Idea for "LGBTQ Health Matters" week

[lightningandsnow]

A local health centre in my city is having a "LGBTQ Health Matters" week in April, and schools and community organizations are encouraged to host their own events or programs as part of that week.

I'm the president of the gay-straight alliance at my school, and I've noticed that sex ed at my school, while not of the crappy abstinence-only variety, is sorely lacking, especially when it comes to LGBT issues.

I was thinking, I could set up a display table, with a display board with information on safer sex for people of all sexualities. (I.E. some of the stuff they don't teach you in school). Also, I was thinking, we could leave some pamphlets out about the subject, from local organizations and such. We could also give out condoms (this wouldn't be an issue, I think - people have given out condoms at my school before), as well as gloves and dental dams. I could probably get this donated. It's all about the safer sex.

I know this would probably cause at least a bit of controversy - but I feel like it's worth it.

What do you think of this idea? And does anyone have any ideas for other things we could do for that week?

[ExtraGriz]

1. myth of safe oral sex

i think a lot of people think that oral sex is a form of safe sex, when its actually quite unsafe. (yes, its safer when condoms are use for oral sex, but majority of people do not use condoms during oral sex).....a gay make friend of mine got diagnosed with HIV this past december and he was shocked, as he stated the only sex he engages in is oral sex and he dont understand how he could of gotten infected.

also, a lot of teens have been swept into this myth that oral sex is an alternative to intercourse (pregnancy factor, less risk of spreading stds, oath to remain a virgin til marriage, etc)....not true!!

i think there's a need for more frank discussion re oral sex and the risk factor involved.

[lightningandsnow]

2. Yeah...

That's why I want to give out gloves and dental dams, as well as condoms. It's all sex.

[MountainLaurel]

3. Suicide prevention

Since the risk of suicide among gay teens is three times higher than for straight students. (That may be just a U.S. figure, though.) Or something about domestic violence in gay relationships: signs to watch out for and where to get help. (That sort of information would have saved some friends of mine a lot of pain.)