We asked you in our survey how you describe your sexual orientation. One of our favorite responses:
If sexualities were music notes, where the low ones indicated you like guys and the high ones indicated you like girls, my sexuality would be a slayer guitar solo.
Rock on, tumblr fans. Rock on.
Transgender or gender non-conforming? Know your voting rights.
Important. Just because you’ve accidentally said things that were transphobic in the past doesn’t mean you can’t learn and help educate yourself and others right now and for the future.
(source: UC Davis Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center, via TylerOakley)
(Source: bigclitslittletits)
Planned Parenthood health centers are welcoming of all sexual orientations and genders.
Someone asked us:
Hi! I was just wondering about the HPV vaccine and recommendations for trans women. Since my legal sex is still ‘male,’ is it still a good idea for me to get the vaccine?
Depending on how old you are, it may be a great idea for you to get vaccinated.
There are two types of HPV vaccines in the US. Cervarix prevents against two strains of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancers as well as vaginal and anal cancers. The other vaccine is called Gardasil and it protects against these two cancer causing strains plus an additional two strains of HPV that cause 90% of genital warts. So regardless of gender, we recommend that anyone age 9-26 get the HPV vaccine.
What about folks older than 26? It’s likely that they have already been exposed to HPV and therefore the vaccine isn’t going to be as beneficial. But you can always talk with your health care provider about the specifics of your situation.
And btw, Planned Parenthood strives to provide LGBT-friendly health care. Find a health center.
-Nathan at Planned Parenthood
We’ve talked a little bit here in the past about gender and trans* issues. Now we have a whole page on trans* identities, trans-folks, transitioning, and what it means to question your gender identity. Check it out.
The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has published two groundbreaking booklets on sexual health for trans people. Each one contains basic – yet valuable – information on trans bodies and health needs.
Each booklet tackles a whole bunch of common questions, such as: do post-op trans women…
(via scarleteen and Trans Activist)
HINT: Ellen, Elton, Oscar, Perez, Lorraine, k.d. and Langston
Someone asked us:
Q. For a lesbian couple in a monogamous relationship, is it necessary to cover sex toys with condoms? Thank you.
Hi! It’s good you’re thinking about safer sex, even when pregnancy isn’t a possibility. For anyone using sex toys, it’s important to keep them clean to avoid transmitting STDs as well as bacteria. Using condoms is one way to minimize transmitting anything between partners if both people are using the toy. They’re also helpful between uses by multiple partners, as they can reduce the amount of bodily fluids that stay on the toys between uses. If only one person is using a toy, condoms are also preferable if you’re not able to clean your toys often. Even if you’re using condoms though, make sure to clean your toys regularly. The instructions that come with your sex toys should include washing instructions.
-Tobias at PPFA
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