Talk Openly / Take Control / Test Regularly

This is our mantra at Staunton Pride. Today we want to spend some time discussing what it means to take control of your sexual health. Being sexually healthy means being able to care for and enjoy a healthy body, a satisfying sexual life, and healthy relationships. It means embracing your sexuality and making your sexual life part of your overall wellness.

Here’s a sexual health checklist reminder. We’ll be delving into more detail in later posts, but these are 4 key steps that apply regardless of your age or where you are in your sexual life.

1. Value who you are and decide what you want.

Explore and clearly define your personal desires, values and boundaries.

2. Protect your body.

Learn about your body. Explore how to center pleasure and how to express yourself sexually. Be informed and practice safer sex to protect yourself and your partners from STIs and unplanned pregnancies. For local folx, the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center will deliver free external and internal condoms, lube, and dental dams to our community within a 15 mile radius of Staunton. Check out the link below for more info.

3. Choose your partners well.

You should feel safe and comfortable and your experiences should be rooted in mutual respect. Choose partners that you are able to communicate with openly and honestly.

4. And most importantly, get regular sexual health care.

Seriously. Make visiting a health care provider a priority and choose one that is affirming. Take control and inform yourself of the services and support that you need (do not just rely on your provider). ASK QUESTIONS. Get tested regularly.

If you live in Staunton within a 15 mile radius of the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, they'll deliver safer sex supplies. Just fill out the form below!