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Hi Everyone….I’m writing a research paper for my Women’s Health Issues class about HPV. The paper involves a political or community outreach component, and I’ve decided to compile stories (possibly in zine format, and hopefully distributed to clinics or sex education organizations) about advice on how to disclose the fact of having an STI to a potential sex partner. Personally, I have found this incredibly stressful, and have yet to devise a dignified, painless way to go about it.
So, I’m seeking stories. These are things I want to address:
*Successful experiences, or discussions that didn’t go so well, or maybe proved to be learning experiences.
*Has a potential partner ever said no to sex because of your disclosure, or revealed that he/she has one too?
*Various reactions from partners and how you dealt with them
*Advice on when in the relationship to have the conversation. What if it’s a one-night stand? Is it always necessary to tell the other person, and if not, what are the deciding factors?
*How to alleviate potential fears that your partner might have. What about questions that don’t really have answers (or don’t have good ones, such as “Will a condom protect me from HPV?â€Â)?
*The issue of trust
Basically, I’m thinking of this compilation as a resource for someone who is unsure about how to be sexually active with an STI while being concerned for their partner’s well-being, as well as their own feelings. I’m hoping to have enough stories within two weeks. They will all, of course, be totally anonymous.
Thanks for your help!
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