What I'm suggesting is a system that would encourage men to get tested and also provide them with some trust regarding each other's STD status. From talking to men who are into sex with men, I've noticed that many men never get tested for any of the STDs, or there is no mechanism to validate what they say about their own STD status.

The typical "I'm clean and disease free" is not enough. Also, carrying a certificate that proves the status is not good either. There is a need for a more dynamic mechanism to achieve this. The answer is to use Technology.

I'm assuming that the local health department would get involved in this program. They would offer men who they identify as men who have sex with men (MSM) and who are involved in impersonal sex. These are the men who are the best candidates for this program. Other men can also get involved. For instance two men who are looking for a LTR can also use this system.

The men would volunteer to register in this program. This would consist of periodic counseling sessions as well as testing for a variety of STDs (syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV) and a general health check-up (lymph nodes). Initially this would be free of charge. However, in order to provide an "excuse" for not being in this program, eventually there should be a minimal fee. If the service is free men would feel that is they don't participate is because they are not "clean." Charging would avoid this: "I can't justify paying the $$$$." This is just a detail.

Trained personnel would first interview the candidate and discuss all aspects of sex with men. The counselor should gather information about the man's sexual needs and fantasies. Tests and medical examination are performed at this time.

Each participant is given an "access code" which would allow other men who are also in this program to inquire about their status using the phone. I will not go into great detail about how this Information System will work. When calling to inquire the voice of the participant would guarantee that the results belong to that person. No name or any other personal information would be disclosed.

Members of this program would at first be required to attend regular sessions at the clinic. A failure to do so may mean that the member is removed from the program. This would guarantee that the men are being tested regularly. A sexual history would also be discussed in these sessions.

The information provided on the phone would be the results and dates of the tests as well as a "rating" grade given by the counselor. This scale would reflect the time the individual has been in the program and perhaps other variables.

This way a man can meet up with another man, quickly get on the phone and inquire about each other status, and after that proceed with the fun part: sex. Also, groups of men can get together without the fear of anyone in the group being infected with any STDs.

There are issues to resolve. How about men getting drunk and having unprotected sex with some guy in a bathouse who is not in the program? Part of the counseling has to deal with these issues. Also, my guess is that many participants may be motivated enough not to slip, because they know that they have a large number of men with whom they can have sex in a safer way. Why risk then?

This system may not be perfect but it's a start. It can also be used for men who are having sex with women. Any comments?

TheSexWizard




[Note: This message has been edited by Horndogg]