Before you and your loved one (or one night stand) bump uglies, couples used to (hopefully) talk about safe sex before getting down to business. Discussion of birth control and the awkward notion of STD’s would arise, and both partners would share their info.
Apparently honesty is a thing of the past, and some people need visible proof that their partner is STD free. That’s the philosophy behind STFree certifications.
STFree was founded in 2003 when a 22-year-old man, Eli Dancy decided to do something about safe sex. Eli introduced the world’s first and only Safe Sex License to New York in 2004. STFree is the world’s new online registration for HIV/AIDS testing.
“STFree acts as a third party entity by verifying and storing individuals STD testing information with their consent. We then provide all of our members with an ID we call the Safe Sex License (SSL). The Safe Sex License is a confidential identification card that is issued by STFree. It gives its users access to their important STD testing information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. As well as, giving potential sexual partners, with the member’s permission, access to information.”
Eli certainly had a fantastic idea, but it isn’t implemented in every state. I couldn’t find a list of states that have an STFree option, but I can tell you that Kentucky does not.
I was able to speak to several Health and Family Service’s employees and directors over the phone, and they all agreed that having an STFree card would be a great idea in the bluegrass, but there’s one catch:
“Hardly anyone gets tested,” says Genève who works at Planned Parenthood in Frankfort . “We see plenty of pregnant teens and adults who come in and out of our office, seeking a plan, maybe looking for an abortion… but no one comes in asking for any of our STD tests.”
Mary Claire Benneck (18) says, “I don’t think people my age get tested for STDs. We haven’t had that much sex yet. We have sex with our boyfriends or girlfriends and we trust them, and a lot of times, that’s the only person that they… we’ve ever had sex with.”
Jannice Wilkinson (24) says, “I’ve never been checked for STD’s and I have had sex with more than one person in my lifetime. I haven’t gotten checked, because I’m not dirty, or itchy, and I don’t have weird splotches all over my junk. Anyway, I expect my gynecologist to let me know if something troublesome is going on.”
Genève says is the problem. Just because there is no physical evidence of an STD, doesn’t mean it isn’t there… or won’t come up later.
“If people got the STFree card, and shared their information with their partners… while getting regular check-ups, then I think the cards are a good idea. But for now, I don’t think it does Kentucky any good to spend money on this program, on this card, if people aren’t going to utilize it on a mass scale.”
Find out more information at http://stfree.com/