After years of hard work, it’s finally time to let loose and celebrate. But as fun as schoolies can be, it’s important that you stay safe, including when it comes to sex. Use condoms The easiest way to practice safe sex? Use condoms. Condoms act as a physical barrier, preventing […]
What is STI testing? STI testing is the process of running medical tests to check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is quick, easy, and confidential. Most STI tests only require a blood test and either a self-collected swab or a urine sample. Why is STI testing important? […]
It’s Valentine’s Day National Condom Day! It’s no coincidence that Valentine’s Day and National Condom Day fall on the same day… but in terms of which one we’re celebrating, well, that’s a no brainer. Here at Play Safe, we’ll take any excuse to celebrate condoms, but today, on National Condom […]
After years of hard work, it’s finally time to let loose and celebrate. But as fun as schoolies can be, it’s important that you stay safe, including when it comes to sex. Use condoms The easiest way to practice safe sex? Use condoms. Condoms act as a physical barrier, preventing […]
What is STI testing? STI testing is the process of running medical tests to check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is quick, easy, and confidential. Most STI tests only require a blood test and either a self-collected swab or a urine sample. Why is STI testing important? […]
It’s Valentine’s Day National Condom Day! It’s no coincidence that Valentine’s Day and National Condom Day fall on the same day… but in terms of which one we’re celebrating, well, that’s a no brainer. Here at Play Safe, we’ll take any excuse to celebrate condoms, but today, on National Condom […]
World AIDS Day Ever wondered why you see red ribbons everywhere in early December? Well, it’s because of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st of December each year and is all about showing support for people living with HIV, raising awareness about HIV prevention, testing […]
Home › Forums › Sexual Health › Killing the stigma around Herpes
Tagged: sti-prevention, STIs
Hi @stephaniaaaah, so sorry to hear about your partners initial horrible reaction and also thanks for helping normalise it by talking about it! So many people have it and the stigma is just unfair & gross. Someone I know actually contracted herpes after being sexually assaulted and was suicidal and depressed for a very long time – it’s disgusting that people joke about it when people contract STIs from being sexually assaulted, being cheated on etc (not throwing anyone under the bus who has an STI from having casual sex or whatever, just trying to demonstrate the many ways it can be transmitted). I have no idea how we can end the stigma though, considering the misinformation just seems to be continuing over the years. There are people like Ella Dawson and she is pretty damn awesome, but generally societies view doesn’t seem to be changing 🙁
@Purple That is such an important point to raise and I can imagine what a lack of control that person must have felt from the assault and then of course, the diagnosis. I feel like the stigma comes under the umbrella of humans fearing things they don’t understand and cannot control. If anything, education must give us the ability to recognise we all feel afraid sometimes and we are all also out of control i.e. susceptible to the hurdles life throws at us.