Whether you like boys or girls or both, it’s always important to respect and protect yourself.
Respect: Talk, talk, talk with your partner! Make sure you and your partner are on the same page with your feelings, how far you want to go and what you feel comfortable doing.
Protect: Take steps to protect yourself from STDs and unintended pregnancy. Boys can get STDs from boys or girls. Girls can get STDs from boys or girls. This means that no matter who you have any kind of sex play (like vaginal, anal, oral sex or rubbing bodies together) with, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself:
- Use condoms for vaginal sex or anal sex. (Learn more abou he Male condom. Learn more about the Female condom.)
- Use a barrier method like a dental dam for oral sex or oral-anal contact (sometimes called “rimming”).
- If using sex toys, put a condom on the sex toy (a new condom for each partner) so that you don’t come in contact with each other’s body fluids (like vaginal fluids or blood).
- Get tested for STDs! If you and your partner both know what you’re dealing with, it’s easier to protect yourselves and each other. You can get tested and treatment for STDs at a clinic near you.
- Talk with your partner about blisters, bumps or sores either of you have or have had in the past on your mouth or on or near your genitals. If you see any blisters, bumps or sores, avoid touching them or having any kind of sex until you talk with a doctor about them.
- Talk with your partner about the need for honesty. If you or your partner decide to have sex with someone else, you need to talk about this and get tested for STDs.