Let's Talk About It

When was the last time you did something “for the first time”? After a series of calls about what we should expect when we’re expecting to…you know, I thought a politically correct article was in order.

And not a single muscular and obliging male/butch to demonstrate - because let’s be honest, no one really reads sexual health brochures for the text!

As if discovering one’s own sexual orientation wasn’t enough of a crucible of uncertainty, embarrassment and awkwardness, now you actually have to find the courage and flexibility to act on the sexual desires you have (unless you find yourself to be gay, but asexual: a topic we are SO going to talk about).

So best preparatory practices for what Bridget Jones calls “the crucial moment”:

Bone Up: actually READ the brochures and blogs about safe sex and maybe get an idea of what purportedly goes on between two or more people intimately. I’m not saying whip out your credit cards for those suspect websites, actually take the time to educate yourself.

Ask the Question: now be honest, are you really ready for this? Do you really want to engage in intercourse with…whatever they said their name was? Because IT IS TOTALLY OK if you don’t, and IT IS TOTALLY OK if you decide that you don’t midway through. Sexual experiences are meant to feel good, be sure to evaluate how comfortable and ready you are for this big deal.

Get Wet for Round One: It’s an old pun, but for both men and women a little lubricant never hurt anyone. Now maybe I am toeing the old “can they put this in print” line, but often people refer to ‘solo’ sessions in terms of trying to experience the closest thing to homosexual intercourse. Practice makes prepared!

Heavy Breathing: The calls we receive at the service go from toe-curlingly positive to horrifically negative. Take sex seriously, and the best advice we can give is to be safe and relax. If you feel ready, you feel prepared, then you should have the time of your life, opening up a whole world of possibility for yourself.

Still feeling concerned? Don’t just take my word for what might be a good idea as you move into the hectic world of dating and knocking Birkenstocks. It’s always good to have support, so ask your friends for ways to be safe and shake off your concerns.

Gay and Lesbian Community Services provide telephone support, counselling and even just listening nightly 7pm-10pm on (08) 8193 0800. Follow on twitter @glcs_sa and find them on facebook.