STI test at the Hassle Free Clinic

Today I got up early to go to the Hassle Free clinic to get tested for sexually transmitted infections. My partner asked me where I was going, so I told her. It shocked the hell out of me when she asked if she could come. She had never been tested either and thought it was a good idea.
Strangely, I didn't wonder if she NEEDED one. We've only been sleeping together for a few weeks...frankly only dating for a short time more than that.
I wondered if it would be awkward to get tested with a new lover. That seems to be backward thinking to me.
Regardless, we went together. The Hassle Free Clinic is right on the corner of Church and Gerard. I went to Ryerson for four years; I lived not two blocks from that clinic. I had no idea it existed. I had been to the copy place below the Hassle Free to buy boot legged photocopies of text books. Why didn't I know that clinic exited?

Lesbians and Safe Sex

I'm a lesbian, nice to meet you.

It's always awkward to put that out there and I wouldn't if it wasn't a large part of this experiment.

Let me explain from the beginning.

When I was asked if I wanted to help develop a magazine about sex I thought I should because my sexuality, my experience and my contacts would diversify the magazine. I didn't think about how deep I would have to delve into my own sexuality, until I started to do research this story.

I always hear about using condoms. Make sure you use a condom, make sure you don't get pregnant. I'm not going to get pregnant, so why bother with a condom?

I could get diseases, yes, but I won’t.

It was my fellow editor Veronica Blake who asked me why I didn't think I would be afflicted with an STI.

I said what a lot of people say. "I know who I'm sleeping with."

Veronica pushed and asked who my partners had slept with, did I know them? Did I know they were STI free?

I didn't.

Survey: Declining condom use in 20-34 year-old unmarried Canadians

Most studies on declining condom use focuses on youth aged 14 to 19

My current article is about declining condom use in 20-34 year-old single Canadians.

The framework of this article will focus on a survey published by SIECCAN (The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada) published in The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality.

As well, I want to hear from YOU, from real people. So if you could please take a few minutes to fill out the survey.

The survey is 100% anonymous.

Ontario strikes down prostitution laws

* Some names have been changed to protect privacy

By Vanessa Brown

As her colleagues surrounded her with tears and laughter, jumping up with explosive excitement, Ruby Jeffrey sat motionless, dazed with disbelief. Her state of shock reflects a decade of secrecy in the sex-trade industry, and being ignored by the Canadian legal system.

           

“As a sex worker, you’re not used to things going your way, or anyone listening to you ever,” Jeffrey said.

           

It is a week following the landmark ruling. Her level of shock is still palpable, but her emotions are starting to mirror those of her fellow sex workers. Jeffrey is talkative and energetic. She believes the current Criminal Code provisions effectively cover sex workers with a blanket of tension in their daily dealings with clients, from negotiating  services beforehand, to worrying that the flow of traffic outside their bawdy houses will rouse suspicion in their neighbours.

We're still under construction!

We should have our first stories posted next week!

Aileen looks at the do-it-yourself trends in sexuality.

Legalization of prostitution is on the menu with Vanessa's article.

Wondering whatever happened to Ontario's sex-ed curriculum? Veronica's got the story.

And lines are blurred with Vicki's piece on art versus porn.

So stay tuned!