There’s so much information out there, and yet there’s not enough, right? Finding high-quality information on sex, sexual health, and sexuality can be tough. We want to make it easier, especially for gender-diverse people. We hope that this blog series on sex, sexual health, and desire for and about trans, gender-diverse, and queer people have tickled your fancy. We’re not about to stop (unless you say so!) and there’s so much more to talk about. Here are some of the sexual health resources we like to share the most:
1. Scarleteen: If You’re Just Getting Started
We love Scarleteen. It’s a huge collection of inclusive and comprehensive information for youth and young adults (and sometimes older adults!) You can search by keyword, follow them on Insta, contact them directly for advice, and read their books offline. Some of our favorite Scarleteen blogs:
2. Safer Sex For Trans Bodies
This booklet, developed by Whitman-Walker Health and HRC, covers a broad range of sexy topics, from masturbation, to consent negotiation, to STI risks of some sexual activities, to safer sex tools, and beyond. We’re big fans.
3. PUMP
From Callen-Lorde. Language Alert: the full title is PUMP: Sexual Pleasure & Health Resource Guide for Transmen who have Sex with Men.
In-depth discussion of sexual health topics tailored to gender-diverse AFAB individuals who have sex with men. The authors use “transmasculine” inclusively:
Transmasculine is a word we are using as an umbrella term to include many gender identities, including transgender men, non-binary assigned female at birth (AFAB), and men with a transgender history.
PUMP
The focus on “who have sex with men” is because of the higher rates of HIV and STIs among MSM.
We find this a well-written and comprehensive discussion. We especially like the “Name Your Parts” section where you get to declare what you call parts of your body, and the Sweet, Sticky, Saucy consent activity where you can map out some sexual activity boundaries.
4. Healthy Bodies Safer Sex
Good overall resource written for college students. Best bits? How to DIY barriers for diverse bodies like a cape for bottom growth made out of a glove.
5. Smitten Kitten’s Guide to Lubes (<– click for PDF)
Lube, lube, and more lube. This is our favorite one-stop-read for lube information. What kind of lube fits you and what you do? Water-based? Silicone-based? Hybrid, or maybe Plant-Oil based? Smitten Kitten guides you through the 4 types, and their pros and cons. Do you like to nerd out on the nitty and hopefully not-gritty details of the science of lube, or do you have a chemically-sensitive body? Dangerous Lilly’s The Big Lube Guide goes in-depth on osmality, pH, and ingredients to be aware of.
Important Bits to Remember About Lube!
- DON’T use silicone lube with silicone toys
- Oil-based lubes ARE NOT compatible with latex barriers (most condoms and safer-sex barriers.) This includes both liquid oil-based lubes and thick ‘n’ greasy ones.
- Oil-based lubes should not be used on porous materials like soft plastics.
- More is more.
QueerDoc Recommendations:
- Hybrid and silicone-based lubes are safe with condoms and stay slick longer than water-based
- Hybrids can be used with silicone sex toys (don’t forget to clean your toys!)
- Our recommended hybrid lube: Fuck Water Hybrid Lube
- Our recommended silicone lube: UberLube
6. While We’re At It, How To Clean Your Toys
Check out this handy chart for cleaning and storing tips by material. The rest of this Healthline article is pretty good, too.
7. Know Your Risks
Fab charts from our neighbors to the north, the BC Centre for Disease Control. See the charts for vaginal or anal sex and oral sex here. Also check out their big chart of STIs, their symptoms, testing and treatment information, here.
8. All About Anal
All butts about it. If you’re new to anal play, Teen Health Source has a good intro with answers to common questions. So does Scarleteen.
9. Getting Ready for Anal
Enemas and douches, explained. This comic was written and illustrated by Blindjaw and used to be up on that person’s Tumblr, but the link no longer works.
Content notice- it was created seemingly targeting a cis, gay male audience and uses the word “pussy” derogatorily. However, our medical team at QueerDoc has reviewed it and finds it to be a very useful infographic if you won’t be harmed by the language! If you would rather have a webpage that is less jocular and more direct language, check out this content. The photos lack body diversity in all the ways and they are selling a product, but the advice is solid!
Complete this form to get a download:
10. Intimate Partner Violence Resources
- the Network/La Red: a survivor-led, social justice organization that works to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, SM, polyamorous, and queer communities.
- love is respect: LGBTQ+ relationships and dating violence information for youth.
- FORGE Resources on sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other topics for transgender people.
Previous articles in this series:
- Six Sex Toys That We Love For Trans Folx
- Changes to Genitals, Libido, and Orgasm: What To Expect on Hormones
- Why We Love Erotica More Than Porn
- Hook Up or LTR? Four Dating Apps Checked Out.
What Are Your Favorite Sexual Health Resources?
Let us know in the comments!
Next week, we’re diving into the best apps for hooking up, part two.
