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Let's Talk About Sex
What is Safe Sex?
Birth Control Methods and Protection
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

“Safe Sex” refers to sex that’s well thought out, that means that both partners have thought about the consequences of sex, and choose to protect themselves from an unwanted pregnancy or getting or passing on an STI. Back to top


Make sure that you and your partner are protected against Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Pregnancy if you’re not ready to have a baby. Make sure that your heart is protected—Are you with someone you trust? Does your partner respect you and your boundaries?

Make sure that you are sober, staying away from alcohol
and/or drugs when you make your decision to be sexual with someone else.

Both partners should agree to be sexual with each other, and should make that decision for themselves, not because one partner is pressuring the other. At any point, each partner should feel able to say no to sex. What good is someone’s “yes” if he or she can’t say “no?” Is that a real “yes?”

Sex should be fun. But, it’s got to be fun, even after you consider all the consequences. If you are worried about pregnancy, STI’s, getting caught by your parents, or that you might not be able to trust your partner—it’s difficult to relax and enjoy sex. Remember, Not thinking about the consequences of sex Does NOT make them go away. Taking responsibility for your decisions is a big part of being sexually active.

Your decision to be sexual should be honest—to yourself and to your partner. Is choosing to be sexually active something that you really want?

It shouldn’t be about what your partner wants or what your friends think or what you hear about in songs or movies. It’s something that feels right to you without any pressure from anyone else.

Make sure that you can you and your partner can talk honestly about your sexual history and the physical and emotional consequences of being sexually intimate.

There are a lot of reasons why people choose to be sexually active—some well thought out and others not. It’s up to you to decide which reasons are well thought out—ones that afterwards you can still respect yourself and show respect to your partner. Deciding to be sexual is a big decision—make sure that you and your partner consider all of the consequences—good and bad—honestly. Back to top