week 2 ( Its about the boy)

Hi Fellow Bloggers,

I labeled this one "Its about the boy" because I'm sure you guys have read that I'm a single mom of a pretty amazing eight year old boy. I've been doing some research about tolerance and stigmas and all those not so happy thoughts. I realized yesterday that tolerance is just a word and not many of us accept or "tolerate" others' differences of opinion, orientation, physicalities, disfunctions whatever it might be we aren't a very forgiving society.

My son experienced prejudice from my neighbors son today when he boarded the school bus this morning. My neighbor had an issue by the way I conducted myself in my driveway when I kissed my girlfriend good bye from visiting with us that afternoon. We kissed and I didn't think twice about a hug and a good bye kiss and what it would mean to my neighbors. However, I should have because my neighbor called then text my cell with rants about exposing her children to my orientation and blah blah blah. Yes that's what i said because a) I don't feel that my orientation should be viewed as anything other than what it is... love between two females big whoop! b) this is my property and I shouldn't be discriminated against for my "behavior" c) if I had kissed a BOYfriend instead of a GIRLfriend, the neighbor would have looked the other way and not a second look given. Now this is my soap box for the day. It made me furious that my son had to endure such discrimination from his busmate and neighbor all because of his mothers thoughts about my orientation. Our boys were allowed to play last year but now they aren't.

Now I welcome everyone's opinion on how to react to this discrimination but it ties to our kids. The ones who contract HIV/AIDS with no fault of their own and how people treat them. I've decided to focus on women and children's health in my future blogs because both affect me directly. I am a furious mom of a healthy eight year old. How does a mom (HIV positive or negative) of an eight year old (HIV positive or negative) feel when her child is bullied or discriminated against?

I found an organization when I was doing my research for this blog that really helps with resources for women and children. Prevention, care, Pyschosocial issues, other general resources. http://www.womenchildrenhiv.org/ Now this site is for informational purposes.

I also found a wonderful site called children with AIDS charity...http://www.cwac.org/index.htm
this site is specific to children's needs. It was set up in 1992 to help those who are the silent voices drowned by the loud sounds of HIV/AIDS. Charity events range from bracelet sells to fine dining dinner events. The charity is based out of London but I'm sure it can be expanded to any part of the world with a few emails.

I am a mom and my son means the world to me. In my next blog I'm going to try and find the answer to my question, " What does that mom feel like?" I'm furious and I don't have to deal with a sick child, I can't even attempt to wear those shoes.

Laterz

Works cited
HIV/AIDS women and children. (2009) Requested on September 16, 2009. http://www.womenchildrenhiv.org/

Women and Children HIV/AIDS charities. (2009) Requested on September 16, 2009. http://www.cwac.org/index.htm

Did you know?

Hello fellow bloggers,



As my "did you know" column. I'm choosing to touch on topics relating to homosexuality and HIV/AIDS. I want to talk about the different ways to protect oneself especially if you are a lesbian. I have googled HIV/AIDS and homosexuality. In the majority of the sites, I've found alot of information about men and homosexuality and not much on women and homosexuality. So for all of you guys out there, I'm going to focus on women mostly. A) because I am one and B) because I'm not finding a whole lot out there. So, we're off to do some research. If anyone finds anything that would be of interest then feel free to add it.



I'm going to post one thing at a time. so here goes...



The most often question I'm asked is as a lesbian how do you protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases and HIV?


I don't sleep with men. I haven't in several years. I think the more simple the better. Do we agree?


I think getting tested at the least before every new partner would be wise. I was told in the Health Dept by an RN that the window of infection is three months. Which to me meant that I have to know my status three months prior to sleeping with someone new. So even if I have an HIV test scheduled for today, I would have to remember that what I did last night probably won't show up for another three months. Now, I'm not saying I'm a saint either. Just saying that makes me laugh because sainthood and homosexuality are polar opposites from what I'm reading.

We all know that condoms are not 100% from sexually transmitted diseases and for comfort; neither are other types of barriers, the "dental dam" or finger condoms, latex gloves. Try snapping one of those on for a romantic session of foreplay. Guys don't like condoms and ladies don't like the glove or dental dams. It doesn't feel the same, or natural, or whatever excuse we might have but it might be the next best thing for practicing safer sex!

I found a great site that will give younger ladies a great source of information. Now it is for young lesbians... now matter the age because at 26 I was a young lesbian too. So have fun with this one ladies...http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/lesbianhealth.html


There are times where passion is intense and you find someone who makes your hairs stand on end and asking them their medical history isn't the first thing you think about. At which point, honesty has to be the best policy. The unspoken truth can be the reality of too many unwanted invitations to either an STD or the HIV/AIDS Club.

Hope this adds some insight into lesbian safe sex.

Laterz bloggers


Lesbian and Dental Dams. (2009). Retrieved September 16, 2009 from Lesbian Health website. http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/lesbianhealth.html