CARNAL NATION

Ah, the wonder and beauty of contemporary culture! Gone are the days when sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were unheard of and all one needed was a little spit to make it through the night. Pity, but c'est la vie. You do raise the issue around the rise of latex as a fetish, particularly in the United States, where our fear factor is through the roof with the help of an alarmist media. Clearly anyone in the know since 1981 or so, has begun using latex with much frequency (hence the rise of latex allergies as well).

Unfortunately "safe" is not really guaranteed in anything in this world—riding the bus, dentist appointment, getting a mani/pedi), and especially not sexual activity, but there are certain options that are safer than others. Knowing what is clearly safer than not is valid and important. I might add though, that many "diseases" are not "discovered" until they are discovered; so if you wish to be super safe, your options will be mightily limited. On a final note, although I suggest you question your need for self preservation so fiercely, I also commend you for your desire to be informed and creative.

To be clear, you are worried about STDs and would like to have fun sexual activity, particularly with rubber right? If that is indeed the question, then let's look at some options.

Mutual masturbation: watching each other stroke, slap, suck, and fuck can be really hot. Use your own dildos/toys and don't worry about another person's goo, ew! And if you seek company: let them watch you; you watch them. Whatever works, super easy, super fun, super "safe."

If you must touch/penetrate, latex is your friend. Wear latex gloves (I suggest sexy black ones) and use a sturdy well-made non-expired condom. Change the gloves and condom as much as necessary to keep bacteria away. Check your partner for open sores, etc. If you're turned off or find something you don't want to get near, don't make the person feel guilty. Find a way out that says "I'm not in the mood tonight," and, if possible, broach the subject when you are no longer in the heat of the moment.

Rubber/latex clothing is a great addition to one's wardrobe. It looks beautiful, cleans easily, and is so much like a second skin that you can feel every little movement from the outside. Rubbing with hands or other latex-clad body parts (don't forget the silicone lube), ice, vibrators—all will work wonders outside the latex. I recommend getting some inexpensive shorts to start, from say, Westward Bound or The Latex Store (tell 'em Minax sent ya). Play around with the various sensations until you determine what you like, then prepare for the next step!

So your shorts are fun, and you know how to play with them. Perhaps you've even found a rubber fetish playmate! Well then, how about some more advanced pieces like a catsuit from Cocoon or an inflatable and suspendable body bag from Studio Gum? Yummy! Add a remote electro e-stim device, like the ET302R, and you've got a party where you will never have to touch skin again!

if you still crave penetration but are afraid of condoms and the catsuit won't do, try a latex cube with an insertable entry point made just for you or your friend. One of you can wear the catsuit while the other is suspended and fucked in the cube. Yowzah!

Rock on Rubber Soul! Enjoy your new semi-safe sex life!