Sex Positive

A recent study from the University of Washington suggests that strides to prevent sexually transmitted diseases should start at an early age, before an individual is even sexually active. In short, the best way to educate a young adult is to think about the big picture, not just the sex part.

So, what exactly does that mean? You've really got to pull on your parenting pants, which sounds more like logic than science in our book. "Kids don't engage in risky behaviors in a vacuum. There are environmental opportunities that have to be created," said Marina Epstein, lead author of the study. With STDs being the most common type of infection in the U.S., prevention is key. A previous study concluded that young adults between 15 and 24 make up half of the new cases. Part of the problem is that many of them are not being educated until after they've already had risky sex.

Not only are unintended pregnancy rates higher for some servicewomen—now we’re learning that across the military, the STI rate among women is seven times than that of the general population.

In San Francisco and other cities across the US, possession of condoms, condom wrappers and conversations about safe sex are used as evidence against sex workers to justify arrest for prostitution and prostitution related charges.

The routine use of condoms as a tool to violate our basic human right to protect ourselves from HIV and sexually transmitted infections, as well as prevent unwanted pregnancies, is unjust and counter to sound public health.  The Human Rights Watch released a report chronicling this absurd practice in four cities:  New York, Washington DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles.