Wrap It Up (Unapologetic Soapbox Rant) - Page 4

Every December 1st, people pull out their quirky Product (RED) shirts and post things on Facebook about knowing one’s status and staying safe. A lot of statistics fly around (ranging from the accurate, to the slightly accurate and the “Girl, did you just make that up?”). It’s a lovely show of solidarity and jingoism for the millions of people across the globe who have been impacted by HIV/AIDS.

But at the end of the day, you and I both know that a lot of the most rah-rah people about this cause are STILL participating in high-risk sexual behavior and are tempting infection themselves, as they preach the gospel of “knowing”. In case you need any reminder, here are few reasons why you need to practice what you preach about safe sex on December 1st and beyond.

1) Think About How Your Life Will Change: Sounds like a simple enough concept: you have an extremely reliable barrier between yourself and HIV/AIDS and it will more than likely save you from the trouble of an unplanned pregnancy. And yet, many of us are wittingly choose to tempt all sorts of fate by opting for the “raw dog”, as if it is so much better than safe sex. Take a moment to imagine how your life would look if you had to take on the responsibility of a child, the expense of an abortion or, worse, the daily rigors of an HIV medication regimen. Don’t think about the scene, think about the movie. A few minutes or hours of “better sex” can’t possibly be worth a change in your life.

2) You Are Beholden To More Than Just Yourself: If you found yourself infected with HIV or preparing to deliver a child that you aren’t ready to have, this isn’t simply your own burden to carry. Your parents, siblings, friends, partner…all of these folks will be impacted. While a good network of loved ones will support you, it’s an unnecessary level of stress and pain for you all to endure considering that it can be AVOIDED by simply living responsibly.

4) That “I Don’t Like Condoms” Speech? You Weren’t The First To Hear It: Be it a boyfriend, a jump-off or even a one-night stand, the man who attempts to coerce you into having unprotected sex PROBABLY didn’t decide to go there simply because you seem so virtuous and pure. He. Has. Done. This. Before. And even if he hasn’t, don’t even let yourself get in the habit of going unsheathed with your lovers. If condoms are your norm, you won’t be sitting around mourning the “raw”. In fact, if you are finding that sex isn’t enjoyable for one or both of you, condoms probably are NOT to blame, unless one of you is allergic to latex or he’s perhaps too big or small for the size you have been using…there are more types of condoms than Baskin Robbins has flavors, so take the time to find the right ones!

5) One Moment Of Human Fallibility Can Alter Your Future: The loyal, perfect and loving dream man can slip up on vacation and bring you home something you’ll never lose…and vice versa. While an unplanned pregnancy can be awful, it comes with far more solutions than an unexpected HIV infection. Please don’t place your life and your livelihood in the hands of someone you are simply dating by allowing them to enter your body with no protection. Think of yourself first and think of your future.

Be vigilant, ladies. So long as the money is in the treatment and not the cure, HIV/AIDS is here to stay. If you aren’t trying to conceive a child or in a relationship in which you have committed to spend your life, then the time to put aside the rubbers has NOT come for you. Wrap it up.