OMG! STD? - Unraveling the Itches and Burns Pt.1

The last thing some folks, especially in the US, want to think about during the heat of the moment is a condom or other forms of protection. Unlike our European friends who promote the use of condoms even in their movies, our culture somehow finds talking about it and watching it to be taboo, same with the conditions that come about after we have unprotected sex and get an infection. And if you know me well enough by now, you know that I love talking taboo. :)

When one gets the flu, they feel gross and uncomfortable, but others understand it. When one gets an STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection), they're stigmatized as a slut or man-whore, AND they feel uncomfortable, AND they have to tell others about it. Imagine that.

Here are the abbreviations explained so you don't get tripped up on the letters:

STI - Sexually Transmitted Infection      HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus

STD - Sexually Transmitted Disease      AIDS - Auto Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome

So let's hop into the Ms. Frizzle's bus and jump inside a human to learn about STIs, STDs, and HIV/AIDS. On second thought...


What is well-known:
Chlamydia: This is a type of infection that both men and women get. It's more common than gonorrhea and syphilis and the symptoms are barely noticeable, if there are any symptoms at all and the infection may start within 5-10 days. It is passed via sexual contact with the vagina and/or anus and is commonly found in both genders under the age of 25. It infects the genitals, anus, urethra, eyes, and throat.

Women who have chlamydia or symptoms of chlamydia might experience abdominal pain, abnormal discharge from the vagina, slight fever bleeding after sex, swelling around vagina or anus, need to pee more often than normal, smelly yellow discharge from the vagina.

Men who experience chlamydia symptoms may have swollen testicles, and milky or watery discharge from the penis.
Both genders may have pain during peeing, swelling around the anus, painful intercourse, itchy anus, red eyes/discharge from the eyes, sore throat.
Depending on how badly one has it, the symptoms will be mild and occur in the morning, Most people write it off as a common sickness. But it can turn into something very serious if it isn't checked out, so make sure to see your doctor or health center if you have concerns.
Chlamydia can cause
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.
- Infertility (make a woman unable to produce babies).
- Epididymitis (swelling or pain of the epididymis, the coiled tube behind the testicles that collects sperm).
- Reactive arthritis

It's seriously important to get yourself tested after sex, especially if you're unsure of your sexual partner's history.

Thankfully, chlamydia can be treated and it's easy to do so! You'll need to take antibiotics and visit your health center or doctor to see what the next steps are. It could take a couple of weeks or months. Be sure to refrain from sexual activities until you're fully treated. The infection is still in your body, even after you take antibiotics the first few weeks, the symptoms just dissipate. Try talking to your sexual partner(s) about getting themselves treated as well to avoid spreading the infection on to others. Also be sure to clean your toys and other objects regularly (most can be boiled!) and don't share your meds with anyone. Remember to get tested again after a few months to make sure the infection isn't hanging around.

If you're worried about getting chlamydia, use protection as much as possible! Dental dams and condoms can save you a trip to the doctor and some embarrassing phone calls.

Gonorrhea:

Aliases: the clap, the drip.

This disease can be spread via bodily fluids that carry it, so a mom can pass it to her baby during childbirth. Both genders are able to contract gonorrhea. It usually occurs within people who have had multiple sex partners.

The cause of gonorrhea is bacteria growth within warm, wet areas of the body (cervix, fallopian tubes, urethra, mouth, anus, etc). It's quite common for people to contract gonorrhea, especially among sexually active youth. Protect yourself, you horny-ass teenagers! ;)

If you think you have gonorrhea (symptoms typically occur within 10-14 days you've been exposed/had sex), please consult your care provider or health clinic. Most of the symptoms can develop and become noticeable within a month, and not everyone shows signs of these symptoms! However, you may find that things about your body have changed, such as:

Women -

Green/yellow/white discharge from the vagina

Burning while peeing

Bleeding without having your period/blood spots after sex

Throat burn/swollen glands (oral sex)

Swelling in vulva

Pain in your abdomen/pelvis

Red and itchy eyes

Men -

Green/white/yellow discharge from penis

Swollen testicles

Throat burn/swollen glands (oral sex)

Burning while peeing

In order to diagnose gonorrhea, your health provider will need a sample of the fluid (from the urethra in men, from the cervix in women. Sometimes they'll ask for urine, throat, or anus samples). After, they'll send it to the lab for it to be studied. You'll likely wait for approximately a week before your test comes back. They may ask you if you want to be tested for chlamydia as well, since both tend to occur together.

Hep A: This virus infects the liver. It goes away on its own, with no long term liver problems. Sometimes it can be more serious and lead to more complications. 

Hepatitis A spreads through feces (poop) of  the person infected. This typically happens when the person doesn't wash their hands after using bathroom and continues to work around food/drinks. It spreads mostly in restaurants and day cares. I am not eating at a fast food restaurant any time soon...

Other ways to contract Hep A is via eating raw oysters and under-cooked clams, drinking unfiltered tap water, and having sex with someone who has the virus.

Symptoms of Hep A (or Jéfe, if you're my partner who likes to make jokes...):

- feeling very tired

- feeling sick

- loss of appetite

- losing weight without meaning to

- pain under rib cage

- fever, sore muscles

- dark urine/stool

- yellow skin (jaundice)

Blood tests are able to tell if you have Hep A, and there is a vaccine you can get if you have Hep A. Recommendations are to keep clean hands, wash fruits and veggies before eating them, and being aware of your surroundings if you work with children or in a kitchen.

Hep B: Most adults will have it for a short period of time, then it will go away. Much like Hep A, it damages your liver. Babies and children who were born infected with the virus are likely to have it permanently. Hep B is spread via blood and bodily fluids. You're likely to contract it if you have sex with an infected person without protection, share needles with infected person, get a tattoo/piercing/other body mods without sterilized equipment, and sharing razors or toothbrushes with infected person. Mothers can pass it along to their babies, and the babies can be treated for Hep B. You can't get Hep B from hugging, kissing, sharing food/drinks, sharing toilet seats, or sneezing/coughing on someone. Hepatitis B has symptoms that are similar to the flu. Some symptoms include:

• Feeling tired
• Headache
• Fever
• Not feeling hungry
• Stomach pain/feeling sick
• Vomiting
• Achy muscles
• Yellow skin (jaundice)
• Skin rash

A blood test can give your doctor/care physician the information needed to diagnose you, since most people with chronic Hep B have no symptoms. There is a vaccine for it, too!

Hep C: Probably on the more intense side of the viral hepatitis spectrum, this causes liver damage, liver cancer, and liver failure. Most don't know that they have it until the liver failure sets in. However, those who are able to live with it and manage it tend to live healthy and active lives. Most people who already have Hep C contract chronic Hep C over time. The virus is spread via contact with blood, so no worries about sharing toilets or giving hugs. However, you can get Hep C if you...

• Share needles/get tattoos/piercings with unsanitary needles.
• Have had a blood transfusion with someone who has Hep C, or have been given a shot with an unsterilized needle.

Most are unsure about contracting Hep C via sexual contact, but I would like to assume that you can. Sometimes there are tears and rips that occur within thin tissue, and that means all kinds of viruses can get in your body.

Much like the others, symptoms include feeling tired, having stomach and joint pains, feeling itchy and sore, having dark urine and yellow skin (jaundice). Some people don't find out that they have it until they've been living with it for 10 or more years! 

What is lesser-known:
Bacterial vaginosis (BV): Technically, BV is an STI because it's a vaginal infection. The infection is caused when there's too much of one type of bacteria in the vagina, upsetting the balance of good and bad bacteria. Good bacteria keeps the bad bacteria under control. It isn't a huge problem and can go away in a couple of days with the right treatment. But if it doesn't, you should consult your gynecologist or primary care doctor because it can turn into something more serious.

Who gets BV? - Any woman can get BV, though it's typically found in women ages 15-44, especially those who are sexually active. However, experts believe that you can't get it via another person (or sharing toilet seats). Women who are pregnant and have BV may increase a risk of a miscarriage, low birth weight, an early delivery, or a uterine infection after you give birth. Depending on the way you deliver your baby, there may be a larger risk of a pelvic infection. However, antibiotics can help to fix these problems.

While the cause of BV is unknown, we do know how it spreads. Having multiple sex partners and douching often can mess up the balance of the bacteria and put the woman at risk for getting BV.

Your chances of getting BV are heightened if you smoke, douche, have more than one sexual partner. You can lower your risk if you don't douche or smoke.
Symptoms include a "fishy" smell, which may increase after sex, and a gray-ish or yellow-colored discharge. Because there are many STI's and STDs that cause discharge, I'd suggest going to the doctor or gynecologist to check and get the right treatment for your infection. This means that your doctor will want to take a sample and do a pelvic exam.

Menstruation Complication

Almost nobody like getting their period. I say "almost" because some people use it to make sure they're not pregnant (probably not the best idea, but better than nothing) and some wish they'd just get it already and mature into womanhood. Either way, it still sucks because it's all messy and crampy. Luckily, we've got pads, tampons, cups, and other disposables that make it easier to deal with that time of the month. But what if we didn't have all of this new-fangled stuff? What did women in the past do to help with this monthly problem? Here are a few examples of what women used before the invention of the tampon, as well as some useful tips and sites for all of your period needs. As your pretend doctor and chocolate-enthusiast, I recommend you to eat chocolate and other goodies during your time, even if it's not highly suggested by those "actual doctors".

Bloating: There are times during your period where you can’t get into your own pants. You probably think that it’s because you've gained weight, and technically you’re right. However, it’s not necessarily fat. It’s usually just water weight that you put on during your period. You’ll also feel bloated, like you’ve eaten too much. This is caused by a number of things such as hormone level fluctuation, water retention, or a little weight because of hunger pangs and cravings.

To combat bloating, consider:
- Working out (keeps your weight under control & decreases constipation)
- Lay off salty foods (salt retains water and dehydrates you)
- Try not to use artificial sweeteners (causes diarrhea and gas, adds to your bloating)

If you’re feeling constantly bloated for a few weeks, feel full when you’re eating, or have changes in your urination/defecation, please see a doctor to make sure you’re healthy. These can be signs of potential ovarian cancer or other diseases. 

Heavy bleeding & clotting: Generally associated with hormone levels, heavy bleeding and clotting happen to most women during their period. Some experience it more than others. Depending on your levels of stress and even your birth control, you may find that you bleed more than usual. Clotting is normal for most people, but if you find that you're clotting more frequently and your period is heavier, go see your doctor. This also goes for bleeding between periods and after sex. There's also a link below that with info for dealing with heavy bleeding.

Fatigue: During this time, you'll feel tired and unmotivated. Though it's natural, it isn't always fun. Getting proper nutrients, eating food that are high in iron and vitamins B and C, exercising, and talking with your doctor are some good ways of dealing with fatigue. If you're period is heavy and your fatigue unbearable, speak with your doctor or gynecologist and alert them of any medication you're taking, even if they're non-subscription.

Smell: If you find that your nethers start producing an odor during your period, you should consider switching the products you use or increasing them. Menstrual blood only smells when it comes in contact with open air. Ideally, if you're using the right product for the job, you shouldn't find an odor. Consider changing your pads/tampons/cup frequently if you're concerned.

Blood color: Though blood is typically red and that's what you'd expect during your period, your menstrual blood can come in colors ranging from red to dark brown or black. You may start with red blood, then during the end of your period it will be a muddy brown or black. The darker colors are a sign that your period is at its end because the older blood is being expelled, but it didn't come out at quickly as the blood in the beginning.

Missed period: A missed period is usually a sign of pregnancy, however it can also be a sign of your hormones levels changing. High levels of stress and anxiety affect your period because it's a negative affect on your hypothalamus (the section of your brain that controls the regulation of hormones). If you're under lots of pressure, you're likely to have your period later than usual. Other reasons for a missed/late period are anorexia or bulimia, sudden weight loss or being underweight, irregular sleeping and eating patterns, too much exercise, or a medical condition. If you can, take a pregnancy test before your period to be sure and see your doctor if you have concerns about your period.

Cramping: Depending on the severity of the cramps, there are some exercises and tricks to relieve them.
Doing some light exercises and stretches can help with the puffy feelings and un-cramp the tightened areas. Generally lying on your back and taking deep breaths will help, or you can rub the cramped area and placing a heating pad on it. Ibuprofen is helpful as well. Some other options for those who prefer a herbal alternative are different teas containing ginger, chamomile, and red raspberry leaves. These herbs have healing properties that aid in stomach discomfort and cramping. Other foods to consider area whole grains, raw dairy or limiting your dairy intake, limiting your meat and egg intake (high in the inflammant, arachidonic acid), and eating more fruits and veggies.

Courtesy Ziblie.tumblr.com

Betcha didn't know...

• Egyptian women used softened papyrus, Roman women used animal skins, African women used rolls of dried grass, and other women around the world used wool.

• Women in the 20^th century would use rags to stop the flow (not much of a problem during that age because women had a lot less to eat and tended to have more children). Hence the term “on the rag”.

• Also in the 20^th century, disposable pads were made to be pinned into women’s underwear. Later, a belt was made to hold the pad into place. They were apparently very uncomfortable, making you hate everyone during your period  more than usual. I asked my mom, given her first-hand experience.

• Women in the 1800’s didn't use anything, but wore black underwear to hide the stains. 

• Eventually, women used sponges to prevent bleeding. They were also used as a form of contraception and douches (that’s also in this blog). 

• Menstrual cups were invented in 1937 to collect…well, you know. It lost popularity due to it the mess that came with it, but eventually made a comeback in the 90’s and is still used today.

• Tampons started in the 30’s, but only began adding women in their ads in the 50’s and 60’s. These tampons also came in boxes of “tampon panties” which were worn in addition to tampons to prevent further leaks. It looked like they started in the 60’s and they only cost $1.00!

Reusable pads

• In the late 1960’s, pads with adhesive strips were invented to replace the belt/pinning methods. This idea was amazing and revolutionary, and it’s still the way pads are created today. A word of caution: don’t get the adhesive near your pubic hairs. You will cry. 

• Today we have multiple varieties of menstrual products, including reusable pads!

Diva Cup holders

Links

Heavy bleeding: http://natural-fertility-info.com/heavy-menstrual-bleeding.html
http://www.healthywomen.org/content/article/heavy-menstrual-bleeding-symptoms-and-treatment

HelloFlo period care packages: http://helloflo.com/shop/care-packages

Adorable crocheted spermies: https://www.etsy.com/listing/164582703/custom-spermy-three-pack-made-to-order?ref=listing-1

Cuterus pin: https://www.etsy.com/listing/37157302/pink-cuterus-pinback-button?ref=market

Interesting Information of the Week (this is a new thing)!
There are websites that talk about how marijuana aids in coping with period pains, specifically how and which types of cannabis to use. I found this site that had a simple yet informative article on this topic.
http://www.theweedblog.com/top-five-marijuana-strains-for-pms/

All about the Vajay

The vaj, sugarbox, pussy, Mrs. Fubb's parlor...whatever you tend to call the entirety of the vagina.

Folks, did you know that there are technically 2 holes in the vagina? Crazy, right?! I was unaware, myself.
This is why we should look more closely at one of the most talked about part of the body: the vagina.

[Imagine I've got a laser pointer and I'm wearing a lab coat. It's cooler that way].

I'll be going through each part of this and giving a brief explanation of what it does.

Clitoris: The love nubbin! I just made that up...

This little mound of flesh is generally a highly sensitive area for most women. It's the only part of the vagina that is only for sexual stimulation. When aroused, the clitoris fills with blood and swells. After orgasm, the clitoris is surrounded by the tissues of the clitoral hood and eventually reduces in size. Most prefer having this area licked rather than rubbed or touched. No, vibrators won't desensitize your clitoris but they will make it more difficult for you to reach climax naturally.

Urethral opening: This is what tripped me up about the vagina. See, I didn't get a lot of sex ed in school, so I didn't know that this was a separate thing. Connected directly to the bladder, the urethral opening is where urine comes out of when you pee. Simple as that. As far as I know, there isn't a lot of sexual interest with this area unless you're into golden showers.

Outer and inner lips (the labia): These are the folds of skin protect the clitoris, urethra, and vaginal opening as well as provide some sexual arousal during sex. The part of skin right above the clitoris is called the clitoral hood, and the webbed skin under the vaginal entrance is called the fourchette.

Vaginal opening, uterus, and fallopian tubes: As most already know, the vaginal opening is the area where one may put themselves/objects in during sex. It's also where babies come out of during childbirth, so it's able to stretch to amazing sizes.

The uterus is the muscular organ where the embryo and fetus are taken care of and where they grow, it's also where IUDs are placed to block off spermies from gettin to the fallopian tubes. Lots of folks think that babies are really from someone's tummy, but it's actually much farther down, and the belly button has nothing to do with it.

The fallopian tubes connect the uterus to the ovaries, the egg cells responsible for making babies. These tubes and the egg are the primary destination for spermies to get to, and where the eggs move down during menstruation/periods.

Hymen: Even though it isn't shown in either of these images, the hymen is another part that is temporary. It's also what a majority of people consider to be the difference between a virgin and someone who has had sex, and has many places as far as cultural significance.

Prior to having penetrative sex, the hymen is usually a half moon-shaped thin membrane that allows menstruation flow. During sex, the hymen breaks due to the penetration. Sometimes with enough lubrication and relaxation, people can have sex without the hymen breaking. But it's not only sex that breaks a hymen. One can break their hymen from using a tampon, riding a bike, and experimenting with sex toys.

There are also multiple kinds of hymens such as imperforate hymens, one that covers the entire vaginal opening with the exception of one small hole that allows some menstrual blood to flow through. For more, follow the Young Women's Health link below!

Vulva: The vulva is usually what people mean when they think of vaginas, in my opinion. It's the external genitalia where the pubic hair is and where one can see the labia majora/outer lips. When turned on, this area swells and may become wet, depending on the person. 

http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org

http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/hymen.html

And please check out this wonderful video from Mental Floss on misconceptions about sex. It's fun and educational, like this blog! Right?...right?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSNoiAnUnH0

Here's me in a lab coat! Thanks for reading, peoples!

*edited 8/30/14* Here's a SciShow video that talks about the clitoris!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B5jz1PMoNo

Sort-Of Sex? Dry Humping & Non-Penetrative Relations

So you're interested in sex, but worried about getting pregnant or getting someone else pregnant or maybe you are inexperienced and feeling awkward. ...what do you do?

Good news! There's always dry humping and other forms of non-penetrative sex. 

This is especially useful when you're a teen and you're either not allowed to have sex (hey, it happens), you're nervous about getting caught, or you're just anxious. 

Ms. Luka! I've got questions! What is dry humping and can you actually have sex without having sex?

Great questions, adorable and imaginary student! Let's get started.

Dry humping is act of touching and rubbing up on one another with clothes on and without penetration. Groping, kissing/making out, love bites, etc. These are all forms of sexual acts without having sex. Dry humping will not get anyone pregnant because there's no actual penetration involved. Should a male partner ejaculate in his pants during dry humping and it happens to rub against your nethers, be not afraid! Unless he just let go a gallon of semen and he's right up in there, then you should be just fine.

Just because there's dry humping and non-penetrative sex doesn't mean that you can't touch each other and get a little hot and heavy. Here are some ways of having some fun without getting too serious:

Rubbing/Scissoring - These are the acts of rubbing penises together (penis cuddles!) or swordplaying, and rubbing vaginas together (vajay cuddles!).

Mutual masturbation - If you know what masturbation is, you'll get an idea of what mutual masturbation is. Sexually stimulating your partner while they also stimulate you is mutual masturbation. This includes fingering, hand jobs, anal play, etc. 

Breast stimulation - Playing with the breasts and nipples can be fun. Jumbling them around, experiment with boob jobs, or even sweet kisses and bites can be sexy and creative.

Oral sex - If you've read at least some of this blog, we've mentioned oral sex. Going down on your partner doesn't always have to lead to sexual intercourse and it helps relieve tension. It also means you can try some fun tongue tricks and play with food, too!

If you had friends like I did in high school, they'll likely pretend to do these things on a daily basis in the halls or in the classroom before classes start. Nothing serious, just good ol' fashioned rubbing. Well, that's how it was with most of the guys. The gals weren't always quite that silly. 


Please leave any comments if you have questions or would like me to add stuff to my blogs. Also, for the first time ever, you can follow me on Twitter! I'd love to hear from you. I just made a Twitter account after much procrastination and angst. Here's the link if you're interested!

https://twitter.com/Luka_Thalius

<3 Luka

Update!

Brief update here! I finished college for this semester, but I got more hours because some folks I work with had things to do. I've also been a little lazy, and I got new art software, and I'm working on a gaming channel for Youtube.

So yeah, sorry guys. I'm looking for more material for the bloggings, but I'll come up with something if nobody helps out :P

I might write about the mysterious G-Spot on the ladies, or male masturbation, or something like that. Touch yourself, just go for it! :D

See you soon!
Luka

Get Your Geek On! - Convention Safety

Dude, conventions are fun! Especially the ones geeks and gamers have. But there are people at cons who are looking to have too much fun, and there might even be people who could make others feel uncomfortable. How do we deal with that? Also, how do we deal with sexuality at cons? Here's some basic information on convention policies and how to be safe.

My partner and I went to PAX East last weekend and we had a blast! I felt very blessed to be completely comfortable (emotionally. Physically, it was a 20,000 people sauna of sweat and testosterone in there) in my surroundings. Sexually, my partner and I weren't doing anything because we were being respectful of his family which we were sharing a room with. You just don't do that to family...

I looked online at some policies because I wanted to know what would happen if someone felt unsafe at a convention. Here are a few examples:

PAX East

"If at any point you feel unsafe at PAX or that any of the rules have been broken, we ask that you inform an Enforcer or member of PAX staff immediately. Your safety is our primary concern, and if you feel that safety has been compromised, we will do everything in our power to rectify the issue. Issues of violence and harassment are addressed immediately, with guarded “Safe Areas” being designated in case any incidents do arise."

"Any form of harassment, whether that’s based on gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, or religion, will not be tolerated at PAX. If you are caught or reported to have harassed anyone at PAX, you will go through our reporting process and face remediation steps."

"PAX has a strict ‘no booth babe’ policy with the purpose of creating an environment where everyone can feel comfortable and welcome, and the focus is on games, not hired booth staff. Booth babes are defined as staff of ANY gender used by exhibitors to promote their products at PAX by using overtly sexual or suggestive methods. Partial nudity, the aggressive display of cleavage and the navel, and shorts/skirts higher than 4” above the knee are not allowed. If for any reason an exhibit and/or its contents are deemed objectionable to PAX management, the exhibitor will be asked to alter the attire of its staff."http://east.paxsite.com/safety-and-security

San Diego Comic Con

"Attendees must respect common sense rules for public behavior, personal interaction, common courtesy, and respect for private property. Harassing or offensive behavior will not be tolerated. Comic-Con reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the membership and badge of any attendee not in compliance with this policy. Persons finding themselves in a situation where they feel their safety is at risk or who become aware of an attendee not in compliance with this policy should immediately locate a member of security, or a staff member, so that the matter can be handled in an expeditious manner."
http://www.comic-con.org/cci/convention-policies

Anime Boston
Unsolicited physical contact is part of their prohibited contact policy and will be dealt with according to their "Reprecussions and Violations" policies depending on the severity of the action.
(There wasn't much on this topic, so I didn't add the link because I didn't have any legit blurbs)

With these in mind, how could one keep themselves safe at a convention sexually and personally?

I went to a panel on gender inequality in video gaming where one of the panelists mentioned that a cosplayer for her video game was approached by an attendee and he asked if he could grab her ass because he liked her costume. I would say this is a huge no! But it brings me to my first topic:

1. Be Aware of Your Surroundings and Your Cosplay
If you're feeling uncomfortable right off the bat with your cosplay and others making gestures or comments towards you, I think it's time to change. I suggest bringing a small bag with extra clothes in it so you can change at any time. Likewise, be aware that your cosplay may entice others to make passes at you, grab you, make comments, etc.

Personally, I wish I had thought about this. I dressed up as Kaylee from Firefly and my coveralls were too tight. Wedgies galore...

2. No Means No
If someone asks an inappropriate question, make sure they know the answer if you're not into that. Some folks think that when they're in cosplay that they are that character. I know a few people who dressed up as characters from Hetalia and they're engaged. One of them was groped by another Hetalia cosplayer because those characters are often shipped together. Also, please ask others if you can have hugs and get pictures taken.

My partner and I got to meet our favorite Youtuber, Markiplier. One question that I was asked by a friend was "DID YOU TOUCH HIS BUTT?!" My first reaction was no, but I should have. Realistically, I probably would have asked to touch considering he might have said yes and grabbing might freak him out or something. I want to be polite, not get kicked out of PAX.

3. Consider a Group

By that, I mean tag along with a group of people! If you're 18 and younger, it's a good idea to go with friends or family. At least there's someone there to help if you feel unsafe. If you're 18+, still consider traveling with a group in case there's a problem. Make sure to get contact information so you could meet up if someone is lost.

4. Know Your Exits, Ride, and Stay-Over Location
Be sure you know where your convention location is and to arrive on time to get inside and without trouble. You never know, these things happen. Also, give yourself enough time to get your things together. You're going to want a water bottle or another water-storage device, a pen for autographs and stuff, money for merchandise and prostitutes (not really), protection in case there will be some sexy times (you never know), and food.
You should know where your ride will be (if you're getting driven by a friend, walking, taking a bus, etc), and how you're getting to where you're staying for the night.

5. Consult Security
Please feel free to talk to security if there are any safety concerns you have during your time. They're pretty friendly folks and I'm sure they wouldn't mind to help.


This was just a brief overview of what you should do for a convention. I hope it helped! I'll be posting more in the near future during summer vacation :)

Trans* Health (I don't have anything witty for this)

I've got a lot of friends and loved ones who identify as trans* and I think it's important to include how to be healthy as a trans* individual. Note that I am not trans* identified (more gender non-conforming), I am an ally who wants to help give others info. If you would like for me to add more about this topic, please indicate in the comments below!

Let's begin with the terminology: trans*
I use the asterisk because I believe that trans doesn't always mean transgender, it's a transitioning point for people who don't agree with their gender assigned at birth, and it's an ever-changing point for some. It could mean that this person uses gender non-conforming pronouns, or the pronouns of their opposite gender (i.e. if they were born female, they may choose to use male pronouns), they could wear the clothing that makes them feel like themselves and identify as trans*, they could prefer to be called a transsexual, or they could be someone who says they identify as (insert pronoun here), and they have a trans history. Because I couldn't possibly know everyone's story, I use an asterisk. It's sort of a "DIY Fill in the Blank". Onward!

If you want more information, then follow this link:

Yes, I went there. Now seriously, follow this link -

http://transhealth.ucsf.edu/trans?page=protocol-terminology

As one might imagine, there are multiple health concerns that trans* folks deal with during their transition. Mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, etc. The biggest thing to do is to respect that person's preferred gender pronouns and not to ask about their previous identity (who they were born as), as that can be offensive. I'm sure those of you who identify as cisgender (a fancy word that means you use the gender pronouns that match with your identity at birth. Ex: Male at birth = he, him, his) that you have questions and curiosities, which would be normal, I think. However, I'd suggest going to an official website for that information as to how transitioning works or visit a Trans* convention or conference that offers workshops for you to attend.

I myself have been to the Transcending Boundaries conference in Mass that has offered lots of amazing workshops and panels, and I got to meet Kate Bornstein! I'd suggest looking up the nearest GLBTQ or Trans* conference in your area and checking it out.

There are problems concerning trans* people and HIV which still exist. The sex hormones needed for transition (estrogen and testosterone) can be taken via pill, skin patch, and injection. The injection part is what is the concern as far as HIV is considered. If one doesn't use clean needles, HIV can easily be contracted. Reuse of needles also pose health concerns, but we'll get to that in another post.

Some issues that occur during transition include:
Fears of finding a partner
Family and friend relationships
Work relationships
Violence and prejudice
Experiencing surgeries and changes
Changing legal documents.

After transition:
Varying levels of satisfaction with appearance and surgeries
Unaddressed emotional issues
Disappointment.

Overall concerns:
Finding health professionals that will be understanding
People not using preferred pronouns
Suicidal thoughts
Depression & anxiety

As far as physical health, I could not find very many things that were up-to-date and accurate for trans* individuals. I did find a link on what to talk about with your health care provider as a trans* person. Here it is, as well as some information from Fenway Health on Trans* Awareness Week.

http://www.glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=692

http://fenwayfocus.org/2013/11/transwk-transgender-awareness-week-2013/

Sorry, folks. When I find more information, this will be updated! Please, please feel free to add comments below if there are any mistakes or if there's something I missed. Take care!

- Luka T.