In Episode 263 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, 38-year-old Zach shares his story of testing positive for HSV2 in 2017. This episode highlights how communication quality often improves following an STI diagnosis and explores the importance of integrating this into interventions for those dating someone with an STI. Zach delves into the dynamics of kink/BDSM negotiations post-diagnosis and compares his experiences with chlamydia and herpes, offering insights into the challenges and nuances of living with an STI. Join us for an honest and informative discussion that sheds light on the complexities of sexual health and relationships.

In Episode 262 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, Elle, a 35-year-old mother, sex worker, and educator, shares her experiences with chlamydia, HPV, and oral HSV. She discusses the biases health care providers may have when dealing with individuals comfortable talking about sex. Drawing a powerful analogy between sports and sex, Elle highlights the lack of proper preparation for both activities. While football players are only advised to wear helmets, and sexual participants are simply told to wear condoms, the potential risks are often not fully explored. Elle eloquently reinforces SPFPP's message that "Sexual health is mental health" and emphasizes the need for better resources to help patients navigate STIs both in and out of the doctor's office.

In Episode 261 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, we explore how sex education often fails to teach youth essential skills like boundary setting, consent, and vetting practices. Jade highlights the need to uncouple pleasure from sex and intercourse to fully understand sexuality. She emphasizes that comprehensive sex education can help us become better patients, improving interactions with health care providers. Jade also shares her experience with antistigmatizing health care and how it, combined with coaching and sex positivity, has positively impacted her dating life after her chlamydia diagnosis.

In Episode 260 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, Tori, freshly 29 years old, shares her journey through revisiting Planned Parenthood four times to finally receive a herpes diagnosis. She discusses the grief of her old self and how this process can be integrated into our sex avoidant society. Tori emphasizes that the barrier to effective sexual health conversations is the lack of receiving and learning from the experiences of those with an STI. This communication is crucial for prevention efforts and offers a more sex-positive approach beyond the simplistic "use a condom" advice.

In Episode 259 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, Ashley (She/Her) shares her journey testing positive for chlamydia, HPV, and HSV1 and 2. This conversation highlights that sex positivity is essentially pleasure positivity, emphasizing acceptance of one's own needs and decisions. Ashley discusses how, despite her efforts to educate herself and her providers about HSV, institutions should partner with social media educators to improve the efficiency of sexual health messaging. Join us to explore the intersection of sex positivity and pleasure positivity in this insightful episode.

In Episode 257 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, Zia, a 22-year-old diagnosed with genital herpes during the pandemic, explores how her neutral experience with healthcare providers and Planned Parenthood led her to embrace sex positivity. Our discussion highlights the shortcomings of her sex education, which focused on symptoms and testing rather than communication, frequency of testing, and the broader aspects of sexuality. Zia's story underscores the need for comprehensive sex education that separates intercourse from sex, sex from sexuality, and pleasure from sex to better prepare youth for their sexual experiences. Check out her thesis on herpes for more insights.

In Episode 256 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, Dr. Evelin Molina-Dacker joins us to affirm the importance of pleasure positivity in sex education. We explore how healthcare providers' discomfort with discussing sex impacts patient care and the necessity of integrating sexuality and pleasure into medical practice. By learning to take a comprehensive sexual history, we can improve treatment outcomes for patients facing STIs or partners with STIs. It's time to advocate for not just sex-positive but also pleasure-positive healthcare. Connect with Dr. Evelin Molina-Dacker on Instagram @sexmeddoc and visit her website at maketimeforthetalk.com.

In Episode 255 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, Erin, a 32-year-old cis-gendered heterosexual female, shares her journey with an HSV-2 diagnosis and how it led her to seek sex-positive communication resources. Through her experiences, we learn that sex-positivity involves more than just sexual interactions; it’s about fostering a healthy relationship with oneself. This episode highlights the importance of self-communication as an anti-stigmatizing approach to relationships. Discover how transitioning into sex-positivity can offer valuable lessons often learned through trial and error.

In Episode 254 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, Peyton, a 27-year-old monogamous female involved in kink/BDSM and sex-positivity, shares her experiences with chlamydia, HSV-2, and trichomoniasis. Highlighting the importance of disclosure education, Peyton discusses how comprehensive sex education that includes non-sexual aspects of relationships, abuse navigation, boundaries, and conversations about sex could have significantly altered her relationship trajectory. This episode emphasizes the role of sex-positive communities in destigmatizing STIs and promoting open, informed conversations.

In Episode 253 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, Marc, a 31-year-old heterosexual male, shares his journey of being diagnosed with HSV-1 orally and genitally after a one-night stand. As a beginner in the Kink/BDSM community who identifies as sex-positive, Marc discusses the road to embracing sex-positivity through support groups, trial and error in disclosure scenarios, and learning the essential non-sexual components of sexual communication. This episode highlights the importance of education and preparation before navigating sexual relationships.

In Episode 252 of the OHA Series on Something Positive for Positive People, we delve into the journey of people diagnosed with STIs and the lack of useful resources from healthcare providers. Highlighting the disconnect between standard prevention methods and real-life lessons, this episode explores how improved communication and self-education can lead to better STI prevention. Through personal stories and experiences, we uncover the importance of integrating these lessons into existing CDC recommendations to create a more effective approach to sexual health and STI prevention.

In Episode 251 of Something Positive for Positive People, host Courtney Brame draws inspiration from Sean Carter's lyrics, emphasizing the need to set boundaries and live authentically. Courtney shares his journey of transitioning SPFPP into a business with clear boundaries, highlighting the impact of social media on identity and the importance of fostering a respectful community. He reflects on his experiences, the positive shift in his social media interactions, and the ongoing changes within himself and the SPFPP space. For inquiries, contact Courtney directly at Courtney@spfpp.org.

In Episode 250 of Something Positive for Positive People, Kevin shares his journey of connection and vulnerability, emphasizing the power of living authentically without labels. Before his herpes diagnosis, Kevin was sexually active with men, but his diagnosis brought about a significant shift in his interactions. What stands out in this episode is Kevin's approach to identity—he lets his existence speak for itself, avoiding the need for labels or explanations. Join us as we explore how embracing one's true self can minimize the need for explanations and foster deeper connections.

In Episode 249 of Something Positive for Positive People, we emphasize the critical importance of donations in sustaining our mission to support individuals navigating herpes stigma. This episode highlights how contributions enable us to offer support groups, restorative yoga sessions, and educational resources, all aimed at challenging misconceptions and promoting stigma-free sex education and STD prevention. Tune in to learn how your support makes a significant impact in creating a more informed and compassionate community.

In Episode 248 of Something Positive for Positive People, I reflect on the need to put my ego aside and start running SPFPP like a business. Recognizing the impact we've had and comparing it to other organizations, I realize the importance of making transformative changes for the betterment of myself and our community. This episode delves into how these changes will challenge us all to remove obstacles and live the lives we choose. Tune in to learn more about the new direction of SPFPP and its positive impact on the community.

In Episode 247 of Something Positive for Positive People, Tricia, the founder of Safe Slut, joins us to share how her herpes diagnosis became a catalyst for empowerment. We explore how leaning into insecurities around sex, sexuality, and sluttiness helped her inspire tens of thousands of women. Our in-person recording session delves into the importance of platonic friendships, the prevalence of herpes in the porn industry, and Tricia's recent experiences with OnlyFans. Tune in for an insightful conversation filled with positive energy and transformative insights. Find more details and support Safe Slut through the links in our show notes. Stay Slutty!

In Episode 248 of Something Positive for Positive People, we explore the transformative power of the sex-positive community with Jamie Cawelti, Executive Director of SexPositive World. Jamie shares how this space helps individuals living with herpes navigate their lives by identifying their needs, practicing consent, and building healthy relationships. We delve into the importance of self-reflection, setting boundaries, and seeking support within a supportive community. This episode is a warm introduction to the benefits of sex positivity, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to improve their overall quality of life. Connect with Jamie and explore the resources mentioned at www.sexpositiveworld.org and www.givenconsent.com.

In Episode 245 of Something Positive for Positive People, I share my experience with sex-positive STI testing at Pivot Health in Portland, Oregon. Join me as I get tested for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and hepatitis C (I recently tested for syphilis). This episode provides insights into the testing process and emphasizes the importance of regular STI testing. Tune in to learn more about maintaining sexual health and the supportive, non-judgmental approach of Pivot Health.

In Episode 244 of Something Positive for Positive People, I dive deep into the creation of my online persona, Honmychest, drawing parallels with Tony Stark's Iron Man journey. This episode explores how Honmychest served as my suit of armor against herpes stigma, helping me cope and navigate life. Listen to understand the significance of the "H" in Honmychest, representing hero, and how I'm now focusing on being my true self. Join me in this reflective and inspiring episode as I transition from relying on my persona to embracing my real identity.