This page contains information
pertinent to gay men engaging in
unprotected anal sex.
If you have any published
information pertaining to
health issues and barebacking,
please forward the information
here, along with contact info.
so I may get authorization to
add it to this website.
~BBJ

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The following information was
compiled by Michael Scarce
a writer for POZ magazine,
during his research for
articles about barebacking.
___________________________

SAFER BAREBACKING CONSIDERATIONS

This is not a set of HIV prevention guidelines.
Intended only for gay men who have already decided not
to use condoms for anal sex, some advocates believe
these strategies may help reduce the harm associated
with barebacking. Here, harm should be interpreted more
broadly than HIV infection; these tips may also help
reduce the risk of other STDs. And bear in mind that
much of this info is anecdotal and debated by
researchers.

1. POPPERS AND VIAGRA

Dilated blood vessels in the rectum caused by sniffing
poppers make it easier for viruses to enter your
bloodstream, so if your partner ejaculates inside you,
you're wide open for infection. Viagra works similarly
and poses similar risks by increasing blood flow to
the pelvic region, facilitating erection, and to the
rectum.

2. LUBRICANT

Use it generously to help prevent tears that allow infection.
Don't rely on saliva. Nonoxynol-9 may afford limited
protection against some STDs. However, it may irritate
and increase the urethral or rectal tissues' susceptibility.
One study of N-9 use in gay men's rectums found it did not
create irritation that would significantly increase risk of
infection, but medical literature yields conflicting data
on this. An over-the-counter contraceptive gel, like
Advantage 24, is unlikely to fully coat the rectum and
provide complete protection.

3.EARLY WITHDRAWAL

Early withdrawal before ejaculation may reduce risk. But since HIV
and other infectious agents are in pre-cum, this method still
poses a risk.

4. RATIONING

Rationing barebacking over time limits the number of exposures
and sex partners - which can reduce the risk of harm-and
allows time for healing of tears or trauma in the rectum,
urethra and outer skin of the penis.

5. NEGOTIATION

Try to talk with partners about STD status, including HIV,
herpes, hepatitis and human papilloma virus (which causes
anal and genital warts). If talk isn't part of your sex,
you may be able to see or feel warts, lesions, discharge
or other physical signs of STDs. Be aware that one may be
asymptomatic yet still infectious. Decide ahead of time if
you're willing to cum in your partner or allow him to cum in
you, then assess your ability to trust your mutual adherence
to that agreement.

6. BEFORE- AND AFTER-CARE

Douching or using enemas with harsh detergents can strip away
protective cells in the rectum. If you use an enema before sex,
try warm water. Be careful not to create tears inside or around
the anus. Some believe lubes, especially oil- and silicon-based,
can trap germs against the skin, increasing likelihood of
infection. Douching with a spermicidal foam or homemade vinegar-
and-water solution after sex may render some infectious agents
inactive, but little research has been conducted in this area.
If you are having sex with multiple partners over a short time,
don't douche until after the last one. Try to urinate right after
sex: Urine's acidity can help clean out the urethra.

7. IMMUNITY

The more stressed, under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
tired or ill you are, chances will be higher that an exposure
results in infection. If you have HIV and another STD, you are
more likely to transmit HIV. If you're HIV negative and have an
STD, you're more likely to become infected with HIV if exposed.

8. GET VACCINATED

Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B. Barebacking exposes you
to fecal matter and other Hepatitis-transmitting fluids.


INTERNET RESOURCES

www.managingdesire.org
Check out the article by Nicholas Sheon and and Aaron Plant titled
"Protease Dis-Inhibitors? The Gay Bareback Phenomenon." Probably the
most balanced and thorough piece on barebacking that has been published on
the Internet to date.

www.gaybareback.com/page1.htm
Includes a directory of members who frequent the IRC (Internet relay chat)
bareback channel, information on ordering bareback videos, personal ads,
and other links.

www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/bareback
Provides instructions on how to subscribe to the moderated listserv
dedicated to barebacking interests. This listserv does not allow
discussions of HIV or AIDS.

http://rampages.onramp.net/~tmike/xtremesex/xtreme.html
This web site includes media clippings on barebacking, personal ads that
include men looking to infect or become infected by others, links, and
more.
Note: This website is no longer online

#gaybareback
Internet Relay Chat channel dedicated to barebacking, with live chat
between online users. Requires client software (mIRC) and connection to
any Efnet server.

www.geocities.com/~sexpanicnyc/sexsans.htm
This site includes the text of an essay by Tony Valenzuela titled "Let's
Talk About Sex Without Condoms."

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HEALTH-RELATED LINKS
	Visit this site and help my friend, Dr. Cason, with his research on bareback sex. The questionnaire is confidential if you want it to be, and you'll be helping him by sharing your information.
	If you are an HIV-Negative barebacker and would like to learn about a current medical trial for a vaccine against HIV, visit the VaxGen site for current info.
	The Kinsey Institute has asked for research input from members of this website. If you'd like to help in their research, visit their site and fill out the questionnaire, which is 100% anonymous.
Want to know what your risk potential is? Check out this brief anonymous Risk Profiler page and find out.	For some Q & A on HIV risk assessment, CLICK HERE

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