Are Lesbians At Risk for Contracting HIV from Each Other?

Yes!! There have cases reported since the mid 1980's which indicate that women are transmitting HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) to each other. Despite these reports the Federal Government's Center for Disease Control (CDC) does not include female to female transmission in its AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) reports. Many lesbians mistakenly believe that they are not at risk. HIV is transmitted when blood, vaginal fluids, breast milk or semen from an HIV infected person enters your blood stream.

Lesbians can be infected with HIV through having unsafe sex (with women or men), donor insemination, sharing injectable drug works, piercing, tattooing and blood transfusions.

BE AWARE: Drug or alchohol use impairs judgement in many areas including practicing safer sex.

Because we do know how HIV is transmitted we can define some guidelines for safer sex and explain which risky sexual behaviors are
potentially risky.

Whether a sexual behavior is safe or unsafe depends on the chances of your partner's bodily fluids coming in contact with your blood.

• Wet kissing is safer unless either of you have a sore or cut in your mouth or bleeding gums. After you brush your teeth or floss, wait a half an hour before kissing.
• Touching your lover's breast, massage, masturbation and body to body rubbing are safer—as long as there is no blood or breast milk exchanged.
• Sores or cuts on the fingers, mouth or vagina of either partner can increase risk during vaginal and anal contact. Using a glove can prevent a way for the virus to get into your blood stream.
• Unprotected oral sex is risky, especially when your
  partner has her period or a vaginal infection. To make it safer,
  cover her genital area (vulva) with a latex dam (also known as a
  dental dam) or you can cut open a condom to make a barrier. If a
  woman is infected, her menstrual blood, vaginal secretions and
  ejaculate will have the virus in it. HIV has been found in these
  fluids.
• Sex toys are safer when used by yourself, but should not be shared without a new condom being put on them.
• S&M or rough sex is safer if there is no blood
  involved. If you are piercing each other clean the needle with
  bleach. In shaving use separate razors.

Drugs, Needles & HIV

If you inject drugs, don't share your equipment ("kit" or
"works"). If you have to share, clean the equipment between use by
flushing the syringe and needle with bleach and water, then flush it
with clean uncontaminated clear water.

If You Are Considering Pregnancy

If you have sex with a man or use donated sperm, make sure he has
two HIV tests six months apart and tested negative both times. The
first test should be six months after his last possible exposure to
HIV. The donor must have no possible exposure to HIV between his last
test and donation. All licensed sperm banks test their donors
carefully and test the sperm twice.

Sex with Men

If you have sex with a man, the man must wear a condom for vaginal
and anal intercourse. Additionally, if you engage in oral sex, it is
necessary that a man wear a condom. HIV is in semen and pre-ejaculate.

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If You Think You Are Or Have Been At Risk For HIV Infection

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If you believe you have been exposed to the HIV virus,
get the HIV test. Early detection leads to early treatment
(intervention) which slows down the progression of the virus. to be
sure of your results, wait 3-6 months after your last risk before
retaking the test.

It is understandible to be scared if you think you might have been
exposed to HIV. Take a calm and realistic look at the risks you might
have taken. Take advantage of the resources we've listed to help you
answer any questions you have regarding risky behaviors.

Regardless of your HIV status you should practice safer sex now to
protect yourself and your parter form HIV and STD's (Sexually
Transmitted Diseases).

Hotlines

Southern California............................(800)922-2437

Bilingual Hotline (English/Spanish)............(800)400-7432

TDD............................................(800)553-2437

Northern California (English/Spanish/Tagalog)..(800)367-2437

TDD............................................(415)864-6606

National AIDS Hotline..........................(800)342-2437

In Spanish.....................................(800)344-7432

TDD............................................(800)243-7889

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The Center: L.A. Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center

Art Direction & Production: Deborah Hanan
Photography: Maria Elena Boyd
Models: Jenny/Tina, Robbi/Tracy, Amazon, Nico

Used by permission