Normalize Positive STI Results
Positive STI results happen each day. And with these positive results, often bubbles internalized stigma to the surface.
We aren’t taught what to do if and when we test positive. We’re taught what these STIs look like (which is weird? Because some, like herpes, be asymptomatic, but no one ever told me that!!). We’re taught to use “protection” (also weird because condoms do not 100% protect users from STIs that are transferred from skin-to-skin).
-
And we’re not really given any conversation skills or advice of how to navigate sex with our partners who might have an STI (also weird, because 1 in 2 sexually active young adults will contract an STI by age 25). I’m tired of seeing the pamphlets with the smiling faces that seem posed, awkward, and frankly, disingenuous.
-
A positive STI diagnosis is not the end of the world, but stigma can certainly make it feel that way. Help me change the narrative.