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Gayswansea.com is compiling several advise topics for its members. These topics have not just been written by Gayswansea.com designers but have had input from official people, for example THT and South Wales Police.

Please click on a topic that interest you

Tips for safer Internet Dating
Tips for safer Cruising
Poppers and unprotected sex
What are Poppers?

When chatting online:

Do not give out your primary e-mail address: if someone pesters you, block them from sending any more messages to you if you are able to.

It is easy to become very open from behind a computer screen, but unfortunately, like everywhere else, there are dishonest people online. Do not divulge your home address or telephone number, or work details until you are sure you can trust the person.

Do not believe everything you are being told, or that every picture you see is in fact the person you are talking to. You might be able to verify a picture by asking them to send another photo of themselves, or by asking questions about the picture. Photos that may seem too professional may have been downloaded off the internet.

When meeting someone:

Be reasonable with your expectations. Do not let your fantasies run away with you - what somebody seems to be online might not be who they are face-to-face.

When meeting for the first time, arrange to meet in a busy public place like a bar or a club, or with friends. You can always go somewhere more private later once you have met them and you are sure you can trust them. Do not rely on the other person for transport - then you can leave whenever you want.

Let someone know who you are meeting and where. You can leave a note, keep a diary, e-mail a friend, or ask someone to phone you on your mobile to make sure you are all right.

Apply your common sense and the basic rules of personal safety. Maintain a healthy degree of suspicion: if anything seems odd, be careful.

If you plan to meet a stranger for sex, be safe and take condoms with you in case you need them.

Meeting somebody via an internet chat site whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol may make you more vulnerable to physical attack and sexual assault. It may also make it more tricky for you to negotiate safer sex and condom use.

Do not feel compelled or pressurised to do anything you don’t want to. Should things get out of hand don’t hesitate to report it to the police. They’ll be more understanding than you think.

Cruise

If cruising for sex outdoors or in public places is your thing, here are some safety tips. Most of the time men don’t run into problems but it pays to be prepared.

Not all men in cruising sites are there for sex – some muggers and gay bashers target them too. If you’re a victim of this, remember that, even though you may have been having sex in a public place (which can still get you into trouble with the law), you can and should report any problems to the police. As a victim of crime, they shouldn’t be interested in the fact you were cruising, just in catching the attackers.

Before going, think through the possible risks …

A cruising area that’s been in the news can attract troublemakers or the police and may be best avoided until things quieten down.

Check out the cruising site in daylight for layout, exit routes, dead-ends, where to get to safety and the nearest bus stops, cab office or phone box.

‘Cottages’ have less escape routes and can be more likely to attract gay bashers and the police.

If you can, let someone know where you’re going – or better still go with a friend and pre-arrange times and places to meet whilst there.

If you’re under the influence of drink or drugs, stop and think again – you can be more vulnerable.

Things to take

·   Condoms and lube – even if you’re not planning to fuck. You can’t rely on getting them later
·   Enough money to take a taxi or bus home
·   A whistle or personal alarm is good for scaring off trouble causers or attracting help

Things not to take

·   Wearing a Walkman or i-Pod makes you less aware of your surroundings and a target for muggers
·   If you can, leave at home credit cards, expensive jewellery, large amounts of cash and things with your address
·   If you have drugs on you, you’ll be in major trouble if stopped by the police while out cruising

Once you’re there

Be discreet – if passers-by can see you having sex or you draw attention to yourself (e.g. by making noise), you can attract the police, gay bashers or muggers. Always put valuables in a hard-to-reach zipped pocket.

Avoid going off with someone to places that are hard to escape from (like multi-storey car parks, cars and alleyways).

If you’ve been out for a few hours you may find yourself ready to take more risks – sometimes it’s best to call it a night and go home.

If you’re attacked

·   Make noise to scare off attackers – shout ‘fire’ (more people take notice than ‘help’)
·   Get away ASAP – trying to take them on puts you at more risk of serious harm
·   If you’re knocked to the ground, cover your head but try to keep moving (a moving target is harder to kick)
·   Afterwards let someone know what’s happened. Reporting crime means it’s less likely to happen to others

If someone is attacked

·   Avoid putting yourself in danger – get to a safe place
·   If/when safe to, help the attacked person out – don’t assume that someone else will
·   Call the police – make a note of the attackers’ appearance, accent, car number, etc
·   Dial 999 (or 112, the alternative emergency number for mobile users)
·   Warn other cruisers or any outreach workers present

Reporting trouble

The more crime on cruising sites is reported, the more chance troublemakers are caught – they prey on the fact they think men won’t report what happens. If you don’t want to go to the police, you can tell someone else and they can report it to the police (contact THT Cymru on the numbers below or the admin team of gayswansea.com). That way other people can be warned of potential dangers. To be more sure of a sympathetic police response, call your local police station and ask for a Community Liaison Officer, a Hate Crime Officer or the local Minority Support Unit (the numbers for these people are also available on gayswansea.com). South Wales Police has these specialist gay-friendly teams who can support you if you have experienced attack or abuse whilst cruising.

THT Cymru

01792 477 540 or 02920 66 64 65 or email info.cymru@tht.org.uk

Poppers and Unprotected Sex

Terrence Higgins Trust's (THT) campaign strapline: "Poppers increase the risk of HIV being passed on when fucking without condoms," highlights the fact that if you have anal sex without a condom the risk of passing on HIV is increased if you use poppers.

The campaign is being launched in response to new research which investigated seroconversions (become HIV positive) among gay men.

A major finding from the study was that poppers use during unprotected anal intercourse appeared to be a key risk factor in acquiring HIV.

80% of men in the study who tested HIV positive used poppers compared to 58% who remained negative.

Using poppers may cause a significant change to the inside of the rectum.

They increase the blood supply to the area, expanding blood vessels, which can make them more likely to bleed.

This means that men are at greater risk of HIV if they use poppers when having sex without a condom.

Using poppers also lowers inhibitions, which can result in longer and rougher sex sessions, causing a risk of tears and abrasions on the penis and inside the rectum.

WHAT ARE POPPERS?

"Poppers" is the popular name for various alkyl nitrites, including isobutyl nitrite, butyl nitrite, and amyl nitrite.
Doctors used to prescribe amyl nitrite for heart patients in capsules that were broken or "popped" to release vapors.
Amyl nitrite is made and sold illegally, but most poppers are isobutyl nitrite or butyl nitrite sold in small brown bottles as "room aromas", "video head cleaner," "room deodorizer," or "leather cleaner."
The exact contents of these products are not known, and they are not safety tested.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?

Poppers are used by sniffing the vapors from an open bottle. The effects are felt within a few seconds and last for 1-2 minutes.
Poppers cause muscles around blood vessels to relax, making your heart speed up to pump more blood. Oxygen-rich blood reaching the brain produces a "rush" sensation.
Because poppers cause muscles in the anus and vagina to relax, they are often used during sex.

BE CAREFUL.

If swallowed seek immediate medical advise.
Contact with the skin causes irritation and rashes. Extensive use can damage the nose and lungs.
Some people experience headaches, sensations of spinning or falling, and loss of erection.
Poppers are highly flammable. Keep away from cigarettes, candles, and lighters.
Studies show that poppers reduce the functioning of the immune system for several days after use.
Because poppers cause blood vessels to open, it is easier to get an infection, including sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.
Poppers pose extra risks for people who have suppressed immune systems, heart problems, low or high blood pressure, a history of cerebral hemorrhaging, anemia, or are pregnant.
Combining poppers with stimulants like speed and cocaine increases risks. Combining poppers and Viagra is dangerous because both cause blood pressure to drop.
Poppers can affect your judgment. If you are planning on being intimate, put on a condom before you use them.
To prevent spilling and evaporation, pour a small amount in a separate bottle filled with cotton and store tightly sealed in a refrigerator or freezer.

Source of information regarding poppers