Q Clinic promotes consent on National Condom Day
Wide Bay Q Clinic team are encouraging budding lovebirds to ensure that they have the consent of their partner before getting amorous on Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is also National Condom Day and this year’s theme is “Ask first: communicate and negotiate” which highlights the importance of clearly obtaining the consent of your partner.
“Ask first: communicate and negotiate is all about communicating with sexual partners about their needs and negotiating safe sex which always respects your partner’s body, boundaries and decisions.” Wide Bay Q Clinic nurse Nicole Blackley said.
“We urge people to remember that all partners must agree to take part in any sexual activity without fear, coercion or intimidation.
“Everyone has the freedom to choose when and what sexual activities to take part in, and they are free to change their mind at any time.”
National Condom Day also promotes the importance of contraception within any sexual relationships.
“On National Condom Day we particularly want to place importance on all partners having the right to use condoms or other contraception,” Ms Blackley said.
“If you’re hoping to get intimate on Valentine’s Day or at any other time then try to talk about safe sex early on and have some condoms handy.
“Whether it’s sexual transmissible infections or an unplanned pregnancy, protecting yourself is your right and you should always feel free to use condoms if you want to.”
Another useful local service for new couples who meet on Valentine’s Day, or any other day of the year, is the Wide Bay Q Clinic’s confidential testing for sexually transmitted infections.
The Wide Bay Q Clinic is located at the Margaret Rose Centre, on the corner of Bourbong and Hope Streets, Bundaberg, and also provides a visiting clinic to the Fraser Coast. To make a booking for the Fraser Coast clinic please call 4150 2754.
Services at the Wide Bay Q Clinic do not require a Medicare or health care card, although people who do have these cards are encouraged to bring them.
On top of testing for sexually transmitted infections, other services offered include:
- Treatment for sexually transmitted infections
- Rapid HIV testing
- Cryotherapy for genital warts
- Contraception information and advice
- Ask us your sexuality questions (straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or uncertain)
- Screening and certification for sex workers
- Free condoms/lube
- Sexual health education and information
- Contact tracing.
Please telephone 4150 2754 for an appointment or to get advice from a registered nurse. Alternatively email BBH-QClinic@health.qld.gov.au
