Shortie,
Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one who doesn’t smoke marijuana on campus. Am I alone?

Data from a 2008 alcohol and drug survey here at Oswego State revealed that 79.5 percent of Oswego State students have not smoked marijuana in the last 30 days. This survey was anonymous and online, so there is no reason to believe that anyone would have lied about the questions. Oswego State has been using this survey for the past 14 years. So, to answer your question, you definitely are not!

Shortie,
What is the safest way for gay men to have sex?

The safest sex anyone can have is with a condom. There are multiple ways for gay men to have sex, including oral, anal and rimming. Whether someone is giving or receiving oral sex, they are still at risk of contracting STI’s (sexually transmitted infections) such as hepatitis B, herpes, syphilis and HIV. To reduce risks, some men pull out before ejaculation. To further reduce risks, a person could use a flavored condom (available ten for a dollar at the Lifestyles Center in Mary Walker Health Center). Unprotected anal intercourse is considered a high-risk activity. To reduce risk, use a condom and make sure lubrication is used to prevent the condom or anal tissue from tearing. Make sure the lubrication is water-based, like KY jelly and not oil-based, like petroleum jelly. If using a female condom (many gay men prefer these over male condoms for anal sex) use whatever kind of lubrication you would like. Rimming is slang for analingus, or the oral stimulation of the anus. This practice can put both partners at risk for STI’s such as HIV, hepatitis, herpes and even parasites. To make analingus safer, a number of things can be used. The first is a latex dam, which is a flat latex square made especially for oral/genital or oral and anal contact (they are available at the Lifestyles Center for a dollar each). A cut open condom is cheaper and will do the same trick. Cut off the tip, cut up the side and then unroll. Even a piece of non-microwavable plastic wrap (the microwavable kind is porous) can be used. It is also very important to be regularly tested for STI’s.

Shortie,
I know this sounds funny, but say I’ve had sex with 200 people, and I have sex with someone else who has had sex with 200 people. Does this mean we have each had sex with 400 people?

Not technically. Let’s say someone has unprotected intercourse (no condom or dam) with 200 people. They would be exposed to any STI (sexually transmitted infection) that their partner has been exposed to. It follows that if their partner has had unprotected intercourse with 200 people, that person would be exposed to any STI those 200 people had. That would mean they have been exposed to the STI’s of 400 individuals. If condoms were to be used all the time every time, the risk of getting an STI from any of these 400 people is greatly reduced. However, condoms are not 100 percent effective at preventing STI’s, so the more monogamous the relationships the better.