SM = Safer Magic

Introduction

s members of the Leather/SM community, we are familiar with negotiating safety issues.  This pamphlet is written to help us make informed decisions about our sexual practices. It describes the risks of HIV transmission associated with Leather/SM sex. While abstaining from all sexual activity is the only 100% “safe” method of avoiding sexually transmitted disease, many Leather/SM activities pose little or no danger of HIV transmission. Although Leather/SM is often singled out as "high-risk behavior" and our community stigmatized as a "high-risk group," this is mostly ill-informed.

This pamphlet is not a comprehensive guide to safer Leather/SM sex play! It assumes that you are familiar with basic safer sex principles and that you understand the techniques required to practice Leather/SM sex without causing injury to yourself or your partner. It was originally prepared as "points-of-discussion" for use in the L.I. Ravens MC pledge classes.  For more information, check the references listed at the end of this pamphlet.

The Basics

Latex Barriers

HIV is spread when the blood or semen of an infected person enters the bloodstream of another person. Skin is a perfect barrier against the virus, but the membranes lining the ass and cock are more vulnerable. To protect them from HIV exposure, latex barriers must be used. These are an essential part of any safer Leather/SM scene. There are several that you should know about:

Condoms ...

must be worn for fucking. They can also be used to cover dildos and butt-plugs to prevent contamination of the toys. Use a fresh condom for each partner who shares the toys. Use latex condoms only. Natural (lambskin) condoms are an ineffective barrier against HIV.

Gloves ...

recommended for fisting.

Finger-Cots ...

are like mini-condoms worn on the fingers. They can be used for finger-fucking if you have cuts on your fingers and do not want to wear a glove.

Dental Dams ...

are latex squares useful for covering wounds or abrasions which may occur during sex play—simply tape the dam over the wound to protect against the exchange of blood or cum. If a dam is not available, cut a condom lengthwise and open it out, or use a piece of household plastic wrap.

Lubricants

Use plenty of lube when fucking or fisting. Use mentholated or flavored varieties externally; try a drop inside a condom to enhance the pleasure. Lube is fun, and the play possibilities are endless. Experiment!

Use water-based lubes ONLY. (Probe, Astro-Glide, and ForPlay are popular examples.) Oil-based lubes such as Crisco or Vaseline MUST BE AVOIDED because they destroy latex and cause condoms to break. Beware of lubes that describe themselves as water-soluble—they are not the same as water based and may contain oils.

Do not share bulk containers of lube among multiple partners—a contaminated hand dipped into the tub will contaminate the whole batch. If several people are sharing lube, use one which comes in a pump dispenser or give each person their own supply in a disposable paper cup.

Some lubes contain a spermicide called Nonoxynol-9. This has been shown to kill HIV in laboratory tests. However, research has been inconclusive as to whether or not it does provide any additional protection in the real world. It must never be used instead of a condom. Condoms that are sold with Nonoxynol-9 do not contain enough to offer any added protection. Nonoxynol-9 causes irritation in some men which may make the transmission of HIV easier. In a study of female prostitutes engaging in frequent intercourse, those using Nonoxynol-9 had a 50% higher incidence of HIV than those not using it. If you are sensitive to it--avoid it. If you are not sure, put a dab of lube under your arm; if it irritates you, avoid it.

Lubricants and barriers are increasingly available in drug-stores and supermarkets. They are always available at stores specializing in sex-play equipment, adult bookstores, or medical supply outlets.

Toys/Apparatus

Contaminated toys and apparatus can transmit HIV between partners. The best solution is not to share them—each person should provide their own. In a group scene, each person's toys should be clearly marked so there is no confusion.

If equipment is shared, it must be kept HIV free. Dildos and butt- plugs should be covered with condoms which are changed between partners; everything else must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

To clean equipment—wash well with soap and water; soak for an hour in isopropyl (“rubbing”) alcohol or a bleach solution made of one part bleach to nine parts water; and finally rinse thoroughly in hot water. Note: leather cleaned in this way will dry out and crack. To preserve it, use a good quality leather oil (neat oil) after cleaning.

Wounds

Any break in the skin is a potential site for the entry of HIV and must be covered with latex. Know your body—be aware of any cuts or nicks that you have going into a scene and be alert for others that may occur during play. Clean them with soap and water, disinfect with iodine, and cover with a latex barrier.

Drugs/Alcohol

Limit pot, alcohol, and other drugs during sex play. Do not use them as a means of relaxation—they will not only destroy the intensity of the experience but will also impair your judgment. In such circumstances you increase the chances of lapsing into unsafe sex practices and risk injuring yourself or your partner(s).

If you inject drugs, do not to share your works. If you must, clean them thoroughly with bleach and water first.

The use of illegal drugs at Ravens’ sponsored events is prohibited.

Ass Play

Fucking ...

is high-risk activity. There is no way around it— condoms must be worn every time! HIV can pass across an ass-lining even if the lining is intact. The risk is even greater in sex play where dildos, butt-plugs, or fisting may have torn the lining. As a general rule—if you are going to fuck, do so before heavy ass play; if you fuck afterwards, be extremely careful.

Fisting/Handballing ...

carries some risk of HIV transmission because it may tear the ass-lining and the skin on the fist. To make it safer, wear a glove, use lots of water-based lube, and proceed slowly to allow your partner time to relax. Full length gloves (those which extend all the way up the arm) are best, particularly for deep-fisting. Be sure to trim and file your nails so that you don't cut the glove or your partner.

                Do not share gloves—use a fresh one for each person.

Fingering ...

carries little risk of HIV transmission unless you have a cut on your finger. If you do have a cut, wear a band-aid and a glove or finger cot. As with fisting, trim and file your nails to minimize the risk of cutting your partner. Be aware that if you finger someone's ass during heavy play, you may get traces of their blood on your fingers: be very careful not to transfer this to anyone else involved in the scene. Either wash your hands thoroughly between partners or wear cots every time and change them when necessary.

Enemas/Douching

Although douching before ass play is hygienic, it will wash away mucous from the ass-lining and so leave you more vulnerable to infection. Use only fresh water in a douche or enema. Never mix in drugs or alcohol.

Douching is not a remedy for unsafe sex. Douching washes cum, blood, or shit further into the intestine rather than washing it away.

Scat/Watersports

Neither piss nor shit (scat) contain enough HIV to present a significant risk of transmission. However, scat in particular, may contain other diseases that are easily transmitted through oral contact. See “rimming” below.

Oral Sex

Cock-Sucking

There are two different views on sucking. Most European and Canadian authorities agree that oral sex presents little risk as long as you don't have open cuts or sores in your mouth. To make it safer they suggest that you don't swallow cum or brush/floss your teeth for two hours before or after sex. Most American authorities are generally more restrictive—they argue that a condom must be worn from start to finish whenever you go down on him.

The choice is yours. You must decide on your own level of safety. And you must establish your limits with your partner(s) before having sex.

Rimming

Oral-anal contact presents minimal risk for HIV, but a high risk for the transmission of hepatitis and parasitic diseases. For maximum safety, use a dental dam.

SM Scenes

Bondage...

carries no risk unless the restraints cause abrasions or cuts. Ropes are most likely to do so; cuffs and straps are safer. Be sure to check for any breaks in the skin that may have occurred and cover them as necessary.

Whipping...

has little risk unless open welts allow exchange of blood products. Bullwhips, canes, and heavy braided floggers are most likely to break the skin. Cat-o-nine tails, crops, and paddles are safer.

Tit/Nipple Torture...

has little risk unless blood is drawn. Nipples on some men may be delicate and easily damaged by heavy biting or serrated or toothed clamps. Be sure to check for any wounding during a heavy scene, and take appropriate precautions.

Shaving/Abrasion Scenes

Use disposable razors and files and use them on only one person. Dispose of them carefully, in sealed containers if possible. Shaving sites and abrasions are open wounds and should be protected.

Hot Wax/Heat Torture...

poses no risk of HIV transmission unless it causes open burns or blisters. To avoid blistering, use paraffin wax candles which melt at low temperatures; do not use beeswax candles which melt at high temperatures and may cause serious burns.

Electric Torture...

with cattle prods or other sparking devices presents no risk at low current. Do not use devices which operate at household voltages! Higher currents or "hot spots" in older equipment may cause burns which break the skin, so they present more risk. If bleeding occurs, clean and disinfect the terminals before using the device on another partner.

Never use electro-torture devices above the waist! Even small amounts of current can disrupt brain and heart rhythms.

Genitorture...

has no risk of HIV infection unless wounds are inflicted.

Body Modification

Piercings...

under two months old should be treated as open wounds. Permanent piercings should only be done by an experienced piercer. If you do/receive play piercings, disinfect the site to be pierced with alcohol or iodine and use sterile, disposable needles. Don't share needles. Dispose of them carefully in a sealed, unbreakable container filled with bleach. Be very careful to protect the piercing site from infection.

Tattooing and Branding...

should only be done by experienced people. The equipment should be sterile and the ink should be fresh from the bottle, not left over from a previous job. Fresh tattoos and brands are open wounds and should be protected.

FINAL REMINDERS

▴             Discuss these recommendations with all your prospective sex partners.

▴             Make your limits known and respect those of others.

▴             Make safer sex guidelines part of your negotiation before having sex.

▴             Don't make safer sex part of the power exchange during a scene.

PLAY HARD, BUT PLAY SAFE!

For information about Leather/SM sex play

Larry Townsend: The Leatherman's Handbook

Trevor Jacques: On the Safe Edge: A Manual for SM Play

Pat Califia: Sensuous Magic: A Guide for Adventurous Couples.

Race Bannon: Learning the Ropes: A Basic Guide to Safe and Fun S/M Lovemaking

Joseph W. Bean: Leathersex: A Guide For the Curious Outsider and the Serious Player.

Joseph W. Bean: Leathersex Q & A: Questions About Leathersex and the Leather Lifestyles Answered.