated like the ‘end of the world’. Being honest doesn’t mean you have to be grim about it, even and especially if you’re the one bringing up an STI/STD you have.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Myth #3 If you have an STI/STD, you’ll automatically be rejected as a sexual partner. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is definitely not true. If we segregated everyone with some kind of STI or STD then there would be way less sex in the world and we don’t want that! We want healthy, open sexual experiences, regardless of STI/STD status. There are plenty of people that understand most STIs and STDs can be treated and/or have a STI/STD themselves. There are also a lot of people who don’t believe in the current stigma!</span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3407-735d-11a0-815bc7c565f4" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3404-319c-2170-36bf7bea8e9a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">So.…how do we bring it up? If you’re getting hot & heavy with a new partner don’t put the conversation off. You don’t have to lead with it </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">“Hi, I’m Tom. Do you have any STI/STDs?”</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"> but it’s one of those things that the more you do, the more natural it will be. Plus, talking about it sooner rather than later lets you see how your potential partner responds to conversations about sensitive topics. </span></b></span></b></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3404-319c-2170-36bf7bea8e9a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></b></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3404-319c-2170-36bf7bea8e9a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">One of the best ways I’ve seen is from </span><a href="http://reidaboutsex.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Reid Mihalko</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">, a well-respected educator from the Bay Area. He’s come up with what he calls the </span><a href="http://www.passionateu.com/home/2011/10/the-safer-sex-elevator-speech/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">“Safer Sex Elevator Speech”</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"> and even though it’s used a lot in the kink and polyamory worlds it’s also completely useful for any date or possible romance.</span></b></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3404-319c-2170-36bf7bea8e9a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></b></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-33ff-e2c4-7a9b-d28b084ac946" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3404-319c-2170-36bf7bea8e9a" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">If you’re </span><a href="http://wp.me/p35ldX-143" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">sharing your positive STI/STD status</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"> with a new partner, don’t come into the conversation with a pessimistic attitude. Timing is important so don’t broach the subject when you’re going to feel rushed. Give the other person space to share their feelings or thoughts. Most importantly, remember that you are NOT your STI/STD and that you have a lot to offer a sexual partner & as an awesome person. If they can’t get past it, then it’s their loss.</span></b></span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36912297@N04/3655801363/" style="text-align: start;">Koshiro.kun</a><span style="text-align: start;"> via </span><a href="http://compfight.com/" style="text-align: start;">Compfight</a><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/" style="text-align: start;">cc</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3405-4183-b8ea-318b05b01898" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being prepared is also a great way to bring up the subject. If you’re already </span><a href="http://wp.me/p35ldX-158" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in your bedroom</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (or </span><a href="http://wp.me/p35ldX-15N" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in theirs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) make sure you’re equipped with safer sex supplies nearby. It really can be done in a sexy way, pulling </span><a href="http://wp.me/p35ldX-F7" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">condoms</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or a </span><a href="http://wp.me/p35ldX-20X" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dental dam</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> out and saying how much it turns you on to have safer sex. You can even </span><a href="http://wp.me/p35ldX-F6" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">put a condom on with your mouth</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (just be careful not to put a hole in it) so you don’t break the sexual rhythm!</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3405-4183-b8ea-318b05b01898" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3405-4183-b8ea-318b05b01898" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3405-4183-b8ea-318b05b01898" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remember, there are some STIs that can be transferred even with a condom like Herpes and HPV</span></b></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3405-4183-b8ea-318b05b01898" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3405-4183-b8ea-318b05b01898" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3405-4183-b8ea-318b05b01898" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, so it’s important to be proactive about your health. Part of being proactive in your sexual health is to also make sure to get tested at a frequency appropriate to your sex life. Knowing about options, such as the </span><a href="http://wp.me/p35ldX-1Ub" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HPV vaccination</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> will help you know about your own status.</span></span></b></b></b></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3405-4183-b8ea-318b05b01898" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, stay updated about your own status, educate yourself as much as possible about sexual health, and don’t be afraid to be straightforward about the STI/STD conversation. Honesty is sexy!</span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4802b8e8-3405-4183-b8ea-318b05b01898" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are some sexy and easy ways you’ve asked your partner about their sexual health status?</span></b></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-46941641084480343102013-06-06T09:37:00.000-07:002013-06-17T08:16:57.335-07:00Will You Wait As Long As This AIDS Educator To Get HIV Tested? <br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The following is a guest post from Isabel Berney from<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_195060077"> </a></span><span style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://TheThump.com/">TheThump.com</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1155cc;"> </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">who </span></span></b></b></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">shares </span></b></b></b></b></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">her experience of getting tested for HIV in New York City. Like many of us, she did not want to think about the possibility that she could have been exposed to HIV but did not know her status. It’s so easy to think you are immune but getting tested is the only way to know for sure. </span></b></b></b></b></b></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t know what compelled me to wait 23 years to get tested for HIV. Fear played a factor (at 16, I’d already had a few wild nights under my belt) and self-delusion, presumably. It’s not something you went around asking people, but I’d bet that many of my other sexually-active friends had never been tested. We all labored under the misconception that people like </span><span style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">us— </span><span style="line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">White, upper-middle-class Jews from Long Island—simply don’t get AIDS. It wasn’t until junior year when one of my classmates—a good-looking jock from an über-wealthy family— was discovered to be HIV-positive that our attitudes shifted. But even this traumatic event, coupled with my decision to become an AIDS educator and go around to middle schools teaching younger kids about the virus, didn’t convince me to get tested. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I persisted in my stubbornness another seven years, through a few broken condoms with my college boyfriend, and later a broken heart that led me to perform oral sex on a couple of random dates against my better judgment. Had a slept with a ton of men? Hardly. But I wasn’t a virgin, I knew the risks involved, and yet I convinced myself that AIDS was so horrific it was better not to know. That stuck until I met Daniel. He’d grown up in a “ghetto” part of Miami where many of his friends had become parents in high school, and, as someone who had worked hard to better his situation and attend Columbia University, had a totally different mindset about STIs/STDs. I remember his eyes widening when I told him I’d never been tested. “That’s impossible!” he insisted, musing about the time he’d visited the hospital to get treated for burn and they’d unexpectedly offered him an AIDS test. It was true: these days you almost had to make an effort </span><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to get tested, especially if you live in a big city like New York where free clinics and STI/STD testing centers abound.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Go and Get Tested!<br /><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a48-1d06-ab52-9645fb69afc9" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47087247@N08/4428334221/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Image by Aloha Angelo Cavalli/Corbis </span><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cc</span></a></b></span></td></tr>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline;">Daniel refused to sleep with me until I got tested. Unlike the men in my past, with him I couldn’t sweet-talk my way out of it. As our romance blossomed, I found myself tormented by thoughts of sickly AIDS patients, of the possibility that I’d contracted the virus and had been living in ignorance. That one slip of paper could spell out my face—positive or negative—terrified me. But I needed to face reality, and give this new relationship a fighting chance, so I agreed to go. </span></span></b></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-7752d22a-1a44-16eb-9037-47e1a6206628" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline;">A few days later on one of those perfect fall mornings Daniel and I decided to play hookie from work and mosey on down the Chelsea STI/STD clinic. The enormous concrete box of a building with its peeling gray walls looked like the place one might receive bad news, but I hid my anxiety. </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After filling out paperwork, we sat in a waiting room for a good twenty minutes, maybe forty. My fears mounted as the time ticked on and I kept looking into Daniel’s rugged, open face for support; he squeezed my hand. My name was called first. I could feel my stomach somersaulting as I inched down the hallway to the testing room. When the nurse started taking blood, I completely lost it, recounting through tears all the potential times I could’ve contracted HIV, making her promise (which she wasn’t even permitted to do) that I was clean. Thankfully, the wait to receive that slip of paper wasn’t as long as I’d expected -10 minutes max. My results had me jumping up and down, smothering Daniel in hugs, and on my own little high that lasted well into the following day. Even if I never </span><span style="font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">truly</span><span style="line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> thought I had HIV it was important—no, crucial—to know for sure. </span></span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline;">Do you want to share your STI/STD testing experience in the city?</span></span></div>
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.thethump.com/">www.thethump.com</a>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-32788731280874831002013-06-04T03:17:00.001-07:002013-06-23T17:11:57.418-07:00No more Cunnilingus after what happened to Michael Douglas<span id="docs-internal-guid-2b4357ba-0e97-c142-72d4-616f3f9a4070"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Michael_Douglas_VF_2012_Shankbone.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;">CC</a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Michael Douglas, 2012 by </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://blog.shankbone.org/" style="font-size: small; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;">David Shankbone</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When America heard from Michael Douglas on Monday, June 3rd that his throat cancer </span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/03/health/hpv-oral-cancer-explainer/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">may have been caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) through cunnilingus</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (oral sex performed on a woman), many readers must have shuddered. Some by the thought of contracting oral cancer through performing oral sex and others by the thought of not receiving it anymore. After all, in a study </span><a href="http://kajal-sex.blogspot.com/2013/05/4-oral-sex-rules-you-must-comply-with.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quoted by the Kaja Sex blog (2013)</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, coitus made women orgasm only 25% during their sexual escapades with their partners, “but oral sex brought them to climax practically every time”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So lets us look beyond the CNN article, go a bit deeper into what is causing these cases cancer, the strain of the virus behind it, how many cases there are each year and how you can reduce the risk of transmission. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>So what is this human papillomavirus?</b></span></h3>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-2b4357ba-0e98-0475-de9e-f30c5c255569"><span style="font-family: Georgia; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To understand the meaning of a term, I like to take it apart: 'Human' is pretty clear so is 'virus'. But what about this </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Papilloma</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? Actually we have two words combined here: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">papilla</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> stems is a Latin word and means “nipple/swelling” and the Greek suffix </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-oma</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in medical context indicates a morbid (i.e. unhealthy) growth/tumor. So the name itself means ‘a virus that causes unhealthy growth of nipple/swellings with humans’. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It received that name because the virus <a href="http://www.studlife.com/scene/2009/10/14/hpv-the-facts/">was first classified in 1956 to cause skin warts</a>. However since then over 40 different types have been found and they infect various parts of the body from cervix, anus, general pubic skin area, feet to even inside our throat. In most cases our immune system fights these infections and no symptoms develop. However, in some cases cancerous cells can develop over time (usually many years). The strains HPV16 and HPV18 have been identified to be the main cause of cervical and anal cancer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These numbers look high and in fact, as we already covered in our trust article, HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the United States. In fact, it is so common, that nearly all of sexually active <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm">individuals will get HPV at one point in their lives</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, let us compare some numbers from general HPV infection down to HPV-induced throat cancer cases to get a better picture:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In 2010, the Center of Disease Control (CDC) estimated an <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats10/other.htm#foot3">overall prevalence of HPV in the United States of 23%</a>, over 76 Million individuals.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When we look only at the oral infections of HPV, this <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/oral-hpv-more-common-in-men-than-women/">number goes down to 1 in 15 (6.67%) Americans</a>, approximately 21 Million. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And as we focus only on the <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/oral-hpv-more-common-in-men-than-women/">dangerous HPV16 strain, it is 1% of Americans</a> or roughly 3.16 Million individuals. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And with these 3.16 Million HPV16 infections, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_papillomavirus#Cancer">about 7,000 throat cancer cases</a> are associated each year. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of these 7000 cases, the <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100607165730.htm">survival chances are actually better than with other types</a> of cancer. In a study in 2010 conducted with 323 throat cancer patient, the three year survival rate for patients with HPV-positive tumors was 82.4 percent compared to 57.1 percent with HPV-negative cancer. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And last but not least, where would cancer be without tobacco. In the same study, the three-years survival rate for non-smokers was 93% while those of smokers was only 70%.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another disadvantage when it comes to oral HPV is being a Man. Men are found to be both generally more infected with oral HPV and also <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_papillomavirus#Cancer">suffer around 4 times more cases</a> of HPV induced throat cancer than women. The exact reasons for this imbalance are still unclear. Some <a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/oral-hpv-more-common-in-men-than-women/">speculate that hormonal differences</a> in women might help protect them from the virus. Others deem that oral sex on women for some reason causes a greater likelihood of transmission. I also asked a question <a href="http://www.healthtap.com/">HealthTap</a> and <a href="https://www.healthtap.com/#user_questions/810108">Dr. Jeff M. Livingston responded</a> that ' the current thought is that the vagina harbors HPV more frequently therefore so men performing oral sex are at higher risk'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Besides oral sex, it is even speculated that oral HPV <a href="http://drjengunter.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/how-common-is-hpv-in-the-mouth-and-can-you-get-it-by-kissing/">can be transmitted by kissing</a> or other means as in some studies, patients were diagnosed HPV positive that never had sex or oral sex. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">cc</a> - Delicious Mango by<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23128631@N00/1467668334/">Miro42</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com/">Compfight</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>HPV-induced oral cancer cases on the rise</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To get a perspective on the trend of these HPV-induced throat cancer cases, I talked to Dr. William Owen in the Davies Medical Center. He has been working with sexual health before HIV was even known and can provide a truly holistic view:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dr. William Owen, photo from <a href="http://www.owenmed.com/">owenmed.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It has been said that we are witnessing a rise in diagnoses of oropharygeal cancer attributable to HPV over recent years. This increase is definitely a phenomenon that I've observed over the 3.5 decades that I have been in private medical practice in San Francisco. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think that the key to this rise is the latency, that is, the long "incubation period" between the time one is infected with HPV and the time when he or she begins to develop manifestations of cancer. We see this pattern of latency with HPV related anal and cervical cancers as well.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And on the note that Michael Douglas might have stated that cunnilingus was also the best cure for throat cancer, Dr. Owen crushes our hope for this false remedy but thanks Michael anyway:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I think that Michael Douglas was being a bit facetious when he was quoted as saying that cunnilingus is the best cure for throat cancer. Although the statement might seem outrageous, time and again we've seen that whenever a star weighs in on some serious disease, people listen. Farah Fawcett did this for anal cancer, Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor for AIDS, Michael Fox for Parkinson's, and the list goes on. The point is that these luminaries raise public awareness about these often neglected medical conditions."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>How to reduce risk of transmission of oral HPV</b></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are a number of options available today to prevent or greatly reduce the risk of an oral HPV transmission:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>There is a vaccine</b>! Gardasil is available today for men and women under 26 (Cervarix for women). It protects the body against the dangerous HPV types 16 and 18 that are related to various types of cancers, as well as type 6 and 11 which are related to the genital warts. Ideally, the three shots should already be given to children at the age of 9 - way before they become sexually active and are exposed to the virus. So get vaccinated if you are under 26. Unfortunately, <a href="http://www.bringmethenews.com/2013/03/18/not-enough-children-getting-hpv-vaccine-mayo-doctors-say/">way too little Americans are receiving</a> all three shots of the HPV vaccination today.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is a condom for cunnulingus. It is called a dental dam, a 6x6 inch latex sheet that can be placed over the vagina or anus. Check out the Blisstree blog for <a href="http://www.blisstree.com/2013/03/11/sex-relationships/sex/dental-dams/">more information and instructions</a>. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Keep good oral hygiene and ask your dentist to <a href="http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2012/04/sex-and-oral-cancer.html">include cancer screening of the posterior areas of your mouth</a> in your annual dental exam. As with so many conditions, treatment options and success rate will be tremendously higher if the cancer can be detected early. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Reducing Partners: The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York estimates that men who give oral sex to 6 or more women <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/oral-cancers-hpv-epidemic-men-preventable-article-1.1361894">are 8.6X more likely to contract HPV-induced throat cancer</a> than those men who never had oral sex. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On the regular oral cancer screenings, Dr. Owen also states:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The key is to be aware of your body and to see the doctor to check out any suspicious growths, whether in the mouth, on the tongue, or in the neck glands (lymph nodes). That's because the earlier you find these cancers, the more likely it is to treat them successfully. So remember that your dentist can be a powerful ally in helping to diagnose mouth related cancers at an early stage.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To sum it up, a huge part of our society is affected by HPV, many carry the virus orally and 1% even carries the high risk HPV16 strain. However, as Dr. Debby Herbenick concludes in <a href="http://blogs.menshealth.com/health-headlines/should-you-stop-having-oral-sex/2011/03/01#ixzz2VEItJTHy">Men’s Health (2011)</a>, “most people who give or receive oral sex will not get HPV. And most people who get HPV will not go on to develop cancer”. Again, its our immune system that keeps the virus from developing further in most cases. So keep that immune system up and running and reduce your risk as appropriate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Follow up action for you:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please make a list of your relatives and friends with children. Give them a quick call and ask them or their parents if the HPV Vaccination has been given. <u><a href="http://www.aafp.org/online/en/home/publications/news/news-now/health-of-the-public/20111026acip-hpv-hepb.html">Insist that it should be given to <b>boys as well as girls</b></a>.</u> And as Dr. Owen recommends: "even if they missed that age 9 to 14 timeframe, do motivate them to get vaccinated against HPV as soon thereafter as practicable." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en">CC</a> - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/17547754@N03">Gardasil vaccine and box</a> by Jan Christian</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-76085054142555571982013-05-29T23:43:00.000-07:002013-06-14T09:33:43.762-07:005 High Tech Tools For STDs: How They Work and Surprising Ways They're Used<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7ac3b98c-f3d4-01c8-d858-e45ea9a9f85f" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br /></span>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-7ac3b98c-f3d4-01c8-d858-e45ea9a9f85f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just so you know, the </span><a href="http://www.hivplusmag.com/case-studies/prevention/2012/09/07/quick-swab-quick-results" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that 20% of Americans with HIV, or about 240,000 people, are unaware they are positive. Since these people don’t know their status, they cause between 54% and 70% of new HIV infections each year. It also has become big problem amongst our youth as </span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/HIVAmongYouth/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">60% of youth (ages 13-24) do not know</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> they are infected. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I know, right?</span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-7ac3b98c-f3d4-01c8-d858-e45ea9a9f85f"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;">HIV/STD Home Testing</u></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#1 <a href="http://www.beforewedo.com/">BeforeWeDo</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Yes, that is us... </span></span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal; white-space: pre-wrap;">Excuse the ruthless self-promotion but this is after all our blog ;-). </span><b style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, how are we to get better about routinely knowing our HIV status you ask? </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.beforewedo.com/" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none;">Sign up for an In-Home STD test subscription</a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The shipped FDA approved rapid HIV tests allow you to take a swab of your saliva and get your results in 20 minutes - no lab, no blood and no needles. Based on your risk, you receive the tests automatically when it is recommended for you to screen. It’s the easiest way to do the responsible thing. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">P.S Don’t worry about your neighbors snooping to see what the package is, it’ll come in a brown paper wrapping so your privacy is protected </span><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(In-Home Gonorrhea and Chlamydia to be included upon user request). </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now let's look at our friends out there! Here’s a list of additional sexual health techies who created high tech online tools for STI/STD prevention: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-7ac3b98c-f3d4-01c8-d858-e45ea9a9f85f"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7ac3b98c-f3d5-d6e9-74e8-00a1e5d41357"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Partner’s Health Verification</u></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7ac3b98c-f3d5-5cc1-92a7-e21f3ba77ac6"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">#2 </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://qpid.me/" style="text-decoration: none;">Qpid.me</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: In just a mere 3 minutes you can you can send a request to the location or doctor where you got last tested, get your STD test results uploaded, and Voila, you are ready to share your test results to your next hook-up or new beau. “Don’t believe I’ve recently gotten tested and that I’m clean?” “Ok, fine. Let me send you a quick text to share my results.” </span></b><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“See, I told ya.” </span></b><b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What a clever way to help us “spread the love and nothing else," </span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=2067762&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ramin Bastani</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: normal;"><b><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Surprising way it’s used:</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “I never expected people to use Qpid.me as an ice-breaker! We hear stories of people using it at bars/clubs as an interesting opener.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Ramin Bastani, Founder/CEO of Qpid.me </span></b></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><i><b>Partner Notification</b></i></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">#3</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><b><a href="https://www.sotheycanknow.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So They Can Know</span></a><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once you get tested, you can have the STD convo by </span><a href="http://blogs.redorbit.com/std-prevention-goes-high-tech-part-2/" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">anonymously sending an email</span></a><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or a video to your “sexy” partner. “What, you mean, asking your partner to get tested doesn’t have to be so damn awkward anymore?” “Nope.” As a fellow MPH graduate myself, thank you </span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=113943821&locale=en_US&trk=tyah" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jessica Lad</span></a><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for making this a little easier. </span></span></i></span><br />
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<b><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qHUO8CTG_g/UabiraiXdFI/AAAAAAAAAKU/NLFqHmwWCRw/s1600/sotheycanknow+(2).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="159" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2qHUO8CTG_g/UabiraiXdFI/AAAAAAAAAKU/NLFqHmwWCRw/s320/sotheycanknow+(2).png" width="320" /></span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Screenshot of Sotheycanknow.org 5/29/13</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">#4 </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">InSPOT</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> You have a casual hook-up or you just got into a new relationship. How do you say “Um, there’s a big chance you may have contracted an STI/STD from me.” Craft an anonymous message, choose your card to your liking, and send to your one night stand. What's even better is that these cards link back to interactive maps of free and low cost STI/STD testing sites. </span></span></span><b id="docs-internal-guid-7ac3b98c-f3d5-5cc1-92a7-e21f3ba77ac6"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7ac3b98c-f3d6-9d43-08d9-fbf2a380e139"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=7711333&locale=en_US&trk=tyah" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deb Levine</span></a><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Founder/Executive Director of YTH), smart move to encourage us tell the truth, thanks. </span></span></b></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><i><b>Skin related diagnostics</b></i></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">#5</span><b><b><b id="docs-internal-guid-7ac3b98c-f3d6-9d43-08d9-fbf2a380e139"><i><b id="docs-internal-guid-7ac3b98c-f3d6-9d43-08d9-fbf2a380e139" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-7ac3b98c-f3d8-fdcb-391d-8cc8b75ea0c2" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://stdtriage.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">STD Triage </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(powered by </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okJ2CG6g7pU&feature=player_embedded#!" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">IDoc24</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><a href="http://www.wired.com/business/2013/03/std-triage/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Got a Burning Question?</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Here’s your chance to submit an anonymous image of your (insert genital type) to a group of licensed dermatologists. Get a first response within 24 hours about what skin problem your best piece might have, pretty quick eh? </span><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=17041106&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alexander Borve</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, you’ve just saved us countless hours of worrying.</span></b></span></b></i></b></b></b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">Screenshot of STD Triage App 5/29/13</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Surprising way it’s used</span></b></b><b><b><b><i><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: “25% actually have something like herpes, syphilis or genital warts. The most common is herpes. Comparing "users" from Sweden and USA, the cases that come in from Sweden are actual diseases while cases from the U.S are more frequently benign. Maybe this has to do with sexual education?” - Alexander Borve, Founder/CEO iDoc24</span></b></span></b></span></b></i></b></b></b></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-6338200512407053482013-05-24T13:19:00.000-07:002013-05-24T13:19:33.547-07:00Bang With Friends: New Age of Hook-Ups or Walking STDs? The Best Comments and Our App to Screen Them Before You Bang’em<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7c2-cb04-fc5b-be6365ac6fa5" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7c4-f5ee-33ec-b3a1d18132df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s official. </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bang-with-friends-co-founder-interview-2013-4" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bang With Friends</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (BWF), the Facebook application that allows people to find friends who are ready to hookup for sex, has gone mobile with an Android app that offers new features. The iPhone app was also launched but was promptly </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/20/bang-with-friends-app-store-apple_n_3306576.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">booted from the Apple App Store</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> shortly thereafter. Darn. It was pulled just as they provided the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Undo a Bang” feature, solving the problem of selecting the wrong friend after too many tequila shots. Another new feature--for those of us who don’t just want to hit it and quit it--is a “Hangout First” option. </span></b></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7c2-cb04-fc5b-be6365ac6fa5" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--E601_TdiRk/UZ-1Fb7MbwI/AAAAAAAAAJw/-J3JTuGmiS4/s1600/BWF+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--E601_TdiRk/UZ-1Fb7MbwI/AAAAAAAAAJw/-J3JTuGmiS4/s400/BWF+.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot of Bang With Friends.com - Booted, 5/24/13</td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></b>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7c2-cb04-fc5b-be6365ac6fa5" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7c4-f5ee-33ec-b3a1d18132df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since its January launch, BWF has signed up over 820,000 users, 70 percent of which are between 18 and 34 years old. </span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But this is just one of several hookup and dating apps now being used to establish connections. </span><a href="http://www.gotinder.com/index.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tinder</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which has </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/25/fashion/on-a-phone-app-called-tinder-looks-are-everything.html?_r=0" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">facilitated 24 million matches to date</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, is a location based app that finds people nearby who like you. </span></b></b></span><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7c2-cb04-fc5b-be6365ac6fa5" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7c4-f5ee-33ec-b3a1d18132df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It connects you with them if you also express interest. </span><a href="http://grindr.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grindr</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which a year ago </span><a href="http://grindr.com/blog/C23" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">exceeded 4M users</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, is similar to Tinder but targeted to the male gay and bi-sexual community. For those who like it less direct, the </span><a href="http://www.okcupid.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OKCupid</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> app, which </span><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-15/love-is-blind-and-costs-3-at-okcupid" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">has 3.8M active users</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is one of the most popular for singles aged 18-34 years. It shows you who’s nearby to flirt but it’s not anonymous. And on the most conservative side, </span><a href="https://www.trintme.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trintme</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> allows Facebook friends to express more intentions and can start with even just a coffee.</span></span></b></b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18px;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7c2-cb04-fc5b-be6365ac6fa5" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7c4-f5ee-33ec-b3a1d18132df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Still, those new apps introduce a whola lotta new banging and grinding. And as we wrote in our previous blog post, a </span><a href="http://blog.beforewedo.com/2013/05/to-trust-or-not-to-trust-that-is.html?showComment=1369234167121" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">feeling of trust can produce the false feeling of knowing</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> your partner's STI/STD status. Will people be less likely to use protection or ask their partner’s sexual health status if they bang friends instead of strangers? Will the opportunity for immediate hook-ups decrease the chance that partners will take time to talk about sexual health just because they’re ready for action...NOW? </span></b></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVv6MtW2CTk/UZ-v4_bvvLI/AAAAAAAAAJY/jxUEb_7dAA8/s1600/sex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AVv6MtW2CTk/UZ-v4_bvvLI/AAAAAAAAAJY/jxUEb_7dAA8/s400/sex.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/43682941@N00/2213336737/" style="text-align: start;">icanteachyouhowtodoit</a><span style="text-align: start;"> via </span><a href="http://compfight.com/" style="text-align: start;">Compfight</a><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/" style="text-align: start;">cc</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I read over 50+ comments that were in reaction to Bang With Friends going mobile. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of people who commented on the future of our sexual health (or made a pun or joke about it). Here are some of the most popular comments: </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7ec-9fce-708f-90b6145f95f6" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></i></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1;"><i><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7ec-9fce-708f-90b6145f95f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. “Sooner or later BWF will change its name to STDs.”</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1;"><i><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7ec-9fce-708f-90b6145f95f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Can you also earn badges that say "I have had a comprehensive STD test"? </span></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1;"><i><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7ec-9fce-708f-90b6145f95f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. “HIV with friends, AIDS with friends, Syphilis with friends...”</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1;"><i><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7ec-9fce-708f-90b6145f95f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. “</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coming Soon. An App that lets you know that your previous-partner-but-has just had a "tune-up" and you should probably get one, too: Bang With Penicillin!”</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1;"><i><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7ec-9fce-708f-90b6145f95f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1;"><i><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7ec-9fce-708f-90b6145f95f6" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. “Explosion of STDs...”</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. “</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #414141; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What will Bang With Friends do to STD occurrences on college campuses?” -<a href="http://racetalkblog.com/2013/02/05/it-was-only-a-matter-of-time-say-hello-to-bang-with-friends/"> wrote Brittany Falconer</a> on RaceTalk Blog </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a big, big window of opportunity for these hookup/dating apps to not only encourage their users to bang their </span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Facebook</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> friends, neighbors, co - workers, etc. but to make it a habit to wrap it up and check their status. On a Developer Week Hackathon in San Francisco, we coded an app in response to the hookup craziness called </span><a href="http://www.screenyourfriends.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ScreenYourFriends</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> which allows you to guess when your buddies were tested last and, if you guess right, you win a prize. </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tEBO6bDGv0Ri8xlCSA9QxrRFMShAWFsjf8VSYOoKWoG4W5caJBUIV0IN2z_RaWJNJMrx48thB_PvdCjAUvdoeHcnlAoPypAa1Sb4pxtlKcEs7rK6jE1FxwHo" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7c5-7052-7428-a3407af442af" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Anonymized Screenshot of ScreenYourFriends.com, 5/23/2012</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7eb-4d62-8e80-ff07b3fa62c5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4d5dcd0e-d7eb-4d62-8e80-ff07b3fa62c5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now that was just a hack (quick and dirty software build over a weekend) but I would love to see a status update like: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“ Luv4You has just received a badge of honor for getting STI/STD tested.”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before you BWF, make sure you BWD (</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.beforewedo.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BeforeWeDo</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) and get yourself tested. Then make sure your friends get themselves tested, too. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That being said, should it be the responsibility of hookup/dating apps to promote safe sex and regular STI/STD testing? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-60554809485791680582013-05-17T10:32:00.000-07:002013-06-20T15:39:59.725-07:00New Kid on the Block? How We Won Startup Weekend <b id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
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<b style="line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The following is a repost from the <a href="http://startupweekend.org/2013/05/15/new-kid-on-the-block-how-we-won-startup-weekend/">Startup Weekend Blog</a>, a 54 hour event where developers, designers, marketers, product managers, and startup </span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>enthusiasts come together to launch a startup. </i></b></span></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ever been that new kid on the block? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have. </span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DR5wuH6vxk/UZZfXFJkEZI/AAAAAAAAAI4/STpe2o-dLEw/s1600/Alyssa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3DR5wuH6vxk/UZZfXFJkEZI/AAAAAAAAAI4/STpe2o-dLEw/s400/Alyssa.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Alyssa Mompoint, Image by <a href="http://gregorylgo.com./">Greg Go</a></span></td></tr>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On a whim, I joined </span><a href="http://swbay.startupweekend.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Startup Weekend Bay Area</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I didn't know what to expect. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and I didn’t think I would win. But I did. Now, I’m not a programmer. I’m not a web designer. I’m not that business savvy. Turns out, you don’t have to be. All you need is the right team who shares your vision (or one that thinks your idea is cool enough to eat and breathe for the next 54 hours). Be ready to lead and be led, be open-minded, and hustle. If you are, well, then I’m confident your idea can win Startup Weekend as a first timer, just like Tester.ly (now </span><a href="http://www.beforewedo.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BeforeWeDo</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) did. </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Without further ado, here’s what you need to know to win over crowd, the judges and the entire weekend:</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. It’s All In The </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://transcribeme.com/blog/how-to-win-at-startup-weekend-infographic" style="text-decoration: none;">Pitc</a>h</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> Pick an idea you know, that’s clear, and relatable. The idea I came with was In - Home STD Test Subscriptions. No one likes to talk about STDs (which is a problem in it of itself). It’s not fun. It’s not that cool. So, how do you take an idea that by nature is uncomfortable and get people to pay attention? Make it </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">personal</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. I started with </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sex is Amazing.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">” (Mostly because it is and I knew everyone, if not all, have experienced it). When I sat down, the person next to me whispered in my ear, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">”That was the most exciting pitch yet.” </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Case in point, your pitch MUST catch the attention of the audience. So, be bold and unique. It is also very important that you practice it BEFORE you pitch at least 10 times to yourself and to someone else. This will ensure that you deliver your pitch with as much ease and confidence as possible. Keep in mind, there could easily be 30+ pitches that night (this event had 37) so be sure yours is the one that sticks. </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Pimpin’ Ain’t Easy. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have zero sales experience (I surely did), now is your chance to get it. Here’s the deal--you’ll find some people who are on the fence between putting a post-it on your idea or someone else’s. (Only the top 20 ideas are allowed to create a team). So, you better become a self-proclaimed PR agent to promote and sell your idea as best as you can. It’ll be up to you to convince those indecisive ones which team to join. Know there’s an </span><a href="http://techli.com/2011/10/startup-weekend-success-changes/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">unfair ratio</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of business people to developers to designers, so it’s imperative that you walk around the room to ask who hasn’t voted or joined a team yet and if not, why? (In this case, having the actual HIV In-Home test came in handy because instead of explaining how it works, I just showed it. So, if your idea has an actual product that goes along with it, bring it!). If you </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">just</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> stand by your poster, then there is a huge chance that you’ll be overlooked, miss out on votes, and miss out on attracting key team members. You’ll need at least one programmer, designer, and business/marketing person to have a well rounded team. Get to pimpin’.</span></b></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Map Out A Plan First</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Develop some type of backlog whether it is by way of an online tool, like Trello, or a white poster paper with markers. We </span><a href="http://www.fullcontact.com/blog/trello-project-management/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">used Trello</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> because it was user friendly, simple, and more importantly it allowed us to visually see who was assigned what, what was currently being worked on, and what was completed. In fact, we also used a white sheet of paper to list the tasks and deadlines to ensure that we stayed as efficient as possible. (Remember you only have 54 hours). </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Side note: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Might I suggest you list and assign tasks Friday night? That way, first thing Saturday morning you’re able to get right to work. </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Focus And Pivot As Needed, Please. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re going to be very tempted to want to include all the bells and whistles for your product/service or even attempt to roll out marketing strategies. While they may prove to be critical if you pursue your idea beyond the weekend, they might not be a priority for the Sunday presentation. Think about if your product/service is actually </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">solving</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the problem. Be honest. For us, the numbers on both a customer side and business profit side signaled for us to pivot to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">just</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> an In-Home HIV test subscription plan (originally, I wanted to include In-Home gonorrhea and chlamydia tests in the plan package). Why? It was just more focused that way. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disclaimer:</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> You are being judged on execution, the business model, and customer validation. You have 54 hours. Focus, focus, focus. Oh and did I mention focus?</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8fGMSzMqzNA/UZZizkVncoI/AAAAAAAAAJI/q9sHCsIlzbc/s1600/AIDS+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8fGMSzMqzNA/UZZizkVncoI/AAAAAAAAAJI/q9sHCsIlzbc/s400/AIDS+(1).jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/31512354@N00/70066444/" style="text-align: start;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gustavo da Cunha Pimenta</span></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="text-align: start;"> via </span><a href="http://compfight.com/" style="text-align: start;">Compfight</a><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/" style="text-align: start;">cc</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">5. Go Ahead And Flirt A Little. </span><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">There are coaches there to help you, seriously. Find and schmooze with one. If you’re lucky they may even align with your vision and have a personal interest in your idea. They can give you valuable feedback, save you some time and energy on developing something you really don’t need, and give you an idea that you yourself may not have even thought of. Cheers to </span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=32681343&locale=en_US&trk=tyah2" style="text-decoration: none;">John Beadle</a>:</span><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> your input was invaluable!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">6</span><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">Use The Crowd And Mentors Wisely.</span><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> One of the three main things you are judged on is customer validation i.e. do people actually want to use your product/service? There a few ways to achieve this either through online surveys, launching a Google Adwords campaign </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">(unless you have some high rollers on your team, I wouldn’t suggest it because it’s very expensive and again you only have 54 hours)</span><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> social shares using Facebook or twitter, or more importantly the number of “sign ups” or product sales (nothing beats this) you have by Sunday at 5pm. While we used some of these, you have a room of at least 50+ people. </span><a href="http://techli.com/2011/10/startup-weekend-success-changes/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Use them</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">This is how I worked it in. When 2 female mentors and 1 female Startup Weekend volunteer came around and asked if we had any questions, I responded by saying, “Yes, in fact, would you be willing to be interviewed about your STD testing experience?” (I prefaced it by saying let me know if you’re not comfortable sharing to avoid offending anyone). Why? Because their sole purpose of being there </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">is</span><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> to help and women tend to be more open about this topic than men. I then asked one of the females who I interviewed if she would be willing to go around the room for me and ask if anyone else would be willing to share their experience. Not only did this save me recruiting time, but she was able to assure them it’s not as uncomfortable and awkward as they may have originally thought. After all, she had already done it! Think of it this way, it was an easy way to create a little crowd buy-in, make it personal, and we even quoted some in our final pitch. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">7. Visualize Your Presentation. Literally.</span><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> No one likes reading slides. No one likes lots of words. Most of us have the attention span of a gnat. Use visuals for your PowerPoint presentation but use them strategically so that you not only paint the picture that there </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">is</span><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> problem but effectively communicate to the crowd that your product is the </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;">solution</span><span style="font-style: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"> to the problem. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.slideshare.net/maxprogram/testerly" style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" title="Testerly">Testerly</a> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;"> from </span><strong style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/maxprogram" target="_blank">Max Olson</a></strong></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-0f324698-b362-6597-1adb-749c7a765094" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;">8. Perfect Practice Makes Perfect.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"> We </span><a href="http://www.growdetroit.com/how-to-win-at-startup-weekend/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">turned</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"> Guy Kawasaki’s </span><a href="http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2005/12/the_102030_rule.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">10/20/30 Rule</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"> into 5/5/30 to keep the final pitch engaging and focused. Learn it. Use it. Love it. More importantly, saddle down a coach to listen to your final pitch to make sure you’re hitting the points they’re looking. For your final pitch, present it in such a way that you tell a story and create a sense of urgency to engage the audience. Make it clear that there’s a market for your product/service, show that people want to use it, that your idea is better, and oh yea that it can make money. Now, practice it a hundred times (or as much as time will allow).</span></span></b></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-60278855189244413342013-05-14T10:29:00.000-07:002013-05-22T16:49:39.413-07:00To Trust or Not to Trust? That Is the Question.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AN16n55p-i4/UZJtJXR54aI/AAAAAAAAACE/TN7mBQxGkUc/s400/questions+shutterstock_119778490.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrey Popov via <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The camera zooms in on a 20-something man who looks anxious. He’s about to meet someone he met online and who he has identified as his dream girl. She’s a model who found him on Facebook and he’s become attached to her. He thinks there might be an opportunity to move closer to her and start a new life. He says he’s both excited and nervous to finally meet his online love. </span></b></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next, we see him standing in his driveway as a woman steps out of a car. She looks nothing like the photos on the model’s Facebook page and, in fact, it’s someone he knows from high school. She’s been creating fake profiles online to establish relationships. She’s a catfish and he’s confused. He’s been betrayed and his hopes have just been crushed.</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the last year, both the success of the show </span><a href="http://www.mtv.com/shows/catfish/episode.jhtml?episodeID=202861" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Catfish”</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and the </span><a href="http://reliablesources.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/27/unraveling-the-manti-teo-hoax/?iref=allsearch" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Manti Te'o fake girlfriend hoax</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have elevated the discussion about just how far people will go to be dishonest in relationships. While these are extreme examples of deception, they do pose valid questions for all of us. What can you trust? And when? And what should we be asking people before we fall in love or fall into bed with them?</span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recently, the BeforeWeDo team conducted a series of interviews with men and women about testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). Frequently, those surveyed told us they had not been tested or had not brought up the discussion about test results with partners because they “trusted” them. </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And want to know what the impact of that “trust” is? For at least one of our interviewees, it resulted in a sexually transmitted disease, a course of antibiotics, and the break up of an important relationship.</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Understanding that people are engaging in risky behavior as a matter of what they call “trust,” generated a lot of questions for me.</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isn’t Trust the Foundation of a Relationship?</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First, I started to wonder if it’s possible that people have misunderstood the rule that trust is the foundation of a relationship. Obviously, it is true that trust is a critical component in our relationships with everything from people to the products we use. However, to ensure we don’t misuse this idea, it might be worth looking more closely at this analogy. </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When new structures are being built, the foundation cannot be poured until other preparation takes place first. The land has to be tested and graded, and then some rudimentary systems need to be put in place. Only after these steps are taken, can the foundation be poured. </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So if we want to hold to the idea of trust as a foundation, it should be understood that questions and getting to know someone are simply the necessary first steps.</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Trust or Blind Faith?</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next, I started to ask myself if people are labeling behavior correctly. </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to Dictionary.com, </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/trust?s=t" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“trust”</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is “reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc. of a person or thing; confidence.” So, trust builds based on consistency between words and behavior. We can rely on someone because he has shown that he does what he says he will do. Characteristics of trust include a basis of knowledge and repetition that provide a sense of certainty.</span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meanwhile, </span><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blind+faith?s=t" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“blind faith”</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is defined by Dictionary.com as “belief without true understanding, perception, or discrimination.” </span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The term “blind faith” seems to better fit a situation in which someone believes a partner is STI-free without having any reason to believe. </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is This Just Excuse Making to Avoid Difficult Conversations?</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is the concept of trust simply being used as an excuse to avoid difficult conversations? Rather than acknowledge that they are uncomfortable with testing and STI discussions, are people calling themselves trustworthy because they don’t want to refer to themselves as scared?</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If this is the problem, it’s time to confront those fears because getting an STI is scarier than asking a question. Imagine how you might have to adjust your sex life and the conversations you will have to have if you contract an incurable STI like genital herpes. For more information on the complications that occur after getting an STI, check out this blog post that explains the problems: </span><a href="http://www.essence.com/2013/01/25/ask-dr-sherry-he-gave-me-std-and-now-i-can%E2%80%99t-move/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ask Dr. Sherry: He Gave Me an STD and Now I Can’t Move On.”</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t Trustworthy People Get STI’s?</span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every year millions of honest, trustworthy people contract STI’s and in many cases, they may not be aware that they are infected. According to the CDC, </span><a href="http://hivtest.cdc.gov/hpv.aspx" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">more than 50% of sexually active adults will get human papillomavirus</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (HPV) and most will not be aware they have it because they do not have symptoms. Meanwhile, </span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm#symptoms" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">strains of HPV can cause everything from genital warts to vaginal, anal, and penile cancer</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (among other types of cancers). In the case of HPV, if a person has not received the vaccine against it, they can get infected even if using condoms. And while HPV is the most widespread STI, it is estimated that more than 50 million Americans are infected with genital herpes. </span><a href="http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/std-sti/std-statistics.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As many as 90 percent of those infected may not be aware. </span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sources: </span><a href="http://www.census.gov/popclock/?intcmp=sldr1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">U.S. Census Population Clock</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats/STI-Estimates-Fact-Sheet-Feb-2013.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CDC Fact Sheet: Incidence, Prevalence, and Cost of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Questions to ask?</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So what are some of the questions that should be asked in order to make an educated decision about sexual health? Below are a few to get you started:</span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-3eebb574-a3f9-c109-e4b9-46abca3394df" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">· When were you last tested for STI’s and what were the results?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">· Which tests have you taken?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">· Have you had other partners since you were last tested?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">· How often do you get tested?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">· Want to see my results? (Results can be shared via services like </span><a href="https://qpid.me/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Qpid.me</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you need more help figuring out how to talk with potential partners, visit </span><a href="https://www.sotheycanknow.org/inform/talk" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tips and Scripts for Talking to Your Partners</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on </span><a href="https://www.sotheycanknow.org/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SoTheyCanKnow.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. You can also find suggestions in </span><a href="http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/the-hook-up-lets-talk-about-s-t-ds/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The Hookup: Let’s Talk about STD’s”</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on MTV’s It’s Your Sex Life site.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But Don’t You Trust Me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For people who care about their sexual health, questions from you about STI’s and testing should not be upsetting and instead welcomed. Conversely, be leary of people who do get upset when questioned because it can indicate they have something to hide or don’t have the emotional wherewithal for sexual involvement. Below are a few responses in case a potential partner protests with the question “Don’t you trust me?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No, I’m just getting to know you and trust builds over time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yes, I trust you but there are 20 million new STI infections a year in the U.S. and I don’t know your past partners and their histories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You may not be aware that you have an infection. People are often carriers and able to transmit some STI’s without even knowing they are infected.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because I trust what I know of you so far, I want to have sex with you. And because I want to have sex with you, I need to ask questions about a topic we haven’t discussed yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You might also just decide to end things right there if asked “don’t you trust me?” No one deserves to be manipulated or bullied into having sex without getting the facts straight about a potential partner’s STI status. Writer La Truly explains how this becomes an issue of self-worth in her blog about a man who </span><a href="http://madamenoire.com/196053/well-he-said-hes-clean-what-i-learned-from-almost-being-pressured-into-unprotected-sex/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">questioned her trust when she refused unprotected sex</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Questions for You</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our mission at BeforeWeDo.com is to eradicate STD’s and we are constantly seeking to understand better the dynamics of testing and having conversations about sexual health. Please help us learn by sharing your answers to the below questions in the comments section.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you bring up the conversation about STI’s with potential partners? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If not, what stops you from addressing it? </span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="font-size: 15px; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you ever trusted a partner wasn’t infected only to learn later that he or she was? What happened?</span></li>
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</b>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-91186585185094008792013-05-08T14:17:00.000-07:002013-05-13T20:52:41.191-07:00 Banned From Passing Out a Condom on Campus? 5 Schemes to Step Up Your Sexual Health Game<b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-7c48-3947-1e62-c4d3fa73449f" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">n case you didn’t know, the Boston College’s Administration </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/08/us/ban-on-free-condoms-jeopardizes-a-boston-college-group.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">banned</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Boston College’s </span><a href="http://www.bcssh.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Students for Sexual Health</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (BCSSH) from openly “</span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">distributing condoms because they are not congruent with the private, Jesuit college values and traditions." </span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fact that they are forced to have designated “safe” sites merely perpetuates the stigma of using a condom and blatant denial that college students have casual sex. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No wonder they are ranked #116 on </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.trojancondoms.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?ArticleId=28" style="text-decoration: none;">Trojan’s 2012 Sexual Health Report Card.</a></span></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-7c48-3947-1e62-c4d3fa73449f" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to the President of Boston College Students for Sexual Health, the students can currently get STI/STD tested through their health services but many students don't know about it. It’s expensive and since most students are still on their parents' health insurance they won't get tested for fear of their parents finding out. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Interesting, Ithaca college keeps these charges labeled as ‘health services’ and </span><a href="http://www.ithaca.edu/sacl/healthpromotion/sexualhealth/sti/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">will not release </span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">itemized bills to parents without the student’s consent)</span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Furthermore, there is a huge - frankly pervasive - stigma around getting tested. While there have been campaigns in the past to lessen the stigma and educate the student body, the only other option so far has been to encourage students to go to the local Planned Parenthood.</span></b></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-811f-9e5c-7874-8b508441adfa" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As an attempt to fulfill the unmet sexual health needs of the student body, Boston College Students for Sexual Health (an unofficial student group) have launched a campaign </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/a/beforewedo.com/forms/d/1z6rVV3A1rj8yWDL4fhO33vCNCeu5vLZLnQunhI0btbU/viewform" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I Stand with BC Students for Sexual Health</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” Additionally, they started a </span><a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/BCSSHPetition" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">petition</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for a sexual health resource center and are collecting letters of support </span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to garner support they unrightly have not been getting. </span></span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-811f-9e5c-7874-8b508441adfa" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-811f-9e5c-7874-8b508441adfa" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-811f-9e5c-7874-8b508441adfa" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(You can send it to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1255cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">info@bcssh.com</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #232323; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span></span></b></b></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-7c48-3947-1e62-c4d3fa73449f" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Think Boston College is the only university to implement a “Condom Distribution Ban” policy in order to uphold the moral and religious value system of the Catholic Church? Guess Again. Here are 5 others:</span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-7c48-3947-1e62-c4d3fa73449f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having such a sexual health policy at the aforementioned schools goes beyond sustaining the religious integrity of the school, it can be argued as unconstitutional. After </span><a href="http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1986/9/27/students-sue-bu-in-free-speech/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">students sued Boston University</span></a><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the 1980s, (the school attempted to force students to remove an anti-apartheid poster from their dorm windows) the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act of 1979 was instituted to prohibit interference with civil rights by private </span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">public entities. In other words, as a student on campus, your free speech rights are protected whether your school is public or private. That being said, while it is widely accepted that there’s a prominent </span><a href="http://www.hercampus.com/school/conn-coll/confusing-values-reality-sexual-health-services-college-campuses" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">casual “hook-up” culture</span></a><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in college, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">should </span><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">condom distribution be allowed to be banned on campus?</span><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On <b>opposing</b> the distribution of condoms of condoms on campus...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On <b>supporting</b> the distribution of condoms on campus...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michael Galligan-Stierle, President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities </span><a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/03/27/catholic-colleges-show-solidarity-with-boston-college-condom-distribution-ban/zHwQW17fOPExM6bpJ132hN/story.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">said to Boston Globe</span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There are certain ways of living that we, Catholics, believe lead to a healthier and holier life,” This falls into one of many of those ways.”</span><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carol Rose,</span><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Executive director for the Americans Civil Liberties Union for Massachusetts,</span><b><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/08/us/ban-on-free-condoms-jeopardizes-a-boston-college-group.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">told New York Times</span></a></b><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They don’t have a right to impose their religious beliefs on students or faculty, through threats and intimidation, when those students or faculty are engaged in lawful and constitutionally protected activity.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jack Dunn, Spokesperson for Boston College, </span><b><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/boston-college-draws-support-on-condom-distribution-ban/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">told Catholic News Agency,</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We’re a private religiously affiliated institution. We reserve the right to set our policies and uphold those policies through our student guide. We ask students to understand that we have a unique faith perspective, and when they enroll in our institutions, they should be respectful of our Catholic values," he added</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marty Walz, President of the Planned said to Parenthood League of Massachusetts, </span><a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2013/04/02/boston-college-condoms-students-and-teachers/o4IWd9ulXjZrXMEOJ5sWoM/story.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>said to the Boston Globe</b></span></a><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>,</b> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Instead of threatening, what if BC said, “ We don’t totally love your message, but we respect the fact that you are taking responsibility for yourselves?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-7c48-3947-1e62-c4d3fa73449f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The controversy in the support or opposition of religious colleges banning condom distribution poses an important bigger question. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Should </span><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">there be a</span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> minimum requirement, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">if any,</span><span style="color: #222222; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of sexual health resources and services provided on campus (private or public)? </span><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Boston University (my alma mater), I remember there were baskets of Trojan condoms in the student health clinic waiting room and birth control was easily accessible. However, it was recently brought to my attention (despite having graduated in 2009) that my school did not offer on - campus STI/HIV testing.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, if you find that you are either forbidden to pass out condoms or that your sexual health needs aren’t being met, </span></b></span><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-7c48-3947-1e62-c4d3fa73449f" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-7c48-3947-1e62-c4d3fa73449f" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-7c48-3947-1e62-c4d3fa73449f" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-7c48-3947-1e62-c4d3fa73449f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here Are 5 Ways to <a href="http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2013/03/28/boston-college-alumni-why-our-alma-mater-is-wrong-for-denying-access-to-sexual-health-care/">S</a></span><span style="color: #1155cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://rhrealitycheck.org/article/2013/03/28/boston-college-alumni-why-our-alma-mater-is-wrong-for-denying-access-to-sexual-health-care/">tep up</a></span><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Your Sexual Health Game On Campus:</span></b></b></b></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Find out what sexual health services are provided. </span></span><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-8121-828d-cf4b-054e0daeff7e" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You may find your school offers everything you need. (condoms, birth control, </span><b style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15; white-space: normal;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">STI/STD</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> testing, peer/sexuality education groups etc.). </span></span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">If so, you’re in luck. If you don’t do the research, you could have been missing out on accessing services you need. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Start a “Students for Sexual Health” Group. </span><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite Boston College’s condom distribution ban, their </span><a href="http://www.bcssh.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Students for Sexual Health</span></a><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have made headlines for standing up for what they believe and taking action to achieve it - comprehensive sexual health services. After all, closed mouths don’t get fed. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Join </span><a href="http://www.cdcnpin.org/stdawareness/GYT.aspx" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MTV and Get Yourself Tested (GYT) Campaign</span></a><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Sign up to become a student </span><a href="http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/toolkit/campus-ambassador/new" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ambassador </span></a><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and get the GYT toolkit to bring </span></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">STI/STD</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> testing to your campus - </span></span><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-8120-7946-bbe6-7dd0c6c17323" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Encouraging your peers to start becoming proactive about knowing their status can help lessen the number of STIs that are spread.</span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GkMrjUIfU1g/UYhEy0GpySI/AAAAAAAAAII/aXeYnH9vMYM/s1600/condom+struggling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GkMrjUIfU1g/UYhEy0GpySI/AAAAAAAAAII/aXeYnH9vMYM/s320/condom+struggling.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53611153@N00/483906290/" style="text-align: start;">Darwin Bell</a><span style="text-align: start;"> via </span><a href="http://compfight.com/" style="text-align: start;">Compfight</a><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/" style="text-align: start;">cc</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. Set up a Condom Emergency Delivery Service.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t know how? </span><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-8121-f992-2997-388e66705702" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn from New Jersey college student </span></span></b><b style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kyle McCabe’s </span><a href="http://condam.net/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Condam</span></a><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, condom ambulance service. Help provide protection for your campus as fast as they need it when they need it. </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. Locate Sexual Health Services Off - Campus. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Check online at your school’s student health services. They may provide a “Clinic and Resources List.” </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No luck? </span><b id="docs-internal-guid-59776afc-812f-e37a-1e0a-5ec18f36823d" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.15;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chances are there’s a </span><a href="http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/findCenter.asp" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Planned Parenthood</span></a><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/prevention/default.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Free Clinic </span></a><span style="color: #222222; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nearby. Find one.</span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Which sexual health services </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">should </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.15; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a college be required to provide?</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-84846098066749210622013-05-01T18:22:00.001-07:002013-05-13T20:53:35.459-07:00 The 411 On America's Top Public Sex Spots and 8 New Ways to Master Them<div style="background-color: transparent;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-68bcee1f-6279-6ea5-30ba-c13f7fdf138f"></b><br /></span>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-68bcee1f-6279-6ea5-30ba-c13f7fdf138f"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Think the bedroom is the only place you can find sexual pleasure? Think again. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Out of 1,000 Americans polled by </span><a href="http://www.adameve.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adam & Eve</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://living.msn.com/style-beauty/simply-chic-blog-post/?post=7e2ba5ae-9f55-45f9-99a4-8bdc6eaeaa4c&_p=9a4d1bf2-78ef-4769-9515-8967a3dbdcf9" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">52% admitted</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to having sex in public. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In another study, 500 Americans provided details on their favorite public sex locations. We’ve listed those places below along with some suggestions to improve the experience.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NMdt_BIfKKo/UYGlzy37eaI/AAAAAAAAAHo/xpZNtLZJLfk/s1600/bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NMdt_BIfKKo/UYGlzy37eaI/AAAAAAAAAHo/xpZNtLZJLfk/s320/bathroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19073433@N00/31749644/">Resident on Earth</a> via <a href="http://compfight.com/">Compfight</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Car/Cab/Parking Garage </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(A fervently rocking car may be suspect). 31% of those surveyed said they had done it in a car and </span><a href="http://www.mid-day.com/relationships/2012/apr/170412-Places-people-have-sex-and-how-many-times-they-do-it.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">46% admitted</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to having at least fooled around in the back of a cab.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parks</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.18 percent of respondents said they’d done the deed in a park. (Parks are so popular in fact, that there’s a guide written for those of us in the Bay Area on the 50 locations to get it on in </span><a href="http://www.fiftyplaces.com/index.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Golden Gate Park</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fitting Room </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Go for the handicap fitting room).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Empty Classroom </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Try not to choose one with a peep window).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pool/Beach</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (or a lifeguard station for a less sandy and picturesque experience).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Utility Closet </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Make it a quickie to prevent claustrophobia). </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Movies</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Obviously catch the matinee but if the only option is a rated G movie, instead join the 9 percent who’ve said they have done it in a public bathroom).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Photo Booth</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Capture the moment, literally).</span></div>
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</i><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-68bcee1f-6279-6ea5-30ba-c13f7fdf138f"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here are some </span><a href="http://www.cracked.com/article_16778_the-10-worst-places-to-get-caught-having-sex.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not so public sex friendly</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> places to definitely avoid:</span></span></b></div>
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<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-68bcee1f-6279-6ea5-30ba-c13f7fdf138f"><i style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cop Car </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Unless you can swipe their handcuffs for foreplay).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Court</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Pleading the 5th may not be appropriate for defense).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Church</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (If it’s still standing, throw some holy water on it while reciting the Hail Mary).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drive -Thru</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (A burger and fries may increase your risk of a heart attack during the act).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While it can be a thrill having sex in public places, you should be aware of the following risks should you decide to do it:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Avoid Risk 1: Breaking the law</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In America, it’s a sexual faux-pas and </span><a href="http://www.askmen.com/dating/dzimmer_700/707_public-sex.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">completely illegal</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to have sex in public. (Or anywhere that’s not a bedroom, a sex club, swing or private club). What a buzz kill it would be to not only risk getting an STI but end up with handcuffs around your wrist on top of it. If you are looking to have public sex without worrying about getting arrested, travel to Amsterdam, Holland. The trick is, it must be at night, away from children, and you must clean up after yourself. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efFbv9FhT7M/UYGtN-rvvCI/AAAAAAAAAH4/IJHgJdb1wvM/s1600/VondelPark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-efFbv9FhT7M/UYGtN-rvvCI/AAAAAAAAAH4/IJHgJdb1wvM/s320/VondelPark.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It is perfectly OK for these couples to get naughty at night in<br />
<a href="http://m.flickr.com/photos/toniescuder/5661529907/lightbox/">VondelPark (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Image by Toni Escuder cc</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Avoid Risk 2: Catching an STI/STD</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether you are in a relationship, casually dating, or having a one night stand</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">it’s perfectly natural to want to liven up your sexual encounters by experimenting with where you have sex. However, it’s important to keep in mind that if you’re going to be sexually adventurous that you could inadvertently be putting yourself at higher risk of contracting an STI/STD. If you’re not comfortable in your own room asking to use a condom (where there’s a higher chance a condom will actually be available) or even inquiring about your partner’s STI/STD status, then do you really think you’ll bring it up in a restaurant bathroom? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Image by <a href="http://m.flickr.com/photos/paul/4322803797/lightbox/">Paul Schrieber cc</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m not saying you should not be sexually explorative, please, I encourage it. But, if you don’t use protection then you could end up with an STI/STD. So, keep a condom on hand.</span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What’s a public place you have explored having “safe” sex? (Yes, you can comment anonymously ;-)</span></span></b></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-19907461291948195242013-04-23T12:49:00.000-07:002013-05-13T20:54:40.210-07:00Carrying Your Own Condom is Worse Than Not Using A Condom At All?<b id="docs-internal-guid-1d0dfc56-3855-2cd7-e68b-f845b2f122c9" style="clear: right; float: right; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1d0dfc56-3863-71e4-d964-ec0baec43fce" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br /></span>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-1d0dfc56-3863-71e4-d964-ec0baec43fce" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ever think about how much does it really matters where you have sex, who carries the condom, or even what time or day you choose to have sex? Maybe more than you think. In this 3 part series, we will share how these 3 Sexual Habits may be affecting your sexual health and tricks on how to break em.’</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1d0dfc56-3863-71e4-d964-ec0baec43fce" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-1d0dfc56-3863-71e4-d964-ec0baec43fce" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a </span><a href="http://pwq.sagepub.com/content/19/4/563.abstract" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“social memory” study</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> done where 57 female undergraduates read a fictitious woman's diary describing a sexual encounter where the woman provided a condom, the man provided a condom, or the couple had unprotected intercourse. Now, they were asked to make behavioral and interpersonal judgments about the couple in addition to rating the female on several personality traits.</span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-1d0dfc56-3863-71e4-d964-ec0baec43fce" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you know what the result was?</span></b></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Women </span><a href="http://sexresearchandthecity.com/the-sluts-vs-the-studs/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rated the female’s behavior more negatively</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and inappropriate if the woman was the one providing the condom compared to her partner offering one or both not using any protection at all. In addition to judging the woman’s behavior from a moral standpoint, they also felt that the woman would think less of herself if she were the one to offer using a condom. (again, compared to her offering one or not using anything). </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zoOI_zAixeU/UXbitoT7uvI/AAAAAAAAAGI/zjoBilLUBQk/s1600/condom.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zoOI_zAixeU/UXbitoT7uvI/AAAAAAAAAGI/zjoBilLUBQk/s320/condom.jpeg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/medicalmuseum/4767454187/in/photostream">Image by <span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-align: start;">Otis Historical Archives of “National Museum of Health & Medicine”</span></a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quite the sexual double standard. Apparently, carrying your own condoms as woman is worse than not using a condom at all. Smh.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To be honest, I can count on one hand the number of times I have actually bought my own condoms. I have no problem getting my birth control or even getting my tampons. However, why is buying condoms still embarrassing? It shouldn’t be. Like the woman in the study, I assume I’ll be </span><a href="http://thefbomb.org/2012/11/buying-condoms/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">judged</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> negatively. Now, this does not make any sense, if I can’t be a big girl and buy condoms then I shouldn’t be having sex to begin with. Why do we assume it’s the </span><a href="http://www.ct.com/blog/thats-what-she-said/wtxx-carrying-condoms-now-with-more-sexism-20130412,0,6415291.story" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">man’s job to protect us</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">? This is the perfect example of how gender stereotypes continue to infiltrate our modern day dating culture. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, who should carry / buy and offer it?</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Billfold asked people about </span><a href="http://thebillfold.com/2012/08/who-should-pay-for-the-condoms-a-survey/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">whether the woman or the man should pay for condoms </span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and whose responsibility it is. The following were some of the main responses of the survey: </span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Women and men should be equally responsible for paying for condoms. </span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s the same debacle of who should pay for dinner. </span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They’re always free.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone can agree to have them in the house, girls can put them in purses, and boys wouldn’t have to always worry about putting them in their pockets.</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everyone should keep them in their bedside table. </span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The person more committed to being laid or the person more committed to using a condom.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For fear of ruining the pleasure and spontaneity, we are not consistently using condoms. This is why the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation </span><a href="http://www.grandchallenges.org/explorations/topics/pages/nextgenerationcondomround11.aspx" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Grand Challenge in Global Health</span></a><span style="background-color: white; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are offering $100,000 to someone who's clever enough to develop the next generation of condom. In case you did not know, condoms have been in use for about 400 years yet they have undergone very little technological improvement in the past 50 years. </span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Here’s the trick,</i> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">start buying your own condoms.</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Add them to your grocery list. Grab a box when you go to the drug store. Bring a girlfriend with you or ask a buddy to get some with the drink mixers. Keep a stash in your apartment, a few in your glove compartment, slip one into the nifty </span><a href="http://justincaseinc.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just In Case</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> compacts where you can hide it in your makeup. One can fit in a wallet and of course place a handful in the good ole’ sock drawer. It’s not his responsibility or hers’. It’s everyone’s.</span><br />
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<span style="font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When is the last time you went out a bought your own box of condoms?</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-88507118774314412762013-03-22T11:33:00.000-07:002013-06-22T12:24:37.277-07:00Should You Apply to the Founder Institute? My Pros / Cons and Tips Shared After Graduation<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span><b id="internal-source-marker_0.8524568791035563" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So you are thinking about joining the Founder Institute (FI)? Playing with the idea to create your own startup? Or your first startup in the States? I graduated from the 2012/2013 Silicon Valley chapter of the Founder Institute so let me share my experiences and also lessons learned with you. </span></b><br />
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8524568791035563"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Founder’s Institute is a 4 month startup acceleration / incubation program that uses top-down style classes (remember high school?), assignment and a pitch-driven approach to help you to formulate and drive startup ideas from first thought to incorporated business. </span></span></div>
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<li>Structured, well organized acceleration program that you apply to yourself and your own idea and later startup</li>
<li>Assessment to see whether you are the right fit for a startup entrepreneur lifestyle and to help you develop personally and qualify your idea</li>
<li>Great resources for each class (previous recorded talks, reading, templates, etc)</li>
<li>Incredible <a href="http://fi.co/mentors" target="_blank">network of mentors</a> that is accessible to you from day one.</li>
<li>Fellows during the program and graduates after the program form a strong peer-support community. This is especially important after graduation as you will continue to motivate each other to maintain a sense of urgency and professionalism for each other! Also helps that after graduation, we own small parts of each others' companies ;-)</li>
<li>A great <a href="http://fi.co/partners" target="_blank">partner network</a> - graduates will have access to special deals with vendors such as Rackspace, First Republic Bank, etc. </li>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.8524568791035563" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If the course fee and the 3.5% equity contribution are of concern to you, I suggest to read the Quora article on whether </span><a href="http://www.quora.com/Founder-Institute/Is-the-Founder-Institute-a-good-deal-for-entrepreneurs-Why-or-why-not"><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the Founder Institute a good deal for entrepreneurs.</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not very lean yet. 4 months are a long time for a lean startup to go through one serial curriculum of topics. I’d like an incubator to adopt lean practices, enforce iterative Build-Measure-Learn cycles with review milestones with standardized metrics at which point the founder either decides to stay on course or pivot. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Come with thick skin and expect some tough love. Feedback will be brutally honest which is great! However with one out of 25 Mentors or so... the feedback can even get a bit personal/mildly abusive. I’d like FI to keep up the brutal honesty but let's keep it professional at all times. At those times, just thank the judge and <u>don’t talk back</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Assignments are a lot of work but at the end, you don’t receive feedback on it from FI. So make sure you do them for yourself and your startup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's just part time. So if you already quit your job, this might not be enough of a structure for you to accompany your startup every day. So don’t rely on FI to manage your daily life but see it as an accompanying program.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Early Conclusion (see more below)</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Definitely apply if you are still in a job and would like help in figuring out if your idea or you are Startup ready</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Apply when you are new to the West Coast and want to build your advisory / mentor network.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Apply when you want to further your personal development and further strengthen your entrepreneurial toolbox.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For me, number 2 and 3 applied and for me, the Founder Institute was an awesome experience!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Convinced it is the right fit for you? Then<b> </b></span><b><a href="http://fi.co/join/graduate-Stefan_Broda"><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">go ahead and apply</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">!</span></b></span></div>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.8524568791035563" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/mishachellam" target="_blank">Misha Chellam</a> (Director of the FI SV Chapter), Stefan Broda and <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/adeoressi" target="_blank">Adeo Ressi</a> (Founder of FI) at the </i></span><b id="internal-source-marker_0.8524568791035563" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The longer version - to support your decision to apply or not</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Curriculum and Assignments</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Throughout the 4 months of the program, entrepreneurs receive lectures in a wide spectrum of startup-relevant topics. It starts with vision and values, to put your idea and the problems you want to address into perspective. “Pick an idea that is worth failing for” (</span><a href="https://twitter.com/StefanBroda/status/256644595146973184"><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks, Marcos Polanco</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">!) is the most important take-away I had from that session which made me pick BeforeWeDo amongst other ‘fun-app’ ideas I had. Then, the sessions take you from research, to naming/branding, legal, hiring, product development, finance, MVP, outsourcing, marketing/sales, publicity and... Surprise... fundraising. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each session is accompanied with assignments with homework in each of these topics. These assignments are all applied directly to your startup so you benefit from them but they also test how serious you are about it. Examples here are to create a newsletter which you then regularly send to all of your friends and family, a logo competition you are expected to launch, financial planning, engaging legal counsel, doing first product development etc. Don’t expect though that all your assignments are rated/reviewed. Although it felt like school, the assignments are primarily for yourself so you at the end are the ultimate judge about the quality and effort your want to put in. In hindsight, I think it would be good to integrate the sessions better with the assignments and have peer review implemented amongst the founders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Other blog posts like <a href="http://grishick.livejournal.com/149032.html" target="_blank">Founder Institute: the good, the bad... the gold</a> out there criticize the assignments to be too general and too software-specific. There must have been an overhaul of the assignments text because I did not feel that to be the case. </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As long as you remember that you do the assignments for yourself and not for a teacher, you will be fine!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pitches</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And let us not forget the pitches. At the Founder Institute, the major measure of your progress is your ability to clearly and convincingly pitch your startup in one minute at first, then <a href="http://techtalks.tv/talks/beforewedo-3-min-pitch-at-founders-institute-and-mentor-feedback/57918/" target="_blank">three minutes</a> without slides and at the end in three minutes with slides. Before and after each session, some founders need to pitch their startup in this format and receives a rating (1-5 without 3) and very honest and direct feedback. Key milestones of the program are three major mentor reviews in which every founder needs to present, is challenged by the mentors in a Q&A period and given more extensive feedback. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u>Very important</u></span><span style="font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: learn how to manage feedback. When mentors give you feedback... SHUT UP! Let me be clear... DON’T respond, explain, defend, etc... But DO take notes (or have someone in the audience take notes for you). Analyze later, then you can approach them in the bar afterwards and discuss further. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You probably will end up spending ⅔ effort on assignments and ⅓ on preparing and practicing pitching. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Commitment and Dropping out</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The program requires both a reasonable financial and time commitment (if you disregard the special assignments that you might receive at any time). It will however, require hard commitments from you such as the selection and engagement of a legal counsel and an incorporation of a C-Corporation for your business idea. So it is both, a resource to you for your personal development and a qualification mechanism to go from “playing startup” to “doing startup”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whenever you ask a group of people to show commitment and to cope with challenging assignments, you can expect dropouts. At Founder Institute, the churn was significant as we started with over 44 individuals and graduated with 16. You are invited to join a later chapter and we actually had 2 graduates my term that were former dropouts but I had the impression that the majority of dropouts would not re-apply. But that is OK - maybe the FI helped a bunch of people to figure out that doing a startup is not as wonderful of a world as they imagined it to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For more discussion on this topic, I recommend the Quora article </span><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.quora.com/Founder-Institute/Does-booting-underperforming-participants-strengthen-or-weaken-the-Founder-Institute-program-graduates">Does booting "underperforming" participants strengthen or weaken the Founder Institute program graduates?</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After each session, the founders go into the nearby Nuthouse where beers and peanuts accompany more discussions with the mentors and amongst the founders. It was stressed very early on that founders are expected to show up here and indeed, t</span><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">his is where a lot of the important learnings took place!</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you know already that you will go home straight after class and not join socializing afterwards, FI is probably not the right program for you.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just as social proof, this is also a major take from Jennifer Seigal’s blog post about </span><a href="http://littlefishbigworld.com/2013/02/08/my-experience-at-founder-institute/"><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">her experience going through the Founder Institute</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some more take-aways and lessons learned from the program:</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Research</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Let somebody in your working group conduct a couple of customer interviews about YOUR startup idea. This is huge as they are not biased the same way you are.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Naming/Branding</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: This is a matter of taste but don’t pick a startup name that is totally misspelled because there was no domain available for the real thing. Also, do a phonetic test (pronounce the name of your company without top level domain to 10 people and ask them to open the website, check what happens).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pitching</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: record yourself with your smart phone or tablet as you stand and pitch. So easy to review your performance and double check your time management that way. Then share that with your group. I also use techtalks.tv to </span><a href="http://techtalks.tv/talks/beforewedo-3-min-pitch-at-founders-institute-and-mentor-feedback/57918/"><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sync video and slides</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Legal</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Start with this at least ONE MONTH before the legal counsel selection deadline. Go to Orrick’s, WSGR’s, Cooley’s and other law firms events (e.g. free startup lunch sessions), build relationships with lawyers way ahead of your FI/legal counsel deadline. You really want to pick a person as your legal counsel you get along well. Also, ask Wayne W. for his awesome corporate document structure.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Co-Founders/Hiring</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: I see video being a cool new thing to do in job posts. Just take a video in which you explain the position, the culture and what you are looking for. Really distinguishes yourself from all the other startups out there. I certainly will do this for my open founding team positions! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Product Development</span><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Do some reading on agile development (backlog, sprints, scrum meetings, etc.) and the lean startup (BML cycles, actionable metrics, etc.). That was not really covered in my chapter. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we have seen, the Founder Institute covers a wide array of topics that are important to go through as you create your startup company. It is probably ideal to start the program while still engaged in another job/gig and use the curriculum to make a decision whether you want to pursue it full time or not. If you already are full time into your startup, then you can see it as a part-time personal development program in which you can further build the network of mentorship. If you are worried about the costs of the program - I don’t think that should be an issue at all - I perceive the value I got out of the program to be many times exceeding the program fee. Also, consider that once you graduate your access to the network and the resources of the institute will be infinite!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And if you read until here and feel up for it to “do startup”, </span><a href="http://fi.co/join/graduate-Stefan_Broda"><span style="color: #1155cc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">go ahead and apply</span></a><span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Graduating Class and more FI experience blog posts</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Graduates from the 2012/2013 Silicon Valley Chapter of the Founder Institute. From left to right:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jennifer Seigal: <a href="http://www.flockspring.com/" target="_blank">FlockSpring</a> - <a href="http://littlefishbigworld.com/2013/02/08/my-experience-at-founder-institute/" target="_blank">blog post about FI</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Michelle Bonat</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, <a href="http://datasimply.com/" target="_blank">DataSimply</a> - <a href="http://datasimply.com/we-graduated-from-founder-institute/" target="_blank">blog post about FI</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Misha Chellam, <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/mishachellam" target="_blank">Director of FI's Silicon Valley Chapter</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pedro Vieira: <a href="http://signup.maitaiz.com/" target="_blank">Maitaiz</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Tony Clemendor</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">: <a href="http://signup.home-huddle.com/" target="_blank">HomeHuddle</a></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nick James</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">: <a href="http://dailysteak.launchrock.com/" target="_blank">DailySteak</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Javier Vega: <a href="http://www.cosmmo.cl/" target="_blank">Cosmmo</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kiran Bulusu: <a href="http://www.sensoryhealthsystems.com/" target="_blank">Sensory Health Systems</a> - <a href="http://www.srikiran.net/kbblog/?p=115&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+asicdude+%28Kiran+Bulusu+Blog+on+Semiconductor%2FEDA%2FHealth+Care%2FWireless+Sensors%2FSystem+Design%2FEnergy+Mgmt++domain%29" target="_blank">blog post about FI</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adeo Ressi: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/adeoressi" target="_blank">Founder of FI</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Jay Connolly: </span><a href="http://www.lifthero.com/" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">LiftHero</a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> -</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> <a href="http://blog.lifthero.com/tagged/Founder-Institute" target="_blank">blog post about FI</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/104430797195646190521?rel=author">Stefan Broda</a> (me, the tall one): <a href="http://www.beforewedo.com/" target="_blank">BeforeWeDo</a></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> - <a href="http://blog.beforewedo.com/2013/03/should-i-join-founder-institute-my.html" target="_blank">blog post about FI</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mike Galarza: <a href="https://www.entryless.com/" target="_blank">Entryless</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Colin Gu: <a href="http://www.whalepath.com/" target="_blank">WhalePath</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bruno Rocca: <a href="http://www.wellnessmutual.com/" target="_blank">WellnessMutual</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Artem Gassam: <a href="http://www.whalepath.com/" target="_blank">WhalePath</a></span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> -</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> <a href="http://blog.whalepath.com/2013/02/founder-institute-experience.html" target="_blank">blog post about FI</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baker Humadi: <a href="http://www.excitem.com/" target="_blank">ExciteM</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Akira </span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Muramatsu:</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> <a href="http://www.connectinglink.com/" target="_blank">ConnectingLink</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Not on photo</i>: Belal Humadi - </span><a href="http://www.excitem.com/" style="white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">ExciteM</a></span></li>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-52045942844125278012013-03-14T19:08:00.000-07:002013-05-13T20:57:53.293-07:00A Fresh Look at the Spread of STDs: How About.Com's STD Writer, Elizabeth Boskey,Ph.D Views the Current State of Online Sexual Health<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69Wsk4399fw/UUngNXWRVNI/AAAAAAAAAFw/HpEeBR74s30/s1600/Elizabeth_AboutSTD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69Wsk4399fw/UUngNXWRVNI/AAAAAAAAAFw/HpEeBR74s30/s320/Elizabeth_AboutSTD.jpg" width="256" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://std.about.com/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">About.</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">com's </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guide to Sexually Transmitted Diseases</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><a href="http://std.about.com/bio/Elizabeth-Boskey-Ph-D-25525.htm"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elizabeth Boskey, Ph.D</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> first started working in sexual health as peer health educator with the AIDS Education Group at her college, where she loved not just writing about HIV and performing sketches but talking to her fellow students about safe sex. She is now a researcher, and a Health Educator with over 20 years of experience, who recently had a lengthy, and honestly entertaining, conversation with</span><a href="http://www.beforewedo.com/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BeforeWeDo.com </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> about the current state of online sexual health. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let me just say, she kept it real. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What trends have you noticed in STI/STDs and getting tested from working in the field of Sexual Health?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People have been uncomfortable talking about STI/STDs for a long time, and it isn't getting better. Since I left high school, it seems like there's been a trend towards less education in sexuality, rather than more. People seem less invested in playing “safe”. Maybe it's just that I'm working with different populations now, but they also seem to be less informed about even the most basic aspects of reproduction and disease transmission. It makes me wish we had solid, national sex education standards in our schools. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However, the world has also changed in the years since I left high school. When I was coming of age, a driving factor in getting tested and staying protected was the fear of HIV, but today HIV is much less frightening. HIV is now understood to be treatable, if you have the money and resources to pay for treatment. It's no longer seen as a death sentence. HIV as a chronic illness just isn't something people worry about the way they did before the age of combination antiretroviral therapy. ” While losing that fear has helped to deal with the stigma of HIV positivity, it has also cost a lot of people their motivation to protect themselves. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are also social structures in place that make testing difficult for some of the groups who need it most. For example, a student at Boston University, where I am currently teaching, recently told me that there is no access to STI/STD testing on campus. Student health will happily provide a list of off-campus testing sites, but it isn't part of the student health plan.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well, which STI/STD would you say most are concerned about now? </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From a practical perspective, my biggest concern is antibiotic resistant gonorrhea. I think there's a real change that this formerly treatable disease will become untreatable in my lifetime. If it does, it's suddenly going to become a very big deal. From a social perspective, however, I'm most worried about genital herpes. It's so stigmatized that people become devastated by it to an extent that is completely disproportionate to the, usually pretty mild, symptoms. People talk about suicide, or their life being over, and that's so not necessary.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, herpes is widely misunderstood by not just everyday people but doctors. People don't realize how common it is, and how large a fraction of the population has no idea that they're infected – because it often doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. There's a widespread </span><a href="http://std.about.com/od/Sex-Myths/qt/Sex-Myth-Genital-Herpes-Transmission-Herpes-Symptoms.htm"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: navy; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">myth that you can only give someone gential herpes</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> when you have symptoms. It's not true, even though many doctors believe it. This leads to lots of blame where someone who has just been diagnosed assumes their partner lied to them about risk... when the truth is that their partner might have had no idea they were infected. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Additionally, and this is a big one, most people have no idea that</span><a href="http://std.about.com/od/herpes/f/hsv12trans.htm"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cold sores can spread to the genitals, causing genital herpes</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. People think oral sex is safe sex, and because we rarely talk about “cold sores” as “oral herpes”,it's rare that someone bothers to disclose that risk.. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The level of shame and fear around herpes is really disturbing, but I think that part of the reason that it's so stigmatized and so scary is that it feels unavoidable. It doesn't seem like there's anything to do to protect yourself and your partners. People </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have more of feeling of control and protection when their partner has HIV. You can easily, and completely, protect yourself from HIV. With herpes, it is far more difficult – although both condoms and suppressive therapy can be used to reduce transmission.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are some of the trends you see answering users STI/STD questions on About.com?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">II think the biggest trend that I see is that men tend to email me their questions, but women post more stories. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most of the questions I receive reflect the fact that there is still a lot of shame in contracting an STI/STD. Many people would rather reach out to someone online if they think it can help them avoid going to the doctor. Going to an STI/STD clinic is scary, particularly in a small town where you're worried about getting seen, and going to a doctor can be even worse if it's someone you've known for a while. There are all these worries about judgment. Contacting me online seems easier for them, even if a lot of the time all I can do is give them general information about diseases and tell them that they really need to visit a doctor – or find another way to get testing and treatment. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are you thoughts about In-Home STI/STD testing? </span></b></span><br />
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</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1l1LIXS1oaE/UUj4lJk8irI/AAAAAAAAAFg/r07lpVua9L8/s1600/Oraquick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1l1LIXS1oaE/UUj4lJk8irI/AAAAAAAAAFg/r07lpVua9L8/s320/Oraquick.jpg" width="249" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have somewhat mixed feelings about in-home testing. I think that, while the FDA approved in-home HIV test is a better option than not getting tested, it's far from perfect. One of my biggest worries is about potential problems with follow-up. If you get tested for HIV in a doctor's office or clinic, there is on-site counseling and a direct path to treatment. If you get tested at home, however, finding further help is on your shoulders. There's a hotline available through the company that makes the OraQuick test, but you have to be willing and ready to call it. </span><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My other big concern is that the only thing you can test for at home is HIV. It's not the only STI/STD out there, and it may not be most people's biggest concern. However, that said, if in home testing means that people get tested more frequently, I'm all for it. It's just not a magical solution for improving sexual health. It's also not necessarily the most affordable solution, but that's</span><a href="http://std.about.com/od/testingwhenandwhere/f/Should-I-Consider-A-Home-Test-For-Hiv.htm"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">another issue entirely </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What about STI/STD testing in a doctor’s office?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ideally, everyone would get tested by their doctor, and it wouldn't be that big a deal. Unfortunately, because doctors are just as uncomfortable talking about sex as their patients, it's not as easy as it could be. Doctors often fail to ask their patients if they want to be tested, and patients don't know that they should ask -- or </span></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">what to ask for. Furthermore, many doctors don't even know what tests are available, and if they do they sometimes only test the patients they perceive as "high-risk" when the truth is that everyone sexually active is at risk of STI/STDs. That's true even for people who are in a monogamous marriage, unless they were both tested before they got together.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will say that, for people in a big city, often the best place to get tested is your local LGBT health center. Clinics focusing on the queer community are generally non-judgmental and often have low-cost, easily-accessed testing services that aren't restricted to LGBT individuals. However, for someone who isn't part of the community, it's often a bit scary to consider walking through that door. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In your idea world, how would the culture of </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>STI/</b></span></span><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">STD testing be changed?</span></span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In an ideal world, we'd normalize testing. If the default was that everyone got tested on a regular basis, it would be less stigmatized. It wouldn't be such a big deal. However, that's a pretty big change. I'd settle for just convincing more MDs to discuss </span></span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">STI/</span></span><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">STD testing with ALL of their patients, to shift the burden of asking to someone who shouldn't find it quite as stressful. The fact that doctors often try to profile their patients' risk and target testing, without even talking to patients about their sexual health, just drives me crazy!</span></span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Any other final thoughts about sexual health?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One thing that I think we really need to work on as getting past the idea of condoms as something that you eventually "get past" in a relationship. Using a barrier for sexual activity says nothing about your level of intimacy, you don't suddenly become a closer couple because you've thrown away the latex. However, right now, condoms and other barriers are often seen as an intimacy test instead of things that are just a normal part of sex. That makes using them, or stopping using them, a lot more meaningful than it has to be. People can have insanely hot sex with condoms. They can even make sex better.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On that note, one thing that I wish we told couples is that different brands of condoms can feel quite different during sex. Finding condoms and lube you that work for you can make an enormous difference in how enjoyable your sex life is. So, experiment! Get a variety pack from a condom store online, and see which one is most enjoyable. Make latex part of your foreplay instead of an interruption. Don't see safe sex as a burden. See it as an opportunity to add spice and variety to your sex life and make things more interesting. </span></span></b></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-10834415567818703772013-02-14T16:03:00.000-08:002013-02-14T20:02:06.896-08:005 Need-to-Know Ways to Happily Hump on Valentine’s Day<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by Deborah Durham via <a href="http://www.blisstree.com/2012/02/09/sex-relationships/destress-valentines-day-dont-focus-on-sex-504/">Blisstree</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">by <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/113611425538852303059" target="_blank">+Alyssa Mompoint</a>: </span></span><b id="internal-source-marker_0.12742471741512418" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We all know It’s officially Valentine’s Day. </span></span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, Here are 5 Need-to-Know Ways to Happily Hump (or not) on Valentine’s Day: </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. SERENADE </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">your friends and lovers with some heart-lifting rather than heart-wrenching music. Skip the overplayed rap songs that will require you to get “</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sigxjrTWT40"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bands to make her dance</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” Forget the fist pumping electronica that leaves ringing in your ears, yes </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y6smkh6c-0"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Don’t you worry child”</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Eliminate love songs that make you want to yank that friggin’ arrow from sweet ole’ cupid’s chubby hand. Stop the pop that will really push you over the edge and make you truly say we are </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA4iX5D9Z64"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Never ever ever getting back together”.</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> No, this time around try some good old fashion soul music. Repeat after me, </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v5vrfPcavc"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You’re a Bad Mamma Jama”</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Now, aren’t you feelin’ good already? Just make sure to sing that soul with soul. Please.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. TUNE </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">into </span><a href="http://www.lifestyles.com/valentines-day/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“He Said.. She Said” Lifestyle Condom</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Factoids. You may be surprised at what you’ll learn. And I’ll give you a hint, put those overpriced chocolates back on the shelf. You’ll thank me later when you realize how many extra calories you’ll be saving and how much more you can be burning. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. GRAB </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a pillow and go have fun with feathers at the Seventh Annual </span><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Seventh-Annual-Valentine-s-Day-Pillow-Fight-3331568.php"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SF Valentine’s Day Pillow Fight</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It’s the new and improved form of foreplay and a legit excuse to act like a kid again. Think about it. The adrenaline rush you’ll get from throwin’ around will be a sure way to get you in the mood to be thrown around. What are you waiting for? Hop to it!</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. BE</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> socially responsible and use </span><a href="http://www.bcondoms.com/community/"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B Condoms</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with your lover for the night. Get this...part of each sale goes into funding prevention and educational efforts in at-risk communities. Since Whole Foods officially now supplies them, you can also do yourself a favor and pick up some fancy schmancy overpriced wine. Oh, see those mini cheesecakes pretentiously placed in the bakery section? Yeah, throw those in, too. Joining a social movement is the new loophole of justifiable self-indulgence. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LOVE </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">yourself first. According to the recent </span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats11/trends-2011.pdf"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2011 Report on STI Trends, the U.S Center for Disease Control</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> revealed that </span><a href="http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/13/16951432-ongoing-severe-epidemic-of-stds-in-us-report-finds"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">20 million new sexually transmitted infections are diagnosed costing a whopping $16 billion in taxpayers funds.</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most of these costs are caused by HIV treatments but the real complications</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are due to untreated chlamydia which can cost you a pretty penny. Let’s be real--an average 25-year-old probably doesn’t have the funds to pay for treatment. So, this Valentine’s Day, please show yourself some love by using a condom and getting tested. Munch on some sweetheart candies while you search for the nearest clinic and make an appointment.</span></span></b></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-56235891493635744912013-02-11T13:34:00.000-08:002013-04-01T15:23:26.731-07:00Are You One of These 6 Types of STD Testers?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.26739168097265065" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After Your Streak of Countless Nights Screwing Around (pun intended). Let's just hope you aren't on one of the <a href="http://www.hackcollege.com/blog/2012/12/11/trojans-best-and-worst-campuses-for-sexual-health.html">Worst College Campuses for Sexual Health</a>. Ok, What Type of STD Test Taker Are You...Really?</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a). The Goodie Two-Shoes: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your fear of doing anything “wrong” or “immoral” forces you to set an IPhone calendar reminder, red flag it on your Microsoft Outlook calendar, or scribble it on a post-it note to regularly schedule an STD Test. After you leave your appointment, you tend to have a little pep in your step,your nose is slightly turn up, and your smugness is almost tangible. Because you’ve always viewed yourself as morally superior to others, you berate others for not getting tested instead of encouraging them by giving them the name, number, and location of your go-to clinic. Forget offering to go with them next time, as long as you’re clean, that’s their problem. (You’ve only had sex once and that was 3 years ago).</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">b). The Hypochondriac: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your obsessive compulsive behavior like tendencies leave you no choice but to make a doctor’s appointment every other week to get tested. (It’s possible you could’ve had a false negative test result). More if you happen to frequent the bathroom more that week, start sneezing, or if that papercut takes a little too long to heal. It doesn’t matter if your sexual partner kisses you, unzips your pants, or even hugs you for a second too long, there’s a chance you could have contracted an STD. In the rare occasion that you engage in casual sex, you have a 3 feet pole between you and your partner until they have strapped on a condom. STDs could be airborne. Better safe than sorry. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">c). The Skeeze: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You pride yourself on being able to sleep with whomever, whenever, wherever (you may want to wipe that smirk off your face) without ever thinking to use a condom. Pssh.. asking my booty call about the last time they got tested? Get outta here. The funny thing is, you have the audacity to get mad if anyone dare ask you to use protection let alone ask if you’ve been tested. You have slept with so many people unprotected that you basically have lost count. <a href="http://www.lehmiller.com/blog/2013/3/4/how-do-you-define-cheating.html">In fact, you're one of the few that disagree with interpersonal sexual behavior study where 457 heterosexual college students were polled about what constitutes cheating. 83% agree texting erotic messages and 97% agree oral sex is defined as cheating.</a> Cheating doesn't have a definition in your book. You may be on the verge of being a walking STD, the truth hurts doesn’t it? </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yet, you have never gotten tested. Ever. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You can go miles in the bedroom, but a trip to the clinic remains uncharted territory</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t be fooled. What goes around, will come around. Literally. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">d). The Narcissist: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’re a pleasure seeking drug addict that is always looking for your next sex high. You live for the euphoric feeling that an orgasm gives you and you’ll basically do anything to experience it. You don’t care about anyone’s health but your own and even though you may have tested positive for an STD and are in the midst of getting treated your druggie like habit will drive you to get your “pleasure fix” for the night. (Who cares if I don't have a condom, I'm tryna get it in.) As long as your “area” ain’t itching or burning anymore, you don’t think it’s your responsibility to mention to your partner that “hey, I’m being treated for the clap”. Of course, you would have the nerve to ask your partner to stay arms length away if you even suspected they had something.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">e). The Dumbass: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You have a tendency to believe anything and everything your sexual partner tells you. “It’s rare to get an STD”. Oh ok. “So, anal sex is the only way you can get an STD?” Yeah, you are probably right. “You don’t think we should get tested after we’ve have unprotected sex for the 5th time?” Great, saves me a trip. Basically, you also don’t think you should ever ask your partner about being tested let alone using a condom because you figured, Hey, they haven’t given me a reason to and I feel just fine. (Never mind, you’ve had burning sensation “down there” for the past 2 weeks, no worries,it’ll probably go away on its own).</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">f). The Team Playa*: </span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While you have had more than your fair share of sexual escapades, you have enough self-preservation to use a condom and get regularly tested. You’ve sucked it up on more than one occasion and asked your lover if they’ve been tested and even suggested you take that trip to the clinic together. It is an absolute must with those who are looking kinda suspect. After all, if I don’t take some responsibility, why should my hook-up? Whether it be through innuendos, metaphors, or straight up gossip, you are comfortable talking to your friends about when and if you should be tested for an STD. You’ve mastered the art of turning the convo about STD signs and symptoms into quite an entertaining one. “Do me a favor will ya and pour me another glass of wine.” It almost always leads to exchanging sexual ploys and need-to-know deets. Your team player mentality makes you a damn good lover and a clean one at that. Bottoms up!</span></b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Image by <a href="http://www.visualaids.org/">Visual AIDS</a> via <a href="http://visualaids.blogspot.com/search/label/Sean%20Strub">"Sean Strub..Thinking about Testing on National Test Day"</a></span></td></tr>
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<b id="internal-source-marker_0.26739168097265065" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.26739168097265065" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.26739168097265065" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">*Being a “Team Playa” will minimize your risk of contracting or spreading an STD and may even afford you more sexual suitors. So might I suggest that if you haven’t already,to start acting like one. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deborah-arrindell/std-awareness-month_b_2993138.html">Don't put your sexual health in jeopardy</a>.*</span></b></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-31865564139695801202013-02-04T15:19:00.000-08:002013-05-13T20:56:42.312-07:00My Sex Spree in San Francisco: Why I Signed Up<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.women2.com/wp-content/uploads/04_SF+Dating+Scene_coffe_meets_bagel.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.women2.com/wp-content/uploads/04_SF+Dating+Scene_coffe_meets_bagel.png" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image by <a href="https://coffeemeetsbagel.com/">Coffee Meets Bagel</a><br />
{<a href="http://www.women2.com/coffee-meets-bagel-debunking-dating-myths-in-san-francisco/">Coffee Meets Bagel: Debunking 3 Dating Myths in San Francisco</a>}</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.6341581151355058" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/107205299972599115292" target="_blank">+Alyssa Mompoint</a>: </span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let's be honest, San Francisco is one of the few cities populated with the greatest amount of sexually free singles. In any given night and in any given neighborhood a 26-year-old single girl (yes, I’m talking about myself) can actually have the option and dare I say even the right to ask herself the following before going out: “Hmm, which type of single beaut tonight am I in the mood to hear bullsh**t lines from, smile and uncontrollably bat my eyelashes at, give my doe eyes to, engage in witty banter with, accept a tasty drink from which is almost always followed up by the unspoken obligatory small talk, and who most likely not only has the balls to ask for my number but has the common decency to take me out on a real date?” </span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lastly but certainly not the least, “Who has the greatest potential of giving me the best night of sexual pleasure of my life?” </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s see, considering half the males are single in SF, do I want to try to have sex with:</span></b></span><br />
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.6341581151355058" style="font-weight: normal;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The skinny jeans, cool tee, beanie wearing quintessential hipster. (You may have to be ready to step up your artsy side but faking it should suffice).</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sharp suited, smooth talkin’ yuppie. (Warning: He may turn out to be an arrogant ***hole). </span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The laid back, newly minted tech millionaire. (This may guarantee a night of being intellectually stimulated first). </span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sexy foreigner who swoons you with their accent which undoubtably gives off a sexual energy.</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The polo shirt buying, khaki pant struttin’ marina dweller. (Beware, there is a slight chance they may use their money to compensate for their lack of personality).</span></li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All of the above. (Hey, its San Francisco, most are up for anything). </span></li>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.6341581151355058" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On this particular night, I had two girlfriends visiting from Los Angeles,who let’s just say, have made a commitment to pimp each other out when necessary. Please Note: I was determined to have a new and exciting sexual escapade story to regale my friends with. Thanks to my friends that night, I snagged a blond haired blue eyed, pony bun wearing Swede who offered me a cigarette on the street corner. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the next 3 months, I got roped into the most wild, inappropriate, dramatic, sexual experience of my life with whom I came to nickname “Pony Bun.” I’ll put it to you this way, I had never had a man ask me so many times to have a threesome (Um, not my style). Ask the nteenth time about what my fantasies and what type of porn is my favorite. Attempt to have anal sex with me without my permission. (Um, where are your manners?). Suggest we watch his roommate and her booty call get in on while we have sex (I’m sorry but this is not a synchronized event). Smother me with raspberry flavored lubricant and then proceed to stick his finger in...well....just make an educated guess. He also attempted to seduce me in a closet, requested we try having sex outside on a hedge, and admitted he watched tranny porn. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Did I mention that I secretly indulged in the drama and enjoyed his blatant freakiness? </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As many times as we had sex, I could not muster up the nerve to ask him to use a condom. </span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I never asked him when's the last time, if ever he even got tested. Why? Gee...because it’s awkward as hell. C’mon,what was I supposed to say and when was I supposed to ask it? Right before he busted out the lube and right after he bit my ass (I guess it’s a new form of foreplay). I did not want to be offensive and more importantly I did not want to jeopardize one of the most sexually freeing nights of my life. Sorry.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also have a confession. At that point, I had not been tested in 2 years. I had a habit of not using a condom.I was on a streak of engaging in casual sex. I know all the signs, symptoms of most STI/STDs and I of course know all the ways to practice safe sex. Yet, I did not protect myself. I was too friggin’ lazy to make a doctor’s appointment but ironically not too lazy to flee my apartment in the wee hours of the night for pony bun lovin'. I knew I was putting myself at risk but frankly I just wanted to believe I was immune. I blame it on the sex haze. </span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One week after yet another freaky night...I started having symptoms-I’ll do you a favor and spare you the explicit details. I finally got tested which I am not going to lie, was only because I was due for my annual pap smear. Got my results. Turned up positive for <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/bv/STDFact-Bacterial-Vaginosis.htm" target="_blank">bacterial vaginosis</a> which is a condition a woman can get by having unprotected sex.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whoops.</span><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10 days of antibiotics later, I thought maybe it’s time to be more responsible and stop being a walking contradiction. (I think I forgot to tell you I have a Masters in Public Health a.k.a I should know better)<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></b></span><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Side note: When the pharmacist says don’t drink any alcohol on your antibiotic, it really means DO NOT drink any alcohol. Yes, one sip counts. It ain’t on the label for nothing. Trust me. </span></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Needless to say, I learned my lesson.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Here are my Top </b><b style="font-size: x-large;">6 </b><b>Tips on How to Enjoy a San Franciscan Man, STI/STD worry free: </b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1.</b> <b>Grab a Friend and Get Tested. </b>Identify at least one friend who you can open up to if you notice any changes "down there". Chances are, she has had a similar experience and at least you'll get validation that your symptoms aren't normal. The team effort won't make you feel so alone and the trip to the clinic will allow for more gossip time, don't you think?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>2. Kill Two Birds with One Stone. </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">We all have to go get an annual pap smear, right? Make it a habit to always get tested in the same check up! Be sure to ask your Ob-gyn to get tested for All STI/STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, HPV, and HIV) Since you are already there, what's another few minutes, eh?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>3. Start being honest with yourself. </b>Take a minute and figure out why you haven't gotten tested or why you don't always use protection. Is it sheer laziness? Are you afraid of ruining the moment? Do you not have health insurance or know where the nearest clinic is? Is it simply because a using condom doesn't feel as good? The sooner you figure out what is preventing you from keeping track of your sexual health, the better. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>4. Just ask</b>. You can be forward and just straight up ask "When's the last time you got tested?" or go the more sly route and work it into the conversation early on. For example, I purposely </span></span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.5671668569557369"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">told one of my dates about a sexual health startup. Why? To</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #444444; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> gain a sense of how serious he takes STI/STD testing, if he's comfortable talking about it, or if he even knows squat about it. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tip: Beware of body language, keep it lighthearted, and if you don't get an answer do yourself a favor and don't have sex until you do. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>5. Take Responsibility. </b>Ok, so you got caught up in the moment, didn't use a condom, and now you may feel guilty about it. Take responsibility for your actions, admit you were careless, and please ask him to use a condom next time. Think of it this way. The safer you are, the more sexually free you can be. Wouldn't you say?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>6. Use a Condom. Period.</b></span></span></div>
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Want to share your personal advice on how to engage in casual sex, STI/STD worry free? Please, go ahead. I beg of you.</span><br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62144450531685669.post-15646713802001206212013-02-04T11:18:00.001-08:002013-05-01T18:13:58.347-07:00Folsom Street Fair, HIV Testing, and the Founding of BeforeWeDo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/104430797195646190521" target="_blank">+Stefan Broda</a> </div>
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<span id="internal-source-marker_0.2636112973559648"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>1. “Volunteer with us at the Mr. Friendly at the Folsom Street Fair!”</b></span><br /><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I came to San Francisco from Germany by way of China to immerse myself in the world's most advanced startup culture. And after exploring its meetups, conferences and hackathons, I also found the city to have the most sexually progressive community I've ever seen. I was intrigued by Gay Pride, the Castro and the overall tolerance towards all sexual orientations. </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I see myself as homophile (opposite of homophobe), and far from being a prude, yet I never expected to find myself shirtless in leather talking about sexual health at the Folsom Street Fair. But a friend said, “Volunteer with us at the Mr. Friendly booth” and I did.</span></span><br />
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<img height="233px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/UYo3czZDPOqqGB3qGKxS676fhW1YhA9RkKdBrbqRzoQMDEurhMEHG0zPqCTogACEyYBW149kHYvJNLjMMi49ExI6Bxw1_kR5zvahs9A1g4-Zx2PP3B6KmX4x" width="614px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
<br /><i><a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">CC</a>: Folsom Street Fair 2012 by </i></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/gazeronly/"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>torbakhopper</i></span></a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ever since I’ve been sexually active, my fear of HIV regularly drove me to the </span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gesundheitsamt</span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=freiburg,+germany&hl=en&tbo=d&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS504US504&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=0-sPUeP0KeeujAL8noGQBg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAA&biw=1293&bih=806" target="_blank">Freiburg, Germany</a>. Sometimes with a partner before going all the way and sometimes alone after I quite literally screwed up. Living in China, I experienced testing taken to the next level. There, full medical screenings - including sexually transmitted diseases (STD) - are required for all foreigners desiring student or employment visas. On the one hand, this practice is discussed with much controversy - see for example <a href="http://www.rjkoehler.com/2010/10/27/hiv-test-exempted-for-entertainment-visas-but-not-english-teachers/" target="_blank">this discussion on Robert Koehler's blog</a>. But on the other hand, it made the sexual health conversation a whole lot easier when you could just ask for the type and the issuing date of the visa rather than ask for STD status directly ;-). Compared to China, San Francisco’s culture is a lot more sexually progressive, yet when I started dating here, I found the sexual health discussion with a partner to be a lot more uncomfortable. </span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. The Sexual Health Problem</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So back to the Folsom Street Fair - which after all is the world's largest leather and fetish street festival and actually the third largest one-day festival in California (</span><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carly Schwartz</span></span><span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> put together some intriguing photos <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/24/folsom-street-fair-2012_n_1908382.html#slide=1559533" target="_blank">on this blog post</a> - so you can get an idea)! As I was standing at the Mr. Friendly HIV Awareness Campaign booth and talking with folks about STDs, I started to wonder about the magnitude of the sexual health problem. And when I later that day went home to research statistics about sexual health in the US, I was appalled to discover that there are still over </span></span></span><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats10/trends.htm" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">19 Million new </span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">STD infections</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> every year in this country alone (see a more <a href="http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/13/cdc-20-million-new-sexually-transmitted-infections-yearly/" target="_blank">detailed write up by William Hudson</a>.)! - It is still a huge problem! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So I was thinking... San Francisco: the world capital of innovative startups and probably the world's most sexually progressive community - there MUST be an app for this. Managing your health with apps has already become quite the trend. There are over 7,500 different mobile health apps for the Apple IPhone alone, that range from managing medications for chronic diseases, to tracking your exercise regime, to monitoring your eating habits. I did a search for “STD” on Google Play and this is what I found:</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="305px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4FE7sL_wY29jKxzxqVauYb38Y9fz3AFaZQIRITQLnPuF1Pf6KXkNKH-sX9f2NCTAZQ6xKjfmeCLva6ETd5IQfBOaO7Vai4r5EqU3aWa7T0GtzlRq0_tuJaBY" width="626px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Screenshot of Google Play, </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/search?q=STD" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">searching for “STD” </span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">on Feb 1, 2013. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />… Apps about Indian Area Codes??!!! I decided that I knew what I wanted my next Startup to be about.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><b>3. Starting up BeforeWeDo</b><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I went to the Founders Institute Incubator and Startup Leadership Program and created BeforeWeDo. I see a huge potential to combine social web, mobile apps and new STD testing technology to bring sexual health to the 21st century. </span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want to empower sexually active singles to </span><b><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">understand</span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and</span><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> manage</span></b><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> their sexual health and make it <b>incredibly convenient</b> and <b>easy</b> for them to get tested regularly. </span><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Based on the user’s personal demographics and sexual activity, BeforeWeDo recommends personalized STD vaccinations and screenings. The service is anonymous and recommendations are provided without judgment or bias. Users can then schedule testing appointments or, even easier and more private, can have FDA approved in-home test kits delivered regularly to their door.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BeforeWeDo brings clarity, convenience and peace of mind to its users - and ultimately makes regular STD testing a new standard for sexually active men, women and everyone else in between. </span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://alpha.beforewedo.com/">Join us</a> and let us bring sexual health to the 21st century!</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Credits: </b></span></span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kudos to </span><a href="http://plus.google.com/107205299972599115292"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">+Alyssa</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/118130449741245410759" target="_blank">+Monisha</a>, <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/112873815656583490542" target="_blank">+Randy</a> and <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/108781843830421337323" target="_blank">+Erny</a> for their thoughts and help with editing this article (my first language is German after all ;-).</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks a lot to the folks at <a href="http://www.fi.co/" target="_blank">Founders Institute</a> and the <a href="http://www.startupleadership.com/" target="_blank">Startup Leadership Program</a> for their great support and mentorship! Stay tuned for more articles about these programs from me!</span></span></span></li>
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