Is the Safe Sex Card a pass to condomless sex?

Em and Lo
stfree.jpg
stfree.jpg

We're usually all for anything that encourages safer sex. And in theory, the STFree Safe Sex License (recently reported on by New York's Daily News) is a great idea: Test people--especially those in high risk communities--for STDs (mainly HIV), give them a card with their picture and an ID number. They can then give that card to potential sex partners, who can call to confirm the results. The idea is to encourage honest discussion about sexual history with partners, as well as regular testing.

But here's why we're not 100 percent gung-ho:

  • They test mainly for HIV (which admittedly is the mutha of all STDs), though the card's name would suggest that all STDs are covered. Regarding testing for other STDs, the website says, "Those Safe Sex Licenses require an extremely frequent amount of testing. It is mostly used in the adult entertainment industry, but can be provided to any user who requests one." Which kinda sounds to us like they don't do them that much. On top of that, there really isn't a viable men's test for HPV, one of the most common STDs out there.

  • HIV doesn't show up for three months (in most cases) to six months (in rare cases) on tests, so you could get negative test results but still be infected. Plus, if you get tested and then have sex the next day, you could contract anything that person had and it won't show up on the card, of course.

  • It's the better-than-nothing approach: Planned Parenthood does the testing, so we're sure they use it as an opportunity for community education on safer sex. And the website says, "STFree encourages its members to always use condoms in conjunction with our service. We also inform our members that individuals can contract the virus after being tested."

But the site also says, "Studies have proven that most people who get tested don't return for a follow-up test." We worry a card like this can give people a false sense of security. The company name itself is a bit of a misnomer, automatically suggesting that card-holders are STD-free; besides, what does "sexually transmitted free" mean exactly anyway? And what's to prevent the more unscrupulous from using it as merely a free-pass on condoms: "Call this number, you'll see I'm negative, that means we don't need to use a condom." HIV prevention is a noble and important crusade--this just seems like it might be at the expense of other, more common STDs, and perhaps even unplanned pregnancy.

Check out Glamour's article on everything you ever wanted to know about down there!

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