Sexual health has to do with more than just your physical well-being. Your emotional and psychological health is equally as important. Make a decision about your sexual practices and stick to them. Talk to your partner about your choice whether it is to remain abstinent, what safety precautions you want to take and how far you are willing to go. Nobody can tell you what to do with your body, but you.

1) ABSTINENCE…that is showing affection only through hugging and kissing, not through intercourse. This is the only 100% safeguard against AIDS, unwanted pregnancy, and the guilt or other emotional problems that might come from engaging in sexual activity too early.

2) MONOGAMY…sticking with only one sex partner, rather than running the risk of sleeping around, will give you safer sex. There is no such thing as safe sex - only SAFER sex. The only TRULY safe sex is ABSTINENCE.

3) RELIABILITY…not making the mistake of judging whether a sex partner is safe by how clean, good looking, or nice he or she appears. There is no such thing as safe sex - only SAFER sex. The only TRULY safe sex is ABSTINENCE.

4) PROTECTION…always, always using a latex condom or rubber for all sexual intercourse: vaginal, anal, or oral. DO NOT depend on the contraceptive pill, an IUD or any other device for birth control to protect against AIDS – none will. There is no such thing as safe sex - only SAFER sex. The only TRULY safe sex is ABSTINENCE.

5) BETTER SAFE...use birth control foam, cream or jelly in addition to the condom. Make sure it contains non-oxynol 9; this chemical may weaken the AIDS virus. There is no such thing as safe sex - only SAFER sex. The only TRULY safe sex is ABSTINENCE.

6) RESPONSIBILITY…having sexual intercourse when you’re drinking or using drugs is dangerous. Being drunk or high makes you less capable of using good judgment. Realize that your life depends on following safer sex strategies. There is no such thing as safe sex - only SAFER sex. The only TRULY safe sex is ABSTINENCE.