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

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

The birds and the baes

RESOURCES FOR LGBTQIA+ RESOURCES FOR LGBTQIA+ Q&A Coos County Events Calendar Vocabulary Coos Health Resources GLAAD Resources PFLAG Resources Trans Women's Safer Sex Guide more websites Find More Safer Sex Resources Here General Info General Info MSM Safer Sex Trans Safer Sex How to Choose A Lube

i am pregnant-what do i do? Parenting Is parenting the right option for me? Deciding whether to raise a child is a very important and very personal choice. Everyone’s situation is different, and only you know what’s best for you and your family. Learn More Resources Adoption Is adoption right for me? Some people choose adoption when faced with a pregnancy. Information and support is important, but the decision is personal and only you know what’s best for you. Learn More Resources Ending A Pregnancy 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. Learn More Resources

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where to get birth control Local Clinics and Providers Although the video is based in Planned Parenthood there are local clinics that can provide you with almost all of the same services with the same respect. Scroll down to find a clinic and way to get there. Local Clinics and Providers Although the video is based in Planned Parenthood there are local clinics that can provide you with almost all of the same services with the same respect. Scroll down to find a clinic and way to get there. Waterfall Community Health Center Confidential and affordable services available for anyone regardless of age, gender identity, or race. Services include: STI screening and treatment, contraceptives, and family planning for both men and women. Call or drop in to make an appointment. Patients are accepted with or without insurance. Waterfall Community Health Center Waterfall Community Health Center School Based Confidential and affordable services available for anyone regardless of age, gender identity, or race. Services include: STI screening and treatment, contraceptives, and family planning for both men and women. Call or drop in to make an appointment. Patients are accepted with or without insurance. Waterfall Community Health Center School Based Bay Clinic An appointment must be made with a provider. Most insurance providers are accepted. Services include all aspects of sexual and reproductive health. Bay Clinic North Bend Medical Center An appointment must be made with a provider. Most insurance providers are accepted. Services include all aspects of sexual and reproductive health. North Bend Medical Center Coast Community Health Center Confidential and affordable services available for anyone regardless of age, gender identity, or race. Services include: STI screening and treatment, contraceptives, and family planning for both men and women. Call to make an appointment. Patients are accepted with or without insurance. Coast Community Health Center Planned Parenthood Eugene-Springfield Planned Parenthood provides complete sexual and reproductive health services regardless of age, race, gender identity or immigration status. Patients are accepted with or without insurance. Planned Parenthood Eugene-Springfield

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. 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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 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 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! 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