Everyone on the train couldn’t help but look up and wonder, perhaps sympathize, about the unfortunate stroke of luck that befell on Anonymous’ friend, and Pappy “two.” At first it would seem that Fish were to blame but the bottom line was that everyone connected to the misfortune was, in one way or another, fish fucked. There were many open questions and many unstated facts regarding the situation. The one prevailing fact was that this story actually consisted of zero fishermen, and their unwanted catch. We have all played the role of both fisherman and prey at one point or another in our larger then life pond. The real risk is not in the act of catch-and-release per se but in our overall knowledge of the sport, how often we choose to cast our nets and the amount of risk we take when we find a specimen worthy of our attentions.
Fish is fish, but not all are safe to toy with in a haphazard fashion. The proper precautions and gear is needed. It is a big and not-so-very-safe pond, protect yourself, and protect others; wear a condom; don’t get fish fucked.
On a serious note.
There’s a wealth of reasons why we fail to protect our selves in the context of sexual health. The many factors range from social/ psychosocial issues, cultural norms, feelings of inadequacy when communicating with sexual partners, institutional suspicion, fear of HIV testing, access to healthcare and most importantly an overall lack of skills and community education.
Simple steps towards good sexual health:
-If you are having any kind of sex: Get tested regularly (1 or 2 times a year)
-Always wear a latex or polyurethane condom for penetrative sex.
-Know both your and your partner’(s) status.
-Find service providers and testing sites in your area.
-Find out what your risks are and the steps you can take to reduce them.
-Lower your number of sexual partners.
-Learn about other STDs. (sexually transmitted diseases)
-Remember that sex and drugs often equal bad decisions.
-Educate yourself.
My bi-annual test day was November 9th. It was a quick, simple and pain free procedure. I was given the OraQuick Advance ™ test, which has a 99.98 percentile of accuracy. After a quick swabbing of my gums and a 30min wait, I was on my way home with a smile and the self-assurance of an informed individual.
Do you know? Find out. Get tested and stay healthy.
Yusef...thanks for saying everything above.
It's refreshing and enlightening to read these words from a young male. Many a time have I asked close friends "why do you feel the need to hit it raw?" and they emphatically respond "Because it feels better". I always respond condescendingly "will the sores or the people you hurt when your gone feel good?". I nowadays find myself refraining from sexual situations from fear of dying or getting sick. Being openly Bi-Sexual people tend to view me ,I think, as dirty or loathesome. Maybe not to my face, but more subliminally. So I'll be damned if I allow them to point a finger with some snide comment to follow. Hats off to you my friend, or perhaps in this situation the perverbial hat is on.
And my friend that is exactly WHY i am sexless... cuz I refuse to die of an std.
Good post. It makes me MAD when people say to me "I dont get tested for HIV cuz I'd rather not know"
..... ::blank stare::
some people are just not meant 2 have sex and reproduce. I wonder if stupidity could be sexually transmitted?