[freshcream]

good times - I'm sorry. I realize I wasn't clear in what I said. It wasn't that the condoms would or wouldn't protect me from herpes - it was that these men didn't TELL me before I started sleeping with them. The lack of disclosure put me in a situation where I had no idea that I was playing with a loaded gun. I was using that as an example of how people - even the ones you trust - lie or won't disclose. That time was herpes, something condoms offer little protection for (though they do offer SOME protection), but the next time might be HIV, something condoms DO offer some protection for. Yes, there is risk to sexual activity with multiple partners, and the only "safe" sex is no sex, but OUR PREFERENCE is to use what protection we can get. It's like a bullet proof vest - sure, it won't protect against a blow to the head, but your chances are reduced that you won't be fatally shot because it protects other vital parts. There's certainly a difference between reduced risk and no risk, and we're quite aware of that. It's just our choice to reduce the risk.

fun4Ds - We aren't going to expect other couples to use condoms with every partner they have, either. That's simply unrealistic. Our only expectations will be that they use them WITH US. If we contract something after taking that precaution, at least we'll know we did what we could.



Frankly, I'm a little annoyed here. I did not tell anyone that they HAD to use condoms, nor try and convince anyone that our way is the only way. I was stating our preference and used a little background info to explain why we are sticking to our guns on this one. I also expressed concern that, being in the obvious minority, we would have problems with another couple for our choice. That's all. I was not debating - just expressing our choice and why. I come back to people trying to convince me that I'M wrong?! WTF?

You all have done your research and believe you have the right answers. I have done my research and believe I do, too. I'm not saying you all are wrong, so please don't expect me to flip around on what I know, either. We feel it's a responsible decision on our part, even if many of you feel it's arbitrary. As I stated before, I have done a whole lot of reading on the subject of sex - from history to health topics - and I strongly feel that our personal choice is an informed one, regardless of whether or not others here agree.

~Cream