IN THE MEDIA
Learn more about all things herpes stigma from media coverage Courtney Brame, of Something Positive for Positive People has been part of
Black Representation and Herpes
Black Health Matters
Sexual education efforts targeted at Black men rarely offer advice beyond the same three words: “wear a condom.” Courtney Brame received an education after he got a positive herpes diagnosis. But there was little Black representation in the faces he turned to for answers. So, Brame founded the non-profit Something Positive For Positive People (SPFPP) so that other Black men could learn more about herpes and how to behave responsibly with them from someone who looks like them.
TWO ways people with herpes reject themselves
Pornhub sexual wellness center
Rejection is something that I’m all too familiar with. By definition, rejection is refusal to accept something from someone, which can be boiled down to someone just saying “no.”
That word “no” can often have so much power and influence over someone that we can structure how we navigate the subject that could bring about that response to a request we have. In many ways, one result of navigating around a “no” in fear of being rejected would be that you do manage to avoid HEARING the word “no” from someone else—but then, we internalize the possibility of that reality and structure an entirely new reality based on something we don’t want. When it comes to self-rejection for people with herpes, it can affect people in two particular categories: Those in unhealthy relationships, and those that are single.
what is it like to have herpes?
goodrx
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Symptoms include painful blisters around or on the genitals or anus. There isn’t a cure for herpes. But outbreaks typically happen less frequently over time. Because genital herpes is an STI, it often carries a social stigma. That can make someone with herpes hesitant to date. Still, many people with herpes find support and encouragement in online communities and lead healthy, productive lives.
Safety in Intimacy and holding space for men
Sensory playspace
What's it like to take up space beyond the stigmas of herpes? We had a chat with Courtney Brame (he/him) from the non profit organization, Something Positive for Positive People, a support resource for people navigating herpes stigma.
In this episode we talked about:
• HSV and managing outbreaks through yoga + yoga therapy
• Taking up space and managing stereotypes and expectations as a straight, Black Man in the wellness community
• The responsibility of holding cultural reverence, carrying this responsibility as a person of color, and being . . .
Episode 33: Courtney Brame of SPPFP.org Challenges Herpes Stigma
BONUS Episode
Story time with the intimacy ally
Hello my lovelies! Meet Courtney Brame! He is the creator of Something Positive for Positive People. I think it is an incredibly noble and creative solution to the herpes stigma many people are dealing with out here in the world. He has a virtual conference happening on Thursday, May 23, 2024 and so I had to get on it to get this episode out! I hope you will appreciate his candor, his wealth of information, and his inspiring message as much as I do. Here are helpful links to reach Courtney, explore his non-profit, or to learn more about herpes stigma and how to find community or help.
EP 387: Deserving love: navigating dating with an sti
Sexology podcast with dr. moali
As founder of Something Positive for Positive People, Courtney combines his expertise as a 500-hour registered yoga teacher with his passion for destigmatizing herpes. Through SPFPP, he offers restorative yoga and meditation in support groups, enhancing holistic well-being for those living with herpes. As the host of the SPFPP podcast, Courtney shares inspiring stories of individuals navigating herpes stigma. He extends his advocacy to sexual health education and STD prevention, promoting stigma-free communication among healthcare providers and organizations.
Breaking the Stigma & Empowering Men with Herpes with Courtney Brame
Raw, Real & Vulnerable with Bek Antonucci
Living with Herpes as a man - let’s talk about it. A lot of men will say to me, "I know that you speak to women on the internet, but I resonate with so much of what you say. Are there any men out there speaking up for us?" On Raw, Real & Vulnerable this week I have an incredible guest joining us named Courtney Brame. Courtney is the founder of the non-profit 'Something Positive For Positive People,' which is an organization that supports individuals living with herpes using HOLISTIC approaches. His mission is to provide STIGMA-FREE communication skills and other resources to sexual health service providers.
Sexual Health When you’re positive with courtney brame
Making polyamory work
Libby invites Courtney Brame of Something Positive for Positive People to discuss herpes, stigma, and sexual health.
Navigating Non-monogamy with Herpes
Sex and Cannabis Podcast
What happens when you have a positive herpes test? Does it mean your sex life is over? How can you continue enjoying a non-monogamous lifestyle? Join Ashley Manta from CannaSexual, together with Courtney Brame, founder of Something Positive for Positive People, the passionate powerhouse behind a non-profit organization whose mission is to break down herpes stigma by spreading credible information.
A Heart to heart conversation with courtney brame of something positive for positive people
Sisters of sexuality podcast
Does herpes have a bigger stigma than other STI’s? Why does herpes have such a stigma in the Black community? Join me for this insightful sexual health conversations with Courtney Brame, founder of Something Positive for Positive People
Five Things To Ask Yourself Before Dating Someone With Herpes
PORNHUB
Discordant relationships in the herpes community are common. According to the 2021 HSV survey conducted by Something Positive for Positive People, a 501c3 non profit dedicated to connecting people navigating herpes stigma to support resources, 62% of people living with HSV had at least one non-positive partner consent to sex without barriers after disclosing their herpes diagnosis to them.
Courtney Brame Finds the Positive in Herpes
AGELUST
Why talk about herpes in a show about aging? Because it’s so common! You DEFINITELY know someone with a cold sore, if that someone isn't you. According to the WHO “An estimated 3.7 billion people under age 50 (67%) globally have herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, the main cause of oral herpes.” Then, what does this mean for those of us already in our 50s and beyond, those understanding their Agelust through expanding their experience, maybe divorce, or dating? The question is how can we even reframe herpes as a gift, one not offered or asked for, but rather one that helps to bring one closer to one's body, to their nervous system. With this 'gift', Courtney Brame has taken it and turned it into a positive impact on the world.
how i told my partner that i have an sti
Allure magazine
Whether you’re engaging in sex with a long-term or casual partner, disclosure is essential if you have an STI. In fact, it is a vital part of consent. It can be simple: “By the way, I have herpes,” or maybe, “Just so you know, I was recently diagnosed with an STI.” Unfortunately, our culture makes this far more difficult than it needs to be.
Tired of ‘dead end’ approach, herpes patients mobilize to demand government action
Stat News
Courtney Brame, a herpes (education) advocate who runs a popular Instagram page and podcast called Something Positive for Positive People, has conducted surveys of herpes patients and told officials that the guidance they receive upon diagnosis is essential. “Oftentimes the way that they received their diagnosis from the healthcare provider influences not only how they go on to disclose to future partners, but if they even go on to disclose to future partners,” he said, calling for more resources in high school or college education.
To Patients, Herpes Can Be Devastating. To Many Doctors, It’s Not a Priority
The New York Times
When Lauren went to her doctors with stinging clusters of sores on her genitals, she assumed the pain was from a urinary tract infection. But at the OB-GYN, her doctor swabbed the bumps and told her that the rash was herpes. “No,” she remembered responding. “It’s not.”
How Do I Tell Someone I’m Interested In That I Have Herpes?
Pornhub Sexual Wellness
As mentioned in my previous article, How To Tell A Partner About Your Herpes Status, we want to start with understanding how we’re feeling about it ourselves. We know what that process looks like, and we also know that disclosing our herpes status is a small part of a much larger conversation which is also mentioned in the previous article on how to disclose your herpes status to a partner.
When Is The Best Time For Me To Discuss My Herpes Status With A Partner?
Pornhub Sexual Wellness
When people ask me a question related to disclosing their herpes status to a partner, they typically want to know if they should tell them over text, over the phone, or in person. I find myself unable to answer this question directly without any context of the person or the relationship dynamic, so what I’ll offer here are some reflections to make along with a framework for talking about more than just “I have herpes”.
How Do I Respond When Someone TellS Me They Have Herpes?
Pornhub Sexual Wellness
First, I’d like to acknowledge you for being the kind of person who someone wants to share this personal information and trusts enough to share this with. Let’s give you applause for being not only attractive to someone but also cool enough to share intimate, personal stories and experiences with. You rock!
Five Sex-Positive Instagram Accounts that are changing the game
Ebony
Emphasizing the importance of safe sex, Courtney Brame works to dispel narratives surrounding STIs and how to live a fruitful life with an unexpected diagnosis.
Who Bears the Brunt of STI Stigma?
GIDDY
"People who test positive for chronic STIs bear the brunt of STI stigma," said Courtney Brame, the founder and executive director of Something Positive for Positive People, an STI harm reduction and resource platform based in St. Louis. "People's identities are often very much interconnected with their sexuality."
Swingers Health Vol 3. Herpes (HSV) Diagnosis + Disclosure
Wanderlust Swingers Podcast
Swinging Lifestyle + Hotwife Lifestyle Podcast - Wanderlust Swingers Podcast Swingers Health Vol 3 It is estimated that 4 billion 191 million people have some form of herpes (67% have HSV1 and 13% have HSV2). This is a very common STi, it is not curable but is treatable.Herpes HSV Diagnosis Courtney is HSV positive, operates a not for profit ''SPFPP'' and is nonmonogamous. We use Courtney's personal experience being diagnosed with HSV and the impact this had on his personal life, sex life and nonmonogamous journey. We talk about transmission rates, the increase in HSV1 and how it could impact your non monogamous relationships. Herpes HSV Disclosure in the Swingers Lifestyle We are all aware of the risks of entering the swingers lifestyle and sexually transmitted infections & diseases are a real part of our lifestyle choices. In this second segment we talk about how you can disclose your status in the swingers lifestyle and how you could be better at receiving that information. Let's break the stigma and taboo together.
Challenging Herpes Stigma For Black Men
Doing It! With Hannah Witton
In this episode, Hannah is joined by Courtney Brame, who is the founder of Something Positive for Positive People, a non profit organization that serves as a self-help resource for people with herpes. Courtney discusses why sexual health is mental health, and the need for people with positive STI diagnoses to receive therapy. He and Hannah talk about why there are so few spokespeople amongst Black men with herpes, the need to have more diverse voices in sexual health, and what identity-validating healthcare looks like. Finally, Courtney gives some advice about approaching disclosure and dating as someone herpes positive, and shares why he wants healthcare professionals to be more educated and forthcoming when discussing the impact of positive STI statuses on sexuality.
What sex and intimacy look like with Herpes
Sensuelle Podcast: Ep 27 Part 1
Ari interviews Sex Educator and STI testing & minimization activist, Courtney Brame (he/him). Courtney advocates for sex-positive, identity-affirming, stigma-reducing Sex Ed on his platform/podcast, “Something Positive for Positive People”. Courtney shares how he remained sex-positive and empowered after testing positive for Herpes in 2013. Courtney and Ari chat about changing the conversation from “How many partners have you had?” to “When was your last STI test?”, prioritizing sexual safety and communication in relationships, and Courtney’s larger mission of harm-reduction through judgment-free sex education for healthcare providers and those diagnosed “positive” with an STI.
Destigmatizing Herpes
Passion with Dr. Laurie Betito: Ep 75
Dr. Laurie discusses "Destigmatizing Herpes" w/ Courtney Brame. You'll also hear answers to listener-submitted questions, and get Dr. Laurie's take on "Sex in the News".
Meet COURTNEY BRAME: the creator behind the podcast that saves people’s lives
It took Courtney Brame four years after his herpes simplex virus type 2, or HSV-2, diagnosis to begin seeking out information about his positive status. An invasive Google search led him to multiple support groups, mostly private, filled with members shame-ridden by their diagnosis. It was there that he noticed how hard it was for so many to handle the stigma of the virus, some pushed to the point of suicidal thoughts. So, he did what any normal person would do. He started a podcast.
Breaking Down STI Stigma with Dr. Ina Park
Coming Together for Sexual Health Podcast: S3 Ep 7
Trigger Warning: This episode mentions suicide and suicidal ideation. Courtney Brame, the founder of Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP), sits down with guest host Dr. Ina Park to discuss the ongoing need to foster spaces that destigmatize STI diagnoses. In the ninth year of his herpes (HSV-2) diagnosis, Courtney speaks on navigating life with the virus and what drove him to connect with people struggling with mental health issues as a result of their herpes status. What started as informally providing solidarity to those living with herpes, quickly became a podcast and platform for sharing the experiences of those battling societal stigma and self-shaming, creating pathways to disclosing their status and tools that can make waiting for a vaccine more manageable.
Why Is Genital Herpes Still So Stigmatized?
Buzzfeed News
Genital herpes is one of the most common STIs out there, yet the stigma still harms those living with it. These influencers are trying to change that. There’s no hiding the fact that genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection, carries a stigma. While treatable, it's incurable, and many people feel ashamed, isolated, or depressed after a diagnosis. But it’s 2022. There’s no reason to hide behind closed doors just because you have a health condition shared by half a billion people — about 16% of all adults — worldwide.
How does a herpes diagnosis impact mental health?
Tabu Presents: Asking for Myself PodcasT
Welcome back to Asking for Myself, where I ask all the questions you're too afraid to. Today we’re talking all things herpes and mental health. In this episode, I am joined by Courtney Brame, the Founder and Podcast Host of Something Positive for Positive People. This conversation is as much about herpes as it is about mental health and compassion. That being said, we do discuss suicide. If that is something you are sensitive to our triggered by, please proceed with caution. . .
Courtney and Jordan Go To a Sex Club
Vaginas, Vulvas, and Vibrators
If you have been curious about sex clubs then this episode is for you. Courtney and I head to a local sex club and share some wisdom with you about what to expect, setting intentions, consent, boundaries, safety, and more.
Living with Herpes
+ Fighting Stigma
Sexualchemy Podcast
Today on the show, Áine is joined by the founder, executive director, and podcast host of Something Positive for Positive People, Courtney Brame! After seeing people struggle with suicide ideation following a herpes diagnosis, Courtney set out to alleviate their suffering by offering the stories of those navigating a diagnosis in their own way, creating a roadmap through stigma. What began as suicide prevention for people with herpes has become an overall platform to support people's communication around sexual health in a way that challenges stigma. Today, they chat about breaking down the stigma around STIs, where our public sex education is failing us and our kids, and how our self-identity as a whole ties into stigma.
Destigmatizing Herpes
Sex Ed with DB
In this episode, DB chats with Courtney Brame, the Founder, ED, and Host of Something Positive for Positive People, a podcast and nonprofit organization that connects people navigating herpes stigma to support resources. They discuss herpes and STI stigma, how stigma impacts mental health, and Courtney’s work at the intersection of sexual and mental health. Content warning: suicide.
How to Disclose Your STI When Online Dating
Bumble
An upside of texting about sexual health is that it gives both of you the freedom to react to the conversation in private—and them the ability to do their research before responding. When you talk about your status via text, “you offer the person you’re disclosing to the safety of space,” says Courtney Brame, the founder of Something Positive for Positive People, a mental health nonprofit. “They can have their visceral response, think about how they want to respond, and do so objectively without any internalized stigma being projected onto you.”
9 Tips for Coping with a Positive STI Diagnosis
PsychCentral
Sex positivity, including sex-positive content, can be incredibly healing, especially for folks who live with STIs. When STI and mental health nonprofit organization Something Positive for Positive People asked its audience how their podcast has helped them, they reported an increase in education, self-acceptance, and a sense of community support.
Let’s Talk About Positive People
Sex and Self PodcasT
Today we have Courtney, host of Something Positive, discussing not only diagnoses that involve STIs but the much larger culture of stigma. A stigma that harms everyone whether queer and black or white and heterosexual. If you'd like to hear more from Courtney make sure to check out their podcast Something Positive for Positive People wherever you listen.
Something Positive with Courtney Brame
Sluts and Scholars: Ep 195
Challenging the status quo of the media, medical field, and internal belief systems about the identities of those living with a sexually transmitted infection, Courtney and his organization Something Positive for Positive People are bringing awareness to the interconnectedness of mental health and sexual health. We talk about herpes and other STIs, how to negotiate sexual play, and how to deal with shame and stigma.
Herpes and Relationships
They Talk Sex
Facts, FAQs, and communication about a common virus that many of us live with, with herpes educator and suicide-prevention organizer Courtney Brame.
Chlamydia with Courtney
Positively Positive Podcast: EP 2.4
Mr. Courtney Brame of the Something Positive for Positive People charity and podcast takes a hosting break to join me for a discussion about his own experiences, ethical nonmonogamy, Lil Wayne, boundaries, how to get Top 5 group chat status (listen up, fellas!) and the most popular reportable STI in North America - let's talk about chlamydia baby!
Dating with Herpes: Stigma, Disclosure, Healing
Sex with Dr Jess: Ep 198
Courtney Brame founded Something Positive for Positive People after his herpes diagnosis and through his non-profit and podcast, he shares real stories and resources for people with positive STI diagnoses. He joins us to discuss shame, stigma, dating, suicide prevention, and more including How he navigated the dating world post-diagnosis, how people respond when he shares his positive status, how to disclose to a new partner, how herpes serves as a compass for the body and self-care, the costs of herpes jokes, how we can reduce the shame and stigma, and how to build a support system after a diagnosis.
The Herpes 411
Owning Your Sexual Self: EP 58
Today I am joined with Courtney Brame Founder & Podcast Host. Regarding STIs in general they are not something that happens overnight and the next day you'll see something occurring, STIs evolve. Most STIs don't show symptoms/signs right away. Genital herpes typically lives at the base of the spine, the virus lives in the nerves and then presents itself on the skin.
The Healthcare Hustle
Tune in to Nygel and Winston's conversation with Courtney Brame, founder and Executive Director of Something Positive for Positive People. The three discuss Courtney's journey as an individual living with Herpes, his entrepreneurship and advocacy for Sexually Transmitted Infection awareness/prevention, and his vision for a healthier community.
Life After A
Positive Diagnosis
Vaginas, Vulvas and Vibrators
We talk about dating and sex after a diagnosis, disclosing your STI status, and more. Listen to the tenth episode in our series about infections of the genital tract to learn more.
Men, Sex & Pleasure
with Cam Fraser
As a nonprofit, SPFPP raises money to pay for people who are struggling with HSV stigma to receive therapy. After his diagnosis in 2012, Courtney navigated the world identifying heavily with his diagnosis unconsciously as you'll hear more about in this episode. After finding a community, all of his problems with dating and disclosure appeared to disappear. However, this made space for underlying concerns herpes had exposed.
1 was how many people despite having community and a space for finding love regardless of their HSV status wanted to end their lives. 2 was how true to himself he was able to be with these strangers who had one thing in common (knowing about his HSV status) versus how hidden he was with people who'd known him most of his life who did not know about his herpes status. We talk about living with herpes, from contracting the virus and receiving a diagnosis to managing it, how it affects your masculinity, and ultimately discussing it with and disclosing it to a partner.
STI Stigma: How We’re Taught to be Ashamed Instead of Educated
Today.com
We've become a lot more comfortable with uncomfortable conversations — topics like politics, mental health, or even sexuality were once deemed taboo — but still draw a hard line when it comes to sexually transmitted infections. The question is: why? While we seem to be living in an increasingly sex-positive society, we still have a hard time digesting the topic. STIs, like herpes and chlamydia, have come to function as punchlines or ways to diminish someone’s worth. They are so stigmatized that creating a conversation often causes the discourse to end before it truly begins.
Interview with Courtney Brame
Bad Medicine Podcast: Ep 21
In this episode, we are joined by Courtney Brame to talk about how he has harnessed his energy to improve the mental health for people living with genital herpes and other sexually transmitted infections. He shares with us his history.
How COVID-19 can normalize our understanding of herpes
“I wandered my own herpes diagnosis for four to five years with no support and I didn’t realize how good I was handling it until I saw how bad others were handling it,” said Brame. “I’ve lost count of how many times others have expressed to me that they’ve wanted to end their own lives because they have herpes. I decided maybe these people just need to hear from someone who is having an average experience with this virus.”
What’s it Like to be a Black Man Living with Herpes?
Let’s Talk Bruh Podcast
Someone you should know: Courtney Brame. He's the founder of the platform Something Positive for Positive People. He's also open about his experience living with Herpes. So we dive in and talk about why herpes is still the butt of all the jokes, what he felt after receiving his diagnosis, and the work he does to remove the stigma around STIs. Tune in now!
Revolutionary of the Year: Courtney Brame
What’s Your Revolution?
The Revolutionary of the Year — Courtney Brame joins the show. We honor him for his work to dispel the myths surrounding those who have been diagnosed with Herpes. His organization and podcast, Something Positive for Positive People work to help people diagnosed with HSV 1 or 2 navigate the stigma that the world places on people. Courtney is the best of us. He is selfless and works tirelessly to correct the narrative. He notes that his diagnosis was a watershed moment in his life. It taught him to slow down and revealed that his trauma was far greater than his diagnosis and that it was time to go to work. This show is a must-listen.
Herpes: Stop the STIgma
This Podcast Will Kill You: Ep 57
The harm caused by herpes simplex viruses (HSV) 1 & 2 often arises not from the pathology of the viruses themselves but rather from the stigma and shame associated with a positive diagnosis. In this episode, we attempt to lay a clear foundation for understanding not only how these viruses work but also what occurred to change the perception of them from “innocuous infection” to “dreaded disease”. Starting us off with his firsthand account is the incredible Courtney Brame, founder and host of Something Positive for Positive People, a non-profit organization and podcast that aims to provide community support, healing resources, and educational discussions around positive HSV and other STI diagnoses as well as larger issues in sexuality and physical and mental health.
Herpes, health, and stigma
Six Minute Sex Ed Podcast: Ep 58
This week’s episode is level two, making it perfect for tweens, teens, and adults. This is a special episode where I interview Courtney Brame, Founder of Something Positive for Positive People, a podcast and nonprofit organization fighting STI stigma.
How Do Men Process an STI Diagnosis?
Laureen HD
Courtney Brame, founder of the suicide prevention podcast Something Positive for Positive People shares how he went about dealing with his genital herpes diagnosis; what his expectations were around opening up publicly about it, and what *actually* ended up happening.
Mental Health After Diagnosis
& Men Practicing Self-Love
Laureen HD
It's mental health awareness week, and since I don't hear a lot of self-love talk coming from men I asked Courtney Brame, founder of Something Positive for Positive People, if/how he practices it and how overall he looks after his mental health. We talk about boundaries, needs, and purpose.
Living, Loving & Thriving with Herpes
Elevated Intimacy Podcast: Ep 18
Ashley welcomes back Courtney Brame to break down and debunk the myths and stigmas that exist around living with HSV-1 or HSV-2 (herpes). They discuss living with herpes, overcoming shame and living positively while positive.
STI’s and STD’s: Removing Shame and Stigma
SDC Podcast with Lexi Sylver
Why is talking about our sexual health such a taboo topic? How can we overcome feelings of shame and negative stigma surrounding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)? Our host Lexi Sylver invites Courtney Brame, the founder of Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP), for an open and personal discussion about sexual health. Courtney shares his personal experience receiving a positive herpes diagnosis and why he was inspired to start his podcast to discuss others’ stories about their positive diagnoses. He explains how having an STI or an STD doesn’t mean the end of your sex life.
The Intersection of Sex, Herpes, Identity,
& Vulnerability
Living Brave Podcast: EP 20
Courtney Brame is the Founder of Something Positive for Positive People a podcast and non-profit that started as a suicide prevention resource for people navigating a herpes diagnosis. It's evolved to offer resources and facilitate emotional healing.
Something Positive WITH COURTNEY BRAME
Sex with Timaree Podcast
Dr. Timaree’s guest in quarantine is Courtney Brame, the Founder and Podcast Host of Something Positive for Positive People. It’s a podcast that started as a suicide prevention resource for people navigating a herpes diagnosis. Now it’s a sex-positive nonprofit organization that helps connect people navigating stigma heal through the experiences of people with similar experiences.
Something Positive with Courtney Brame
Just Keep Swinging Podcast: Ep 38
This is a rare one! We shared interviews with Courtney Brame from the Podcast & Non-Profit Something Positive for Positive People — a resource for fighting stigma and shame, while finding community & emotional healing for people living with Herpes & other STIs. We heard about him from a Normalizing Non Monogamy Podcast resource suggestion and just had to reach out once we heard his show. Since then, his episode on their show has also been published so check it out there as one of their Focus Friday episodes.
Combating STI Stigma
Good Men Project
Good Men Project: What happens to a person emotionally, socially, and maybe psychologically when they are open about having a positive diagnosis for herpes?
Courtney Brame: Emotionally, I think a person’s identity becomes challenged based on what they believed about herpes prior to their diagnosis. For many of us, our identities are so intertwined with our sexuality that an STI diagnosis “damages” our sexuality thus damaging who we are. From a social perspective, I think many either don’t know who we are anymore or we choose to isolate to protect others.
How Do I Disclose?
O.School
Disclosing that you have an STI is not an easy task. Even though the prevalence of STIs is high — one in two sexually active people will contract an STI before age 25 — all STIs are curable, treatable, or manageable. However, society still shames and stigmatizes us if we get a positive diagnosis. That’s why it can be especially difficult to tell our partner(s) when we’ve contracted something. Disclosure can be a vulnerable experience, especially when it comes to sex and dating. But, ultimately, everyone deserves a fulfilling and pleasurable sex life with compassionate, respectful partners regardless of STI status.
IS Texting Back Too Fast The Reason You’re Single?
Betches
Anyway, my loyal, highly-educated followers have thoughts. “The game of ‘hard to get’ is all about the psychology of wanting to be wanted. In today’s world, when you’re not texting back ASAP, and we all live on our phones, you’re really going out of your way to try to want to feel desired,” said Rob Cutrone, entrepreneur and owner of my favorite coffee shop… and this is why I give him my business 5x/week. “It’s not cool to try and look cool by actively just trying not to text back quickly. Communication is sexy,” responded Courtney Brame, founder of “the STD podcast” Something Positive For Positive People. One rando thinks “playing the ‘not texting back too fast to not seem too thirsty’ game is so tedious.” CHEERS. Another told me, “you seem very happy you don’t need a boyfriend.” Guess I’ll start posting sad selfies, and then maybe my knight in shining armor will finally come to the rescue.
Dating With Herpes +
Educating Our Communities
Madame Noire
Herpes has a far-reaching stigma in our communities, which is absurd considering 48% of Black women have it, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. That’s 1 out of 2 of us. Our numbers are higher than our Black male counterparts because it’s anatomically easier for women to receive it from men than for women to give it to men. So if so many of us are living with herpes, why is the conversation surrounding the genital skin condition so uninformed? The dearth of education could be rooted in the fact that people aren’t tested for it. When you go to the doctor to get your normal check-up, doctors will not screen you for herpes unless you have symptoms or demand it. Not to mention, it’s asymptomatic, meaning it can spread whether you have symptoms or not.
As STD rates increase, one St. Louisan wants to end the stigma
St. Louis Magazine
“We all know a person who is living with an STI or STD, and we live in a time where we can manage whatever condition we are living with,” Brame says. That's why he's currently raising money to attend STD Engage in Alexandria, Virginia, where health professionals and community-based partners and allies meet to discuss state and local STD prevention. His hope is that he can encourage others to get involved in positive sex education and conversations locally.
“There’s no cure for herpes,” Brame says, “but there is a healing process, and if you're strong enough to allow yourself to work through it, reach out to your support system and begin to foster a community around you, I think it makes it a lot easier to stay positive through your diagnosis.”
5 Sex-Positive Advocates Who Are Fighting Against The Stigma Around STI’s
St. Louis Magazine
Courtney Brame is all about spreading positivity when it comes to living with an STI — and he does so through his podcast, Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP). He started it after he was diagnosed with herpes and covers all kinds of topics to help others with herpes, as well as other STIs. “It’s a place that allows people to get experience-based information about STIs and what living with them is like,” Brame tells Bustle. The podcast episodes cover a wide variety of topics, from a therapist doing a mock therapy session with Brame in light of an STI diagnosis to someone with herpes discussing how she dates, post-diagnosis.
Sex & Dating With Herpes
Sex With Dr. Jess: Ep 95
Sex is stigmatized and so all potentially negative outcomes of sex are intensely stigmatized. The unnecessary suffering that sometimes accompanies herpes is ultimately because of the stigma — not the virus itself. Herpes seems to hold a special stigma that is not proportionate to its health risk. In terms of health, most people with herpes have nothing to worry about. Outbreaks are often rare, decrease with time, and can be relived and surpassed with antiviral medication. You do want to take precautions when having sex (herpes can increase the risk of HIV transmission and be a risk when pregnant), but overall, it need not have a significant impact on your (sex) life since we all should be practicing safer sex.
STL Magazine
The chills shook Courtney Brame awake. Then the sick heat of fever registered. How could he be so cold and so hot at the same time? His mom drove him to urgent care. “They said, ‘This is what you have. This is what it looks like.’ Then they gave me medicine and a pamphlet and just sent me on my way.” Courtney Brame went public, for everybody's sake. Back home, still feverish but shot through with the adrenaline of bad news, he Googled and of course “the worst came up first.” After a lot of compulsive clicking and scanning, though, the advice settled into common sense: Take care of your physical health, work out, and keep your immune system strong.
Shaking STI Stigma
SEX-POSITIVE Families: Ep 012
I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on a podcast called Something Positive for Positive People hosted by Courtney Brame. His podcast offers a safe space for people living with or affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like herpes and HIV to share their experiences as a way to shake the shame and stigma that exists around these diagnoses.
That Sex Nerd Chick
Tori chats with Courtney Brame, founder of Something Positive for Positive People, a hub if sex positive resources. Starting in 2017 as a podcast featuring interviews from people living with herpes and HIV about their experience, it has evolved into uplifting organizations that provide sexual health resources, sex therapists and dating/relationship experts.
Life With Herpes: Episode 83
In this video, Alexandra Harbushka from Life With Herpes and Courtney Brame from Something Positive talk about what it's like to be diagnosed with herpes and what it's like to live with herpes. Courtney's created Something Positive for people who've received a positive life-altering test result.
About Sex Podcast
Courtney Brame is the Founder and Podcast Host of Something Positive for Positive People, a podcast that started as a suicide prevention resource for people navigating a herpes diagnosis. Now it's a sex-positive nonprofit organization that helps connect people navigating stigma heal through the experiences of people with similar experiences.
Living with Herpes
& HOW TO DISCLOSE
Ignite Intimacy: Episode 81
Courtney Brame was diagnosed with Herpes over 7 years ago. Instead of letting it get him down he chose to create a platform for people living with positive STI results to share their stories as a way to support and empower themselves and others.
Living With an STD
James Strong Show Podcast: EP 59
Brame speaks candidly about his experiences and how, through his podcast, helps others deal with the emotional pains of having an STD.