Too Shy To Show - Dr. Dick

Too Shy To Show

Dear Dr. Dick,

I'm a 25 year old techno-savvy guy - I'm cool at work, great to be with - the girls just adore me. But, I like guys and prefer guys - but nobody knows in my family, friends - at home or at work, even socially.

I've been messing around with guys for months now. I guess, you'd call me straight-curious. I'm not gay - I top only, occasionally I'll suck a nice small cock or rim a nice bubble butt. I haven't been using condoms since I'm not gonna get the guys pregnant, right!?

I'm too shy to go in to my doctor's to get checked and stuff though. So, I'm checking in with you. What should I be worried about? I don't really hear much about any gay scares.

Too Shy To Show

Dear TSTS,

I'm not one for labels myself - whether you're straight, gay, bisexual, straight-curious, etc - you like who you like - and that's that! However, if you are going to express your sexual interest in someone (or something), SEXUAL SAFETY is the one thing I am sure to remind guys about. And, guys who have sex with guys are at considerably greater risk for sexually transmitted bugs than guys who only play with girls - 400 times greater risk, for example, for acquiring HIV, even if you're mostly a top.

HIV, STD or any sexual "bug" for that matter DOES NOT discriminate. Just because you may not identify as gay does not mean you're immune to acquiring HIV. But, some people do think that and word does get around as fast as syphilis or gonorrhea spreads around!

Gettin' it on with a guy or an occasional gal - you MUST get tested regularly. Whether it's oral or anal - STD risks are there. Get tested regularly every 3 months for the following:

HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea AND Hepatitis

Especially if you have multiple partners!

Start with having conversations around your sexual safety guidelines as much as you talk about acting out your fantasies. And, tell your partners when you were last tested and your results, even if they were all negative. Saying "I was HIV negative as of last month" will help your partner disclose to you whether he/she has been tested and when the last test was. Also, it sounds odd to some people, but you might be surprised at how many folks are actually comfortable wearing condoms for sex, even blowjobs and such.

Online resources are definitely out there - but doctors and specialists are trained with years of education and practice to know what an STD looks, feels and smells like - so I encourage you to go in. There are a lot of weird and fake online resources out there - as much as there are online chat spammers.

If it feels uncomfortable seeing your doctor - there are other options locally. You can schedule an appointment at the following:

  • Gay City Wellness Center - 511 E. Pike St - 206.860.6969
  • Harborview STD Clinic - 325 9th Ave - 206.744.3590
  • Or if you go to bathhouses and sex clubs, most of these locations offer free, confidential and anonymous testing.

For now - always clean underwear and buckle up - take care of yourself!

Dr. Dick


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