
292 results found with an empty search
- Safer Sex Tools | The Sex Talk
SAFER Sex TOOLs What's The Right Choice For You? Take the quiz Wrap it before you tap it Condoms: Do's + Dont's SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE WAYS TO PRACTICE SAFER SEX Find More Safer Sex Resources Here Communication MSM Safer Sex Trans Safer Sex How to Choose A Lube STI Screening If you are sexually active, getting tested for STIs is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Make sure you have an open and honest conversation about your sexual history and STI testing with your doctor and ask whether you should be tested for STIs. If you are not comfortable talking with your regular health care provider about STIs, there are many clinics that provide confidential and free or low-cost testing. STI Screening Avoiding Injury When we talk about safe sex, we usually mean using protection with a respectful partner. But even if you’re comfortable with consent and contraception, lovemaking still entails some physical risks. Let’s admit it: Passion can quickly turn painful when accidents occur during sex. Even for the most connected couples, one wrong move can replace moans of ecstasy with screams of agony – and leave us sidelined from seduction for the foreseeable future. Trans Resources How to Choose A Lube PrEP Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is when people at very high risk for HIV take daily medicine to prevent HIV. PrEP can stop HIV from taking hold and spreading throughout your body. When taken daily, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV from sex or injection drug use. PrEP is much less effective when it is not taken consistently. Learn More HPV Vaccination HPV vaccination is preventing cancer-causing infections and precancers. HPV infections are so common that nearly all men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. Nearly 80 million Americans are currently infected with some type of HPV. About 14 million Americans, including teens, become infected each year. HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact. You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. Talk to your healthcare provider or visit one of the local clinics to learn more about the vaccination. clinics
- Home | The Sex Talk | Coos County Oregon
Is the place to get your questions answered about sex, pregnancy, STIs and whatever else comes up in Coos County, Oregon. The Sex Talk Is the place to get your questions answered about sex, pregnancy, STIs and whatever else comes up... Home Ready to make the leap? Maybe take a second to think things through.... LEARN MORE ABOUT SAFER SEX Consent is what needs to happen first. If you’re confused, this little video should make things clear. Now...Let's start the Safe Sex CONVERSATION Safe Sex LEARN MORE ABOUT STIS Did you know that you can get condoms mailed to you!? Click here What's the Risk? LOVE IS LOVE The word "ally" is a powerful one. It means someone who has your back and is on your side, because they know it's the right thing to do. In the LGBTQ movement, an "ally" describes someone who may not be LGBTQ themselves, but who are committed to equality and who speak out against discrimination. Be An Ally
- Discalimer and Privacy Policy | The Sex Talk
Disclaimer and Privacy Policy Disclaimer The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this website are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this website is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Coos Health and Wellness does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions or other information that may be mentioned on this website. Reliance on any information appearing on this website is solely at your own risk. Privacy Policy Privacy Policy Coos County Public Health built the The Sex Talk app as a Free app. This SERVICE is provided by Coos County Public Health at no cost and is intended for use as is. This page is used to inform visitors regarding our policies with the collection, use, and disclosure of Personal Information if anyone decided to use our Service. If you choose to use our Service, then you agree to the collection and use of information in relation to this policy. The Personal Information that we collect is used for providing and improving the Service. We will not use or share your information with anyone except as described in this Privacy Policy. The terms used in this Privacy Policy have the same meanings as in our Terms and Conditions, which is accessible at The Sex Talk unless otherwise defined in this Privacy Policy. Information Collection and Use For a better experience, while using our Service, we may require you to provide us with certain personally identifiable information, including but not limited to none. The information that we request will be retained by us and used as described in this privacy policy. The app does use third party services that may collect information used to identify you. Link to privacy policy of third party service providers used by the app Google Play Services Log Data We want to inform you that whenever you use our Service, in a case of an error in the app we collect data and information (through third party products) on your phone called Log Data. This Log Data may include information such as your device Internet Protocol (“IP”) address, device name, operating system version, the configuration of the app when utilizing our Service, the time and date of your use of the Service, and other statistics. Cookies Cookies are files with a small amount of data that are commonly used as anonymous unique identifiers. These are sent to your browser from the websites that you visit and are stored on your device's internal memory. This Service does not use these “cookies” explicitly. However, the app may use third party code and libraries that use “cookies” to collect information and improve their services. You have the option to either accept or refuse these cookies and know when a cookie is being sent to your device. If you choose to refuse our cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of this Service. Service Providers We may employ third-party companies and individuals due to the following reasons: To facilitate our Service; To provide the Service on our behalf; To perform Service-related services; or To assist us in analyzing how our Service is used. We want to inform users of this Service that these third parties have access to your Personal Information. The reason is to perform the tasks assigned to them on our behalf. However, they are obligated not to disclose or use the information for any other purpose. Security We value your trust in providing us your Personal Information, thus we are striving to use commercially acceptable means of protecting it. But remember that no method of transmission over the internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure and reliable, and we cannot guarantee its absolute security. Links to Other Sites This Service may contain links to other sites. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that site. Note that these external sites are not operated by us. Therefore, we strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of these websites. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services. Children’s Privacy These Services do not address anyone under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personally identifiable information from children under 13. In the case we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, we immediately delete this from our servers. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so that we will be able to do necessary actions. Changes to This Privacy Policy We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. Thus, you are advised to review this page periodically for any changes. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page. These changes are effective immediately after they are posted on this page. Contact Us If you have any questions or suggestions about our Privacy Policy, do not hesitate to contact us at thecoossextalk@gmail.com .
- Who Can I Talk To About My Sexual Orientation?, Figuring out your sexual orientation can feel confusing and lonely. But it doesn’t have to be., Lots of people assume that everyone around them is straight, or have old-fashioned ideas about what LGBTQ people are like. That can make you feel bad about yourself, especially if you’ve ever been bullied about it. But actually, you’re not alone at all, and it definitely doesn’t make you bad. It may not seem like it in high school, but being LGBTQ is pretty common — and it’s a huge source of pride and happiness for lots of people. Talking with someone you trust, someone who’s going through the same thing as you, or has gone through it in the past, can really help. Here are some ways you can find people to talk with. Going to a Gay/Straight Alliance meeting at your school Visiting your local LGBTQ community center Q Chat Space is a way for LGBTQ+ teens to connect with each other through live-chat group discussions — no matter where they are. Checking with your nearest health center for other resources in your area Checking out LGBTQ organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), The Trevor Project, and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Searching for online communities of LGBTQ people Thinking about this stuff can bring out a lot of feelings. If you’re having a really hard time, the Trevor Project has a 24/7 hotline where you can talk about what’s going on. 1-866-488-7386 Remember that deciding who to come out to and when is totally up to you. Figuring out your sexual orientation and coming out are both processes — they take time. Don’t rush yourself. , a751b8ed-7c61-4d80-a6be-e2689cbcc6a7
Who Can I Talk To About My Sexual Orientation? Lots of people assume that everyone around them is straight, or have old-fashioned ideas about what LGBTQ people are like. That can make you feel bad about yourself, especially if you’ve ever been bullied about it. But actually, you’re not alone at all, and it definitely doesn’t make you bad. It may not seem like it in high school, but being LGBTQ is pretty common — and it’s a huge source of pride and happiness for lots of people. Talking with someone you trust, someone who’s going through the same thing as you, or has gone through it in the past, can really help. Here are some ways you can find people to talk with. Going to a Gay/Straight Alliance meeting at your school Visiting your local LGBTQ community center Q Chat Space is a way for LGBTQ+ teens to connect with each other through live-chat group discussions — no matter where they are. Checking with your nearest health center for other resources in your area Checking out LGBTQ organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), The Trevor Project, and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Searching for online communities of LGBTQ people Thinking about this stuff can bring out a lot of feelings. If you’re having a really hard time, the Trevor Project has a 24/7 hotline where you can talk about what’s going on. 1-866-488-7386 Remember that deciding who to come out to and when is totally up to you. Figuring out your sexual orientation and coming out are both processes — they take time. Don’t rush yourself.
- Characteristics of Healthy Relationships
Characteristics of Healthy Relationships 50 Characteristics of Healthy Relationships If you can say yes to most of these, it's very likely you're in a healthy relationship: 1. You can name your partner’s best friend and identify a positive quality that the person has. 2. You and your partner are playful with each other. 3. You think your partner has good ideas. 4. You’d like to become more like your partner, at least in some ways. 5. Even when you disagree, you can acknowledge that your partner makes sensible points. 6. You think about each other when you’re not physically together. 7. You see your partner as trustworthy. 8. In relationship-relevant areas, such as warmth and attractiveness, you view your partner a little bit more positively than they view themselves or than most other people view them. 9. You enjoy the ways your partner has changed and grown since you met. 10. Your partner is enthusiastic when something goes right for you. 11. When you reunite at the end of the day, you say something positive before you say something negative. 12. You reminisce about positive experiences you've had together in the past. 13. You can name one of your partner’s favorite books. 14. You know your partner’s aspirations in life. 15. You can recall something you did together that was new and challenging for both of you. 16. You kiss every day. 17. You’re comfortable telling your partner about things that make you feel vulnerable, such as worries about getting laid off. 18. You have your own “love language” (pet names or special signs you give each other). 19. You know your partner’s most embarrassing moment from childhood. 20. You know your partner’s proudest moment from childhood. 21. You never, or very rarely, express contempt for your partner by rolling your eyes, swearing at them, or calling them crazy. 22. You can list some positive personality qualities which your partner inherited from their parents. 23. If you have children together, you can list some positive personality qualities your partner has passed on to your children. 24. You enjoy supporting your partner’s exploration of personal goals and dreams, even when this involves you staying home. article continues after advertisement 25. You have a sense of security: You’re confident your partner wouldn’t be unfaithful, or do something to jeopardize your combined financial security. 26. When you argue, you still have a sense that your partner cares about your feelings and opinions. 27. Your partner lets you into their inner emotional world—they make their thoughts and feelings accessible to you. 28. You frequently express appreciation for each other. 29. You frequently express admiration for each other. 30. You feel a sense of being teammates with your partner. 31. You know your partner’s favorite song. 32. You have a sense that your individual strengths complement each other. 33. When you say goodbye in the morning, it’s mindful and affectionate. 34. If you’ve told your partner about trauma you’ve experienced, they’ve reacted kindly. 35. You don’t flat-out refuse to talk about topics that are important to your partner. 36. You respect your partner’s other relationships with family or friends and view them as important. 37. You have fun together. 38. You see your partner’s flaws and weaknesses in specific rather than general ways. (For example, you get annoyed about them forgetting to pick up the towels, but you don’t generally see them as inconsiderate.) 39. You’re receptive to being influenced by your partner; you’ll try their suggestions. 40. You're physically affectionate with each other. article continues after advertisement 41. You enjoy spending time together. 42. You feel a zing when you think about how you first met. 43. You can name your partner's favorite relative. 44. You can name your partner's most beloved childhood pet. 45. You can articulate what your partner sees as the recipe for happiness. 46. When you feel stressed or upset, you turn toward your partner for comfort, rather than turning away from your partner and trying to deal with it yourself. 47. You have a sense that it's easy to get your partner's attention if you've got something important to say. 48. You like exploring your partner's body. 49. You can name your partner's favorite food. 50. If you could only take one person to a deserted island, you'd take your partner. THE SAFE PROJECT The SAFE Project provides emergency services and advocacy to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. *24-Hour Crisis Line *Emergency Shelter *Crisis Response Team *Assistance to clients who have been victims of domestic violence or sexual assault Call NOW
- Abstinence | The Sex Talk
abstinence Abstinence What’s Abstinence? How Effective Is Abstinence Abstinence is VERY effective at preventing pregnancy Talking With Your Partner It's important to communicate with your partner about how you feel about sex and abstinence Tribadism And Beyond Can lesbians get STIs? What Is Outercourse? Outercourse is a term that can be used to encompass a wide variety of sexual behaviors. Frottage Can you get an STI dry humping? Masturbation Masturbation is normal, and can be a healthy way to learn about your body. In fact, it’s the safest way to have sexual pleasure there is — there’s no risk of pregnancy or STIs.
- Sex Positivity: Educate, Empower, Self-Define!
Sex Positivity: Educate, Empower, Self-Define! Consent Consent is the expression of a mutual desire between parties to participate in a sexual activity. Sexual activity without consent is sexual violence. Period. Consent is fundamental in creating a sex-positive space. It is vitally important to respect other people’s consensual choices when it comes to their identity and body. Consent can be withdrawn at any time and it is given without coercion. Someone saying “yes” because they are too afraid to say “no” is not what consent looks like. Someone changing their mind about a sexual desire and then being forced to engage in it anyway is not what consent looks like. Consent isn’t always spoken, but it should never be assumed. The absence of a “no” is not a “yes!” Minors, people who are mentally incapacitated or unconscious, and people under the influence of drugs or alcohol are unable to give consent. Self-Defined Sexuality Sex positivity celebrates healthy sexual relationships, diversity within those relationships, bodily autonomy, and empowering individuals to control their own sex life (or lack thereof). You define what is right for you–there is no “right” way to engage in sex and express your sexuality as long as everything involves consent, empowerment, and respect. Breaking Down Gender Myths Gender roles are the behavioral expectations placed on people in relation to the gender binary. It’s important to remember that gender is a social construct, and if someone doesn’t fit into the societal expectations for what their gender (or lack of gender) looks and acts like, that is perfectly okay! Critically examining gender roles and participating in behaviors and expressions that make you happy is extremely sex-positive! It is important not to put other people in boxes when it comes to sexual expression, and everyone should be able to express their gender in a way that empowers them. Safe Sex Comprehensive Sex Education Empowering folks to take control of their sexuality starts by making sure they know how their bodies work and how to keep them safe. According to the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), comprehensive sex education is characterized by teaching age-appropriate, medically accurate information on topics such as sexuality, human development, decision-making, abstinence, contraception, and disease prevention. Comprehensive sex education provides students with factual information on abortion, masturbation, and sexual orientation, and they are encouraged to explore their own values, goals, and options. These curriculums also cover consent, healthy relationships, communication skills, and bodily autonomy. Sex-positive, comprehensive sex education does not intertwine sexual identities and choices with character and is supportive of students’ safe and informed exploration of gender and sexual expression. SIECUS defines the following curricula as not sex-positive: Abstinence-Based: Programs that emphasize the benefits of abstinence but also include information about sexual behavior other than intercourse and contraception and disease prevention. Abstinence-Only: Programs that emphasize abstinence from all sexual behaviors and don’t include information about contraception or disease prevention. Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage: Programs that emphasize abstinence from all sexual behaviors outside of marriage and often present marriage as the only morally correct context for sexual activity. If contraception or disease-prevention methods are discussed, failure rates are typically emphasized. Fear-Based: Abstinence-centered programs that are designed to control young people’s sexual behavior by instilling fear, shame, and guilt in them via negative messages about sexuality, distorted information about condoms and STIs, and biases about gender, sexual orientation, marriage, family structure, and pregnancy. Comprehensive sex education has been proven time and time again to lower rates of unprotected sex, unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). According to research conducted by the Journal of Adolescent Health, teens who receive comprehensive sex education are 50% less likely to experience pregnancy than those who receive other types of sex education. Despite tremendous evidence that comprehensive sex ed leads to a healthier youth population and abstinence-only programs are ineffective, the federal government has invested billions of dollars on abstinence-only programs over the past 20 years. Only 22 states require sex education in public schools, and only 19 of those require sex education to be medically accurate. President Obama has slashed the budget that supports abstinence-only sex education, but there is still a lot of work to be done at the state and local levels to ensure young people have access to comprehensive sex education. Condoms and Contraception Making condoms and contraception accessible is a critical aspect of empowering people to control their own sexuality. When used correctly, condoms–including condoms, dental dams, and insertive condoms–are very effective at preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, to prevent pregnancy it is critical that condom use be paired with other forms of contraception such as the pill, implant, ring, and IUD. It is common, especially among younger populations, for condoms to be used inconsistently and incorrectly, which contributes to failure rate between 12% and 18% for preventing pregnancy. It is important for all people to have access and knowledge of these resources. To learn more about condoms and contraception, check out plannedparenthood.org and bedsider.org. To push for better birth control access on campus, check out our Birth Control Access Campaign! Fighting Rape Culture “Rape culture” refers to a complex set of beliefs that create an environment in which sexual violence is prevalent and in which sexual assault and coercion are normalized. These beliefs are perpetuated through misogynistic language, objectification, and the glamorization of sexual violence and create a society that disregards rights and safety, blames victims of sexual assault, and normalizes sexual violence. Sex positivity fights rape culture by emphasizing consent, valuing bodily autonomy, and empowering young people to make informed decisions. These elements work together to deconstruct slut-shaming and victim-blaming–harmful elements of rape culture that permeate many elements of our society. Sex positivity also combats rape culture by ending the social cycle of guilt people might experience about sexual activity, examining harmful elements of hyper-masculinity, fostering safe spaces for survivors, encouraging people to view others as full humans with bodily autonomy, and deconstructing harmful power dynamics in relationships. Fostering Self-Love An important element of sex positivity is the practice of loving yourself holistically–physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Body positivity is about developing a healthy, loving relationship with your body, in all of its uniqueness and perfect imperfections. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (anad.org) found that 91% of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting and 58% felt pressure to be a certain weight. All people in our society are affected by the unrealistic and often unhealthy standards of western beauty, but young women are disproportionately affected. It is estimated that 95% of people suffering from an eating disorder are between the ages of 12 and 25, and 85% are young women. Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED) are caused by a combination of sociocultural, psychological, and biological factors; they do not discriminate by socioeconomic status. Marginalized groups are more vulnerable to eating disorders, but are less likely to be diagnosed and treated. No one should feel ashamed of their body, and our culture shouldn’t be pushing unrealistic beauty standards on women and girls. We should encourage women to define their value by finding what makes them feel strong, healthy, and empowered–not by what society says they should look like. Glossary Gender: The socially constructed idea of what “masculine” and “feminine” look, act, and feel like. Gender Binary: The social dichotomy that polarizes the masculine and feminine and allows for little in-between. Heteronormativity: The belief that people should fall in line with the assigned binary identities they’re assigned. LGBTQIA Spectrum: A range of sexual and gender identities including folks who identify as: Asexual: A person who does not feel sexual attraction toward any group of people. Bisexual: A person attracted to people who identify with varying genders. Lesbian: A woman who is primarily attracted to other women. Gay: A person who is attracted primarily to a person of the same gender. Genderqueer: A person who identifies outside of the gender binary. Intersex: A person whose anatomy or chromosomes at birth defy definitions of “female” and “male.” Pansexual: A person who is attracted to people regardless of their sex, gender, or gender identity. Queer: A reclaimed term sometimes used by members of the LGBT community to identify their sexuality or refer to that community. Transgender: A person who doesn’t identify with the gender they were assigned at birth or the gender binary. (Cisgender people do.) Monogamy: A relationship practice in which people partner with only one person at a time. Polyamory: A relationship practice in which people may partner with multiple people in varying ways. Privilege: A position of social or cultural power someone is born with (i.e. white privilege, heterosexual privilege) or otherwise obtains (i.e. education or wealth). Self-care: The act of taking steps to honor your physical, emotional, situational, or spiritual well-being. Sex: The socially constructed biological categories of “male” and “female” and the stuff in-between. Slut-Shaming: When people are made to feel bad, guilty or inferior for their actual or alleged sexual behavior. Victim-Blaming: When victims of crimes are made to feel responsible for what they’ve experienced. This occurs frequently in conversations about sexual assault, in which survivors are often asked “what they were wearing” or “why they chose to walk home alone” as if their behavior could have ever warranted sexual violence. WEBSITE
- STI Risk And Oral Sex | The Sex Talk
Sti risk and oral sex STI Risk And Oral Sex Many sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) can be spread through oral sex. Using a condom, dental dam or other barrier method each and every time you have oral sex can reduce the risk of giving or getting an STI. LEARN MORE
- Sexual Orientation | The Sex Talk
sexual orientation What Is Sexual Orientation? Lesbian. Gay. Bisexual. Queer. Questioning. Asexual. Straight. There are many labels that describe who you’re attracted to romantically and sexually. Maybe you’ve spent a lot of time thinking about your sexual orientation. Or maybe you haven’t given it much thought. Either way, sexual orientation is just one part of who you are. LEARN MORE Love Is Love Sometimes sexual orientation changes over time. And sometimes it stays the same throughout your life. But sexual orientation isn’t a choice, and can’t be changed by therapy, treatment, or pressure from family or friends. You also can’t “turn” a person gay. For example, a girl who plays with toys traditionally made for boys isn’t going to become a lesbian because of that. LEARN MORE Who Can I Talk To About My Sexual Orientation? Figuring out your sexual orientation can feel confusing and lonely. But it doesn’t have to be. LEARN MORE
- Coming Out, Coming out as LGBTQ can be exciting, overwhelming, and sometimes scary. It’s different for everyone, and you’re the only one who can decide when the time is right., What is “coming out”? “Coming out” is understanding your own sexual orientation or gender identity and then deciding to share it with some or all of the people in your life. Coming out is different for everyone and there are lots of ways to do it. Some LGBTQ people choose to come out only to themselves, and not to anyone else. Only you can know what’s best for your life right now. Learn more about coming out. Should I come out? Coming out is a decision that LGBTQ people have to face all the time, with every new person they meet. So it’s something you’ll probably do over and over again throughout your life. The way you approach and experience coming out might change, depending on where you are and who you’re with. Coming out is a very personal decision. You — and only you — get to decide if, when, and how you do it. Coming out can be a really important step, and people should only come out if and when they’re ready and feel safe doing so. It’s never ok to pressure someone into coming out or to out a LGBTQ person without their permission. You might want to start by talking with other people who are LGBTQ. Sometimes it’s also helpful to talk to adults you trust, like a counselor, social worker, teacher, or supportive family member, to help you decide when you want to come out, and who to come out to. For all people — and young people especially — gender and sexuality can change and evolve over time. It might take you a while to fully understand your own sexual orientation and gender identity, and these things can shift as you get older. Sharing a big part of who you are as a person during the time that you’re trying to figure it all out can be complicated. For a lot of people, coming out can be a great experience — especially if they have support from their friends, families, and communities. While it can make your relationships better and make you feel great, it can also feel scary depending on who you’re coming out to and what you think their reaction will be. And unfortunately in some places there’s a lot of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia — fear and hatred of people who are LGBTQ. If you think coming out might cause you harm — physical, emotional, or financial — you may decide to wait to come out until you have a plan to take care of yourself. , 77fb1cde-5fc8-4b64-ae98-67fa129de6a3
Coming Out What is “coming out”? “Coming out” is understanding your own sexual orientation or gender identity and then deciding to share it with some or all of the people in your life. Coming out is different for everyone and there are lots of ways to do it. Some LGBTQ people choose to come out only to themselves, and not to anyone else. Only you can know what’s best for your life right now. Learn more about coming out. Should I come out? Coming out is a decision that LGBTQ people have to face all the time, with every new person they meet. So it’s something you’ll probably do over and over again throughout your life. The way you approach and experience coming out might change, depending on where you are and who you’re with. Coming out is a very personal decision. You — and only you — get to decide if, when, and how you do it. Coming out can be a really important step, and people should only come out if and when they’re ready and feel safe doing so. It’s never ok to pressure someone into coming out or to out a LGBTQ person without their permission. You might want to start by talking with other people who are LGBTQ. Sometimes it’s also helpful to talk to adults you trust, like a counselor, social worker, teacher, or supportive family member, to help you decide when you want to come out, and who to come out to. For all people — and young people especially — gender and sexuality can change and evolve over time. It might take you a while to fully understand your own sexual orientation and gender identity, and these things can shift as you get older. Sharing a big part of who you are as a person during the time that you’re trying to figure it all out can be complicated. For a lot of people, coming out can be a great experience — especially if they have support from their friends, families, and communities. While it can make your relationships better and make you feel great, it can also feel scary depending on who you’re coming out to and what you think their reaction will be. And unfortunately in some places there’s a lot of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia — fear and hatred of people who are LGBTQ. If you think coming out might cause you harm — physical, emotional, or financial — you may decide to wait to come out until you have a plan to take care of yourself.
- Birth Control Online etc... | The Sex Talk
BIrth control Birth Control Resources Birth Control CDC Website Many elements need to be considered by women, men, or couples at any given point in their lifetimes when choosing the most appropriate contraceptive method. These elements include safety, effectiveness, availability (including accessibility and affordability), and acceptability. Voluntary informed choice of contraceptive methods is an essential guiding principle, and contraceptive counseling, when applicable, might be an important contributor to the successful use of contraceptive methods. Transportation Website Getting To A Clinic Birth Control PP Website Birth control is how you prevent pregnancy. There are lots of different birth control options out there. We’re here to help you figure it all out. Birth Control Bedsider Website The explorer is a place to learn about all your birth control options. We cover every available method, from the IUD (and others on our most effective list) to condoms, the pill, the patch, and more. Click on any method for more details. Want a more apples-to-apples way to compare? Cost Of Condoms and Birth Control Website They are A LOT Cheaper than having a baby... Power To Decide Website Having the power to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child increases young people’s opportunities to be healthy, to complete their education, and to pursue the future they want. The Pill Club Website $0 with most insurance (low prices without) and best of all, you can skip the drug store line. Get treated right with The Pill Club. One At Home Website This program allows Oregon residents to receive a free envelope of sexual wellness supplies delivered discreetly to their door, up to twice per 30 days. Pregnancy CHW Clinic Services More Info Pregnancy Testing CHW Oregon Mother's Care More Info Access to OHP CHW WIC Program More Info Nutrition program for mothers and children CHW Maternity Case Management More Info Home visiting program CHW The Lactation Club More Info Breastfeeding support and education DHS TANF More Info Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Bay Clinic More Info Prenatal Care Providers and OB-GYNs North Bend Medical Center More Info Prenatal Care Providers and OB-GYNs Bay Area Hospital MOMS Program More Info Birth, parenting and breastfeeding classes Pacific Pregnancy Clinic More Info Pregnancy continuation Safe Haven Maternity Home More Info Provides a safe home for pregnant women and mothers and their babies who are in crisis. Pregnancy Resources LGBTQ LGBTQ Resources Be An Ally And A Friend More info 10 Ways To Be An Ally And A Friend Coming Out More info Coming out as LGBTQ can be exciting, overwhelming, and sometimes scary. It’s different for everyone, and you’re the only one who can decide when the time is right. Love Is Love More info Sometimes sexual orientation changes over time. And sometimes it stays the same throughout your life. But sexual orientation isn’t a choice, and can’t be changed by therapy, treatment, or pressure from family or friends. You also can’t “turn” a person gay. For example, a girl who plays with toys traditionally made for boys isn’t going to become a lesbian because of that. PFLAG More info PFLAG has been saving lives, strengthening families, changing hearts, minds and laws since 1972. Our family and ally voice is integral to advancing equality. Safer Sex For Trans Bodies More info Resources for Transgender People Sex, Gender And Gender Identity More info There’s a lot more to being male, female, or any gender than the sex assigned at birth. Your biological or assigned sex does not always tell your complete story. Trans And Gender Nonconforming Identities More info Some people feel that the sex they were assigned at birth doesn’t match their gender identity, or the gender that they feel they are inside. These people are often called transgender. Trans Women's Safer Sex Guide More info Trans Women's Safer Sex Guide UNI-T Flier More info UNI-T Flier Vocabulary More info To help you make sense of the alphabet soup, and be as respectful and accurate as possible when using identifying language. What Is Sexual Orientation? More info Lesbian. Gay. Bisexual. Queer. Questioning. Asexual. Straight. There are many labels that describe who you’re attracted to romantically and sexually. Maybe you’ve spent a lot of time thinking about your sexual orientation. Or maybe you haven’t given it much thought. Either way, sexual orientation is just one part of who you are. Who Can I Talk To About My Sexual Orientation? More info Figuring out your sexual orientation can feel confusing and lonely. But it doesn’t have to be. common stiS Common STIs Resources Bacterial Vaginosis More Info Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition that happens when there is too much of certain bacteria in the vagina. This changes the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina. Chlamydia More Info Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be easily cured. If left untreated, chlamydia can make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant. Genital Herpes More Info Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that any sexually active person can get. Most people with the virus don’t have symptoms. Even without signs of the disease, herpes can still be spread to sex partners. Gonorrhea More Info Anyone who is sexually active can get gonorrhea. Gonorrhea can cause very serious complications when not treated, but can be cured with the right medication. HIV/AIDS More Info HIV is a virus spread through body fluids that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, often called T cells. Hepatitis A More Info Hepatitis A is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A can be prevented with a vaccine. People who get hepatitis A may feel sick for a few weeks to several months but usually recover completely and do not have lasting liver damage. In rare cases, hepatitis A can cause liver failure and even death; this is more common in older people and in people with other serious health issues, such as chronic liver disease. Hepatitis B More Info Hepatitis B can be a serious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis C More Info HCV infection is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States, with an estimated 2.7 million persons living with chronic infection. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) More Info Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Some health effects caused by HPV can be prevented by the HPV vaccines. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) More Info Untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious condition, in women. 1 in 8 women with a history of PID experience difficulties getting pregnant. You can prevent PID if you know how to protect yourself. Pubic Lice "Crabs" More Info Also called crab lice or “crabs,” pubic lice are parasitic insects found primarily in the pubic or genital area of humans. Pubic lice infestation is found worldwide and occurs in all races, ethnic groups, and levels of society. STI Treatment More Info If your sexual history and current signs and symptoms suggest that you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), laboratory tests can identify the cause and detect coinfections you might also have. Scabies More Info Scabies is an infestation of the skin by the human itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis). The microscopic scabies mite burrows into the upper layer of the skin where it lives and lays its eggs. Syphilis More Info Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can have very serious complications when left untreated, but it is simple to cure with the right treatment. Trichomoniasis More Info Most people who have trichomoniasis do not have any symptoms. Adoption Adoption National Pro Choice Adoption Collaborative More Info NPAC is Open Adoption & Family Services (OA&FS) and Friends in Adoption (FIA). We are very unique in that we are pro-choice, not religiously affiliated and do not discriminate. All Options Hotline More Info Boys And Girls Society Of Oregon More Info The most powerful support in the world is family. We're committed to ensuring every child grows up with a family of their own. Open Adopt More Info Only you can decide which choice is right for you. Whatever you decide, we’ll stand by you, offering our compassion, guidance and support. By exploring each pregnancy option thoroughly, you will gain clarity about what choice feels best to you. SUSAN C MOFFET, PC More Info Adoption & Family Formation Law ending a pregnancy Ending A Pregnancy Planned Parenthood More Info There are two ways of ending a pregnancy: in-clinic abortion and the abortion pill. Both are safe and very common. If you’re pregnant and thinking about abortion, you may have lots of questions. We’re here to help. Lilith Clinic More Info When no one else would, or could, give women choice, we did. And now, more than 40 years later, we continue to help women – and men – make the best possible choices for their futures. Northwest Abortion Access Fund More Info The Northwest Abortion Access Fund is an abortion fund serving Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. We help people pay for their abortion care by sending funding directly to the clinic. We also help people get to and from the clinic. And we make sure people traveling for care have a safe place to stay. Events Calendar
- Pregnancy Info | The Sex Talk
Pregnancy Info The Full Story What do I do If I am pregnant? Parenting Ending a Pregnancy Resources Resources Adoption Resources Resources I got someone pregnant, what do I do? There is a lot of advice out there for girls who find themselves facing an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy but there is very little information out there for guys. It takes two to make a baby but all too often when the pregnancy is announced the guy gets lost in the confusion. Teen fatherhood is not something to be taken lightly and along with responsibilities to the mother and the child; you have rights that you need to know about. Fathers Rights and Responsiblities How To Be Supportive Local Counseling Resources Local Legal Resources Bringing Up Baby: A Cost Analysis While being a parent can be rewarding and joyful job, it also comes with many challenges. One enormous challenge teen parents face is having enough money to afford raising a child. Provided below is a cost break down and where you can go if you would like to talk to someone about what parenthood really entails. Baby Expenses Local Resources Resources







