Straight kids often are told: "wait until you're married to have sex--that's the only way to be sure that you won't get a sexually transmitted disease." Of course, from a strictly public health standpoint, that's true. After all, two virgins aren't going to give each other any STDs! As we gain equal marriage rights across the nation and world, "waiting until you're married" will be an option for gay teens too.
For the first time in history, Civil Marriage is an option for some Gay people living in the United States. Marriage is now legal in Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Maryland and New York recognize out of state gay marriages. Civil Unions or other domestic partner benefit laws are present in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, Nevada, and Maine. We hope that it's just a matter of time before all Gay people in the United States will have the option to obtain a Civil Marriage, or at least a Civil Union, if they so choose.
Just as with straight couples, some marriages are monogamous and some are "open", and some, unfortunately, are supposed to be monogamous, but one or both partners may be secretly cheating.
Besides the obvious emotional problems that "cheating" in a monogamous relationships can cause, cheating within what is supposed to be a mutually monogamous relationship, puts the other partner's health at risk. Bringing a sexually transmitted disease home to an unsuspecting partner is just about the crappiest thing you can do to someone. So don't do it! If one partner wants complete monogamy and the other wants an "open" relationship, then it's time to figure out whether this couple is a good match.
Before you tie the knot--or even officially become "boyfriends" and decide to be monogamous--make sure you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to monogamy and understand what exactly you both believe it means to be monogamous. For example, for some couples, monogamy is only about not f*cking anyone else, and other sexual activities are permitted outside the relationship. If that's the case, remember that sexually transmitted infections can be spread through other sexual activities, so know your risks and how to protect yourselves. Just be honest with each other about your expectations and needs in your relationship. Honesty in the beginning will save you both a lot of heartache in the future.
Of course, from a purely public health perspective, exclusive mutual monogamy is the safest thing for your health with respect to sexually transmitted infections. After all, if you're only having sex with your partner, you don't have to ever worry about the risk of bringing a new sexually transmitted disease into the bedroom. Sure you give something up when you enter into a totally monogamous relationship, but you also gain some peace of mind about your sexual health!
For More on Gay Marriage and Marriage Equality, visit:
Marriage Equality
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