Some of ya'll crack me up sometimes. It seems as if you're taking for granted that sex is one of our primal drives.
Primal is powerful.
When I was 16 I knew more about sex than many adults in this country. I read every book I possibly could and even was the "supplier" of condoms for my boys at that time. By the time I hit college-age though, all of that EDUCATION didn't stop me from engaging in some really risky behavior with some of the gals I "knew". Even after being a Resident Director and actually winning awards for some of the sex ed programs I would have for my students, I still engaged in risky behavior up until as recently as several years ago.
Yes, you know the risks, but sometimes...
(Anyone who has ever crossed that line can finish that sentence)
Obviously every time I went for a test I was quite preoccupied with mental replays of what, if any, outrageous behavior I had indulged in since the last time I was tested. The difference was that I was fully aware and ready to take responsibility for my actions, unlike some people who just go around, praying for the best.
Luckily I've escaped unscathed to this day, but I more than KNOW that there are certain points that once they are crossed will make it extremely difficult to reign oneself in. And yes, at that point religion, morals, personal beliefs, spouse and all the sex education in the world will NOT stop you from proceeding in an unsafe manner, if the environment and the variables are right.
Many times when I went to the Aids Foundation to fix their computers I would tell Wellington Adderley (MHSRIP) that they needed to change up the way they educated Bahamians. Some in this thread are spouting the same sort of stuff they are - "Protect yourself", "Diseases are out there", "Don't engage in unsafe sex". Here's an observation - Those messages when said like that always seem to be given by persons in a way that displays an undertone of disdain for the sexual experience. This makes it sound like those saying such things don't really have good sex in the first place. Which in turn makes the listeners go, "Do you even know how it feels? Are you out there having sex? I'd doubt it. So, why should I listen to you?"
People who are not having really good sex and/or who are not putting themselves out there on the "casual sex " market perhaps are not the best role models to preach safe sex, because everyone knows that they are not really screwing like the rest of us are.
Another point I would like to make is that using victims as spokespersons has been overdone. Who in perfect health truly relates to someone who has HIV? As insensitive as it may sound, there is an obvious disconnect.
It's time to get real about sex in this country. On one side you have the people who are preaching that it's sinful, so don't do it. Then, on the other side you have persons who are using messages/education that the youth don't relate to.
Things have to change.

Very Valid points YB and though some may disagree with what you (maybe not on all of your points but maybe some), I agree 100%. Why because again, the reality is if everything that is being preached to young and older people was being carried out in regards to Aids, there would not be the amount of people living with the disease today.

In addition, I am sure you YB and others know that its not only risky sex but also needles, rape, child birth and medical accidents which also contribute to the epidemic as well.

My thing though is this. I only share some of the facts I have experienced based on persons I know living with it or are now deceased. I accept the reality that no matter how much education one recieves, if one is in a position of attention, they going to march. All we can do is to continue to encourage to be as responsible as they can.

But YB, I one ask you something serious, when you was waiting on ya results, was that one of the most scariest moments in your life cause ma boy, das a serious feeling, a whole week ta know what da deal is like KB song say?

No offence to anybody but no matter how faithful you are, I am sure that any person who is negative now, when ya was waiting fa dem results, .......... dead parry.........

well i dont know why there will be a charge, but you have to remember it take money to do the science to find the treatment, it takes money to create the therapies and it takes money to implement them. secondly, if the people can't afford the therapies, as is done in the bahamas, it should be the responsibility of the governments to provide the means for treatment of this population. i am sure your concerns are valid, but i am sure that there will be a way for treatment to reach all people.... think about it, there are initiative now to provide medicines to those who need it most in african countries. and also.. we are also working on diabetes and cancer.... well not my lab, but there are many others here at my university and universities all over the world


Very true......

But YB, I one ask you something serious, when you was waiting on ya results, was that one of the most scariest moments in your life cause ma boy, das a serious feeling, a whole week ta know what da deal is like KB song say?Not really. Testing isn't a death sentence.

Then again, I have a completely different perspective on this existence and what happens when we leave it.

I am free, unhindered by the fear of an inevitable death by whatever means.

That statement doesn't mean that I'm completely careless enough to throw my life away, but when my time comes, I'm ready. I've skydived from 13,500 ft, scubadived with sharks, done rock climbing, been caving thousands of feet below through tunnels on my belly, faced a shotgun brandished by a klansman and even ridden a motorcycle in Nassau traffic.

I een ga lie though...it is a relief to know that you're safe and healthy.

Not really. Testing isn't a death sentence.

Then again, I have a completely different perspective on this existence and what happens when we leave it.

I am free, unhindered by the fear of an inevitable death by whatever means.

That statement doesn't mean that I'm completely careless enough to throw my life away, but when my time comes, I'm ready. I've skydived from 13,500 ft, dived with sharks, rock climbed, been caving thousands of feet below the through tunnels on my belly, faced a shotgun brandished by a klansman and even ridden a motorcycle in Nassau traffic.

I een ga lie though...it is a relief to know that you're safe and healthy.


What, you had an encounter wit da clan to, I taught it was only me, but I still love White people regardless infact some of them I trust than some non- whites but again, we all have to face death regardless. I guess its a case of trying to do as much as you cyan ta see ya greatgran high school graduation (at least) but YB, you sound lil bit like da General doin all dem crazy teengs, though I did do a Shark dive a few years ago out by Stuart Cove, but dey was lite sharks, dey wasnt no tiger white or bull sharks I guess if they were, we would not be having this conversation......:)

wow 14 yrs and had no clue thats scary.
for what ever reason the carribean is so sexual charged and we dont teach our kids from a young age either about the perils of sex.
yeah there needs to be education in the schools pictures videos and in person interviews with people that cuaght STD's or got preggers in their teens. they need to put a face to the problem, simply saying wear a condom doesnt cut it, i know in the usa sex ed classes actually bring in a banana and a condom to show them how to put it on.
people also need to stop being so slutty (men and women), stop boinking someone after knowing them for all of ten minutes and wrap it up even when having oral intercourse and women if you cant get off with a finger thats ur bad i wont be follin lil kims advice by throwin lips to it.
you just dont know.
so who thinks we will ever find a cure or are we are close as we ever will be


:jawdroop::jawdroop::jawdroop:
dey mussie aine doing it right or need a rabbit :taped2:

Some of ya'll crack me up sometimes. It seems as if you're taking for granted that sex is one of our primal drives.
Primal is powerful.

And that is what drives the point of convincing sexually active individuals to protect themselves and decrease their risk, because the sex drive is such an integral part of our human design.





People who are not having really good sex and/or who are not putting themselves out there on the "casual sex " market perhaps are not the best role models to preach safe sex, because everyone knows that they are not really screwing like the rest of us are.

One doesn't have to go about the place screwing their life out in a promiscuos manner to know what good sex is or what the associated risks are. Neither does one need to be a partaker in casual sex to know what safe sex is. Not everyone needs to walk the tightrope of death to understand the sobering facts related to sexual activity in 2008. I have been told enough sobering stories that always make me think twice before I do or do not engage in sexual activity.

Not really. Testing isn't a death sentence.

Then again, I have a completely different perspective on this existence and what happens when we leave it.

I am free, unhindered by the fear of an inevitable death by whatever means.

That statement doesn't mean that I'm completely careless enough to throw my life away, but when my time comes, I'm ready. I've skydived from 13,500 ft, scubadived with sharks, done rock climbing, been caving thousands of feet below the through tunnels on my belly, faced a shotgun brandished by a klansman and even ridden a motorcycle in Nassau traffic.

I een ga lie though...it is a relief to know that you're safe and healthy.


just as an aside.. anyone who is sexually active.. should get tested at least once a year.. whether or not you are engaging in high risk behaviour or not.. the earlier you are diagnosed... the more productive and healthy the rest of your life can be...:bouncy:

wow 14 yrs and had no clue thats scary.
for what ever reason the carribean is so sexual charged and we dont teach our kids from a young age either about the perils of sex.
yeah there needs to be education in the schools pictures videos and in person interviews with people that cuaght STD's or got preggers in their teens. they need to put a face to the problem, simply saying wear a condom doesnt cut it, i know in the usa sex ed classes actually bring in a banana and a condom to show them how to put it on.
people also need to stop being so slutty (men and women), stop boinking someone after knowing them for all of ten minutes and wrap it up even when having oral intercourse and women if you cant get off with a finger thats ur bad i wont be follin lil kims advice by throwin lips to it.
you just dont know.
so who thinks we will ever find a cure or are we are close as we ever will be

it differs from state to state, Sarah Palin, for example, is for abstinence only sex education

And that is what drives the point of convincing sexually active individuals to protect themselves and decrease their risk, because the sex drive is such an integral part of our human design.
One doesn't have to go about the place screwing their life out in a promiscuos manner to know what good sex is or what the associated risks are. Neither does one need to be a partaker in casual sex to know what safe sex is. Not everyone needs to walk the tightrope of death to understand the sobering facts related to sexual activity in 2008. I have been told enough sobering stories that always make me think twice before I do or do not engage in sexual activity.

especially considering that 70% of children are born out of wedlock, unprotected, casual sex appears to be the norm

I take personal resentment to this statement. I am doing my phd dissertation research in a lab that specializes in autoimmune/ immocompromised populations (HIV/AIDS). I am working on the autoimmune aspect, but i can say with out a doubt that we scientists invest a lot of effort, intellectual, financial, and labour intensive, in trying to fight diseases that ravage the population. In my laboratory we are working very hard to study the biology of b-cell vaccine responses in HIV, in an attempt to create vaccine modalities that are antibody based,along with several other centers at the university focusing on creating synthetic peptide vaccines, hence providing a preventative method of disease eradication. I know that governments are capable of some very vile things, but have a little respect for the scientific community. HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and cures are high on the list of priorities.

its possible that the poster's scepticism and cynicism is based on the Tuskegee experiments; just a thought

its possible that the poster's scepticism and cynicism is based on the Tuskegee experiments; just a thought

interesting observation, but i must tell u that personal and ethical integrity are very important parts of the curriculum in training scientists. they are entire committee created to protect animal and human subjects who are participating in research. i remember as a first yr student before i could do any research i had to take a course called ethics and professional integrity, where interestingly enough an entire module was spent discussing the Tuskegee project. I can assure you such a thing would never happen in this day and age. Case in point, I do a lot of my research using human tissue, there are tons of hurdles that had to be overcome to get approval to perform the studies, and this is on tissue (i.e. blood, and organs being discarded post-mortem, post surgical resection or biopsy, whatever the case). the internal review board which is set up to protect the participants take Ethics as a serious consideration. If the tuskegee experiments were cause for concern for that member, he can certainly rest assured.

One doesn't have to go about the place screwing their life out in a promiscuos manner to know what good sex is or what the associated risks are. Neither does one need to be a partaker in casual sex to know what safe sex is. Not everyone needs to walk the tightrope of death to understand the sobering facts related to sexual activity in 2008. I have been told enough sobering stories that always make me think twice before I do or do not engage in sexual activity.My point was that the people who are at the forefront of these messages often do not appear to be sexually active...that is, along the lines that the people who need to be educated are.

Either they are older, religious, appear to be anti-sex, push scare tactics, or are downright unattractive.

My programs in the US were so successful because I would take things to the very edge of decency.

One sex ed program I did as a Resident Assistant, I advertised as a lingerie party:
1. I got almost all of the men on my floor to show up because the girls on the floors above and below came scantily dressed, while the guys showed up in boxers or shorts. I even had persons from other residence halls come over
2. The sexual tension in that room had everyone in the right frame of mind
3. I showed "Everything you wanted to know about sex, but were afraid to ask (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068555/)" and made it into a game show where the prizes were condoms, dental dams, lube, adult themed candy, etc.
4. Each scene was broken down and questions were asked based upon relevant topics
5. Other games included who could put a condom the fastest on a banana, women and men, and they were penalized if they tore the wrapper incorrectly or used their teeth.
6. Questions were asked and answered about risks about sex, alternative contraception methods and the night overall was a blast.

But you get my point, eh? It was so much fun that people actually asked me to do it again the next semester. I didn't preach, be overly serious, or make it boring. I saw a need and met it, plus they all knew that I was plugging the hell outta my girl at the time. I wasn't alone though...before that event, Friday nights walking though my building was like walking though a porn movie. Someone in every other room could be heard having sex.

I'm just saying that unless a person is really into the lifestyle, sometimes they just cant relate to the desires and pulls of casual sex. People pick up on that quickly. They can tell if you really know about sex or are just giving them information for the sake of it. In this country I have never seen anyone push the message of safe sex in a sexy way.

interesting observation, but i must tell u that personal and ethical integrity are very important parts of the curriculum in training scientists. they are entire committee created to protect animal and human subjects who are participating in research. i remember as a first yr student before i could do any research i had to take a course called ethics and professional integrity, where interestingly enough an entire module was spent discussing the Tuskegee project. I can assure you such a thing would never happen in this day and age. Case in point, I do a lot of my research using human tissue, there are tons of hurdles that had to be overcome to get approval to perform the studies, and this is on tissue (i.e. blood, and organs being discarded post-mortem, post surgical resection or biopsy, whatever the case). the internal review board which is set up to protect the participants take Ethics as a serious consideration. If the tuskegee experiments were cause for concern for that member, he can certainly rest assured.

Doctors take the Hypocratic oath, even the ones involved in the Tuskegee experiment..

Scientists, doctors etc are human first, and their beliefs and prejudices are with them, a google search will give you studies of the difference in healthcare categories of persons receive..

It is only recently that women are being closely studied for example, in the past most of the scientific studies were done on men, (in the US mostly white men), in the US in fact, white men still receive the best healthcare

My point was that the people who are at the forefront of these messages often do not appear to be sexually active...that is, along the lines that the people who need to be educated are.

Either they are older, religious, appear to be anti-sex, push scare tactics, or are downright unattractive.

My programs in the US were so successful because I would take things to the very edge of decency.

One sex ed program I did as a Resident Assistant, I advertised as a lingerie party:
1. I got almost all of the men on my floor to show up because the girls on the floors above and below came scantily dressed, while the guys showed up in boxers or shorts. I even had persons from other residence halls come over
2. The sexual tension in that room had everyone in the right frame of mind
3. I showed "Everything you wanted to know about sex, but were afraid to ask (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068555/)" and made it into a game show where the prizes were condoms, dental dams, lube, adult themed candy, etc.
4. Each scene was broken down and questions were asked based upon relevant topics
5. Other games included who could put a condom the fastest on a banana, women and men, and they were penalized if they tore the wrapper incorrectly or used their teeth.
6. Questions were asked and answered about risks about sex, alternative contraception methods and the night overall was a blast.

But you get my point, eh? It was so much fun that people actually asked me to do it again the next semester. I didn't preach, be overly serious, or make it boring. I saw a need and met it, plus they all knew that I was plugging the hell outta my girl at the time. I wasn't alone though...before that event, Friday nights walking though my building was like walking though a porn movie. Someone in every other room could be heard having sex.

I'm just saying that unless a person is really into the lifestyle, sometimes they just cant relate to the desires and pulls of casual sex. People pick up on that quickly. They can tell if you really know about sex or are just giving them information for the sake of it. In this country I have never seen anyone push the message of safe sex in a sexy way.


i get your point Yorick... but when you life is at risk...common sense should trump sexy....when i speak with young people I am just real with them..some of them have never had someone talk to them in a real way about sex.. and ( i am usually speaking with young women) but I put it out there the before during and the after....

it is sad that they are so naive....and are killing themselves senselessly

but when you life is at risk...common sense should trump sexy....Yes indeed...according to your existence, your educational level and your religious/moral/sexual stances.

The question is: Can you truly relate to an 18 year old girl who has had over 20 partners within the past year?

Can you truly relate to a young man who is 22 with 3 kids and 2 more on the way?

Let's be really real here. I can drive around town tonight, pick up a stranger in a bar and have sex with her (not that I would do that). And in most cases she would not even question me as to whether I should use a condom. I'm not talking about a "Sherry" either. I'm talking about a normal Bahamian woman.

Figure that one out.

These are the types of persons who are not getting the message in this country at present. I seriously would doubt that most women on this forum would be able to relate to a person who would do that, but it happens every day in this nation. So when I hear each of you clearly defining and respecting the borders of your bodies by saying that a condom is a must, I seriously wonder if you all can make the connection as to why persons engage in such risky behavior.

The point that I'm making is actually a compliment to you for having that standard, by the way. I just question the efficiency of the methods that would be recommended to curb such behavior when one doesn't understand it.

YOU would be able to, of course. I forgot who I'm talking to

it is sad that they are so naive....and are killing themselves senselesslyNaive or merely uninformed?