Safety practices

[B00ga]

I am not asking this as some naive wet behind the ears person, sex carries risks, more so wondering which risks many of you take these days?

Until maybe 5 years ago, I would use a condom 95% of the time for random hookups. Only super trusted FWB types or BFs would I not.

Then prep hit quite broadly, which I have been on since and slowly I have swung more the other way, maybe 70% bare, and in those 5 years I have only had to deal with one simple STI, and still of course HIV free. 

I am wondering how you think about safety when hiring? Obviously many of these men are amazingly beautiful. Many also are quite open to their safety practices, testing, on things like Doxypep. Also, candidly, they fuck a lot of people, both for work and for fun.  Along with that, I have found the default has become bare without a condom. 

Honestly just looking for thoughts, what you all tend to do? PreP is certainly amazingly effective, there are other things, I generally don’t mind minimal risks that result in some antibiotics. Point blank question - if you are on prep, do you usually go bare when hiring?

Edited October 21, 2024 by B00ga

[LookingAround]

Point blank answer. Yes. 

[56harrisond]

Some related discussions:

 

[soloyo215]

13 hours ago, B00ga said:

I am not asking this as some naive wet behind the ears person, sex carries risks, more so wondering which risks many of you take these days?

Until maybe 5 years ago, I would use a condom 95% of the time for random hookups. Only super trusted FWB types or BFs would I not.

Then prep hit quite broadly, which I have been on since and slowly I have swung more the other way, maybe 70% bare, and in those 5 years I have only had to deal with one simple STI, and still of course HIV free. 

I am wondering how you think about safety when hiring? Obviously many of these men are amazingly beautiful. Many also are quite open to their safety practices, testing, on things like Doxypep. Also, candidly, they fuck a lot of people, both for work and for fun.  Along with that, I have found the default has become bare without a condom. 

Honestly just looking for thoughts, what you all tend to do? PreP is certainly amazingly effective, there are other things, I generally don’t mind minimal risks that result in some antibiotics. Point blank question - if you are on prep, do you usually go bare when hiring?

The risk that i have taken in the past is relying on the word of the other person being on PrEp.

[+ KensingtonHomo]

My feelings about this have not changed since the 1990s. Perhaps because I'm a bottom, but I do my best to protect myself. So if I'm going to bareback, I'm on PreP. I do think most reputable escorts are on PreP, and I have appreciated the two times a provider contacted me to say I may have been exposed to an STI. I did notice that in Mexico condoms were pretty standard, perhaps because PreP is not as accessible. 

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

Tons of threads on this topic already.

[ICTJOCK]

A great topic to revisit and get input from those who perhaps didn't see it previously.   I'm on Prep and yes,  bare is a part of what I do.    I think it is always prudent to remember that PREP  is great for HIV prevention,  but does nothing for other STD's  (and I realize most here already know that).     I think Prep is sometimes used with the idea  one becomes "invincible".

I think a conversation with the client in advance helps,   but they can simply lie.   If you have any concerns about the attitude toward you  (a lack of caring or indifference),    I'd ask that a condom be a part of the mix.    Be aware,   if the client has open sores or something suspicious,   I"d be safe.    So use common sense when dealing with clients.   It might not protect you,  but being aware certainly helps.

[+ FrankR]

50 minutes ago, Vegas_Millennial said:

I schedule my regular STI testing to occur a few weeks after I arrive home from a trip abroad, which is when I have the most sex.

Getting tested after, is not a safety practice.  You check the car’s dashboard for warnings before you hit the road. Prevention is always better than detection, both are necessary, but let’s not fool ourselves about the sequence. 🤓

[Luv2play]

On 5/12/2025 at 10:47 AM, FrankR said:

Getting tested after, is not a safety practice.  You check the car’s dashboard for warnings before you hit the road. Prevention is always better than detection, both are necessary, but let’s not fool ourselves about the sequence. 🤓

Getting tested on a regular basis is a safety practice in itself. But of course one needs to avail oneself of the other practices to ensure maximum protection. Even then things can happen. Only abstinence is a sure fire protection against acquiring an STI. But that’s no fun. And life is meant to be enjoyed. 

[+ ApexNomad]

58 minutes ago, Luv2play said:

Getting tested on a regular basis is a safety practice in itself. But of course one needs to avail oneself of the other practices to ensure maximum protection. Even then things can happen. Only abstinence is a sure fire protection against acquiring an STI. But that’s no fun. And life is meant to be enjoyed. 

@FrankR would also have you believe in a separate thread that tops are blissfully unaware when they’re fucking without a condom. That dicks trip and fall into assholes. But as he said, let’s not fool ourselves about the sequence.

[+ FrankR]

8 minutes ago, ApexNomad said:

@FrankR would also have you believe in a separate thread that tops are blissfully unaware when they’re fucking without a condom. That dicks trip and fall into assholes. But as he said, let’s not fool ourselves about the sequence.

Exaggerate much?  Please stop putting words in my mouth. Never have I said anything about tripping or falling. That is all you, Nancy Drew.

[+ ApexNomad]

2 minutes ago, FrankR said:

Exaggerate much?  Please stop putting words in my mouth. Never have I said anything about tripping or falling. That is all you, Nancy Drew.

[mike carey]

Ok, gents, lets get back to the subject at hand and cut the sniping.

[AtticusBK]

But this thread was just getting to be entertaining…  😜

[mike carey]

15 minutes ago, AtticusBK said:

But this thread was just getting to be entertaining…  😜

Not an entirely unreasonable observation, but still ... !

[pubic_assistance]

This topic has been discussed multiple times, in various threads.

To my observation, the consensus is that most gay men are now happily risking exposure to every known STI, as long as they don't catch HIV.

 

[+ José Soplanucas]

4 hours ago, pubic_assistance said:

This topic has been discussed multiple times, in various threads.

To my observation, the consensus is that most gay men are now happily risking exposure to every known STI, as long as they don't catch HIV.

 

LOL. A little biased statement. From "my observation" to "the consensus" there is a huge jump. "Most gay men"? I guess you have stats. 

But it is true, this topic has been discussed up to exhaustion. 

To my observation, the consensus is that most gay men who are against dropping condoms when on PrEP are suffering from post traumatic disorder after the HIV pandemic back in the 80s.

[+ ApexNomad]

6 hours ago, José Soplanucas said:

LOL. A little biased statement. From "my observation" to "the consensus" there is a huge jump. "Most gay men"? I guess you have stats. 

But it is true, this topic has been discussed up to exhaustion. 

To my observation, the consensus is that most gay men who are against dropping condoms when on PrEP are suffering from post traumatic disorder after the HIV pandemic back in the 80s.

Perhaps. Or perhaps it’s a combination of factors. Some people still want that added layer of protection, even with today’s medications. For others, it’s about routine, comfort, or a sense of control. Condoms can help in case of accidents and add a barrier for potential messes. While for some, barebacking carries emotional significance and is something they reserve for specific partners, or dare I say, partners they love.

There are many reasons, and it’s not always rooted in trauma or fear. Everyone approaches this differently.

[+ José Soplanucas]

10 hours ago, ApexNomad said:

Perhaps. Or perhaps it’s a combination of factors. Some people still want that added layer of protection, even with today’s medications. For others, it’s about routine, comfort, or a sense of control. Condoms can help in case of accidents and add a barrier for potential messes. While for some, barebacking carries emotional significance and is something they reserve for specific partners, or dare I say, partners they love.

There are many reasons, and it’s not always rooted in trauma or fear. Everyone approaches this differently.

Of course, I fully agree with you. I was mocking others' simple generalizations.

[KeepItReal]

In the words of the Van Wilder generation: Don't be a fool, WRAP YOUR TOOL! 

[marylander1940]

If you don't like the heat get out of the kitchen

Sex could have unwanted consequences.

Take PrEP, know your body/symptoms, and get tested!

No need for slut shaming!