Sense Project

GREAT NEWS today as a superior court judge in Ontario ruled that the current prostitution laws actually endanger sex workers rather than protect them.  About time!!  Laws against communicating for the purposes of prostitution, making any living off of sex work, and keeping a “bawdy house” (aka a brothel) do more harm than good to sex workers, forcing their work underground and limiting their ability to protect themselves.

Terri-Jean Bedford and Valerie Scott, who launched the constitutional challenge to the current laws

Find out more:

-From the Globe & Mail: Ontario superior court judge strikes down controversial prostitution law

-From CBC: Prostitution law struck down by Ontario court

-Check out Stella, a Montreal community resource by and for sex workers.

-Statement from the Sex Professionals of Canada website.

-The now-defunct but always-awesome $pread Magazine.

We say HURRAY and CONGRATULATIONS to every single dedicated person and group involved in this struggle. We know that the federal government is “concerned”, and considering appealing this decision, to avoid a domino effect of decriminalization across the country before they can shut it down. We say, domino away!

Check out this sweet site: Sex, Etc: it’s a sex ed sight by teens for teens in the US and beyond! They’ve got a chat room, forums, comics, videos, a lexicon of sex words, and tons more. Peer education is rad.

Please click here for a great summary on what the Health Care Reform entails in the US.  The author makes some really good points and divides them up into four sections; namely, the Good, the Questionable, the Bad and What Comes Next.

So, if you’re at all curious and want something that’s “to the point” and easy to read, make sure to check it out…

While you should know that female condoms exist; today, I want to talk about male condoms. Why? Well, if we’re talking about pleasure, we should also be talking about safety.

A few key points about male condoms:

1. Most condoms are made of latex. Only water-based lubes can be used with latex and latex also happens to prevent all sperm, bacteria and viruses from passing through it.
2. Male condoms can also be made out of polyurethane. Therefore, if you or your partner is allergic to latex, this is a good option. And, they can be used with both water and oil based lubes.
3. Lambskin condoms exist; but, the pores are too big to prevent the transmission of some viruses. Bottom line is…You can use them to prevent pregnancy but not for safer sex. Actually, you should always read labels closely to see if your condoms will protect you from STIs.
4. Condoms come in a variety of shapes and sizes because not all penises are the same shape or size.
5. Condoms come in many flavours which is great for oral sex.
6. Do not wear two condoms at the same time!
7. Protect your condoms since you never know when you’ll get lucky. So, don’t stick them in your wallet or keep them loose in your pockets (yup, they can get damaged that way). You could put them in a plastic cigarette case, which you can buy at the dollar store to prevent damage. Always store your condoms in a cool dry place.
8. Be proud, not embarrassed, when you purchase condoms!
9. You can get free condoms at places like Head and Hands, the ACCM, schools and many other community health service providers.
10. For more info and for a very detailed 6 step guide on how to use a male condom, please download our Peer Education Manual and see pages 94 to 97.

Midwest Teen Sex Show on condoms:

Fun condom ad by AIDES: