LITTLE BACKPOCKET GUIDE TO
Safer sex parties
(ACT UP NY version)
ACT UP NY x The Love Tank
Like most things in life that bring us pleasure, sex parties aren’t without their risks. But most of these risks can be avoided if you go to sex parties well equipped to deal with them. The thing that makes afters risky is often just being unprepared.
Luckily, we’ve put together a guide to make sure you can have the best (hottest) time at your next sex party and look after your wellbeing at the same time.
This guide is for people who have either been to a chillout, have wanted to go to one, or maybe you have been invited to use chems with someone and are thinking about it.
It’s something you can read before you go and refer to (if you need to) while you’re there. It contains advice about how to look after yourself – how to do things safely – and how to look after other people – how to treat people with care, compassion, and kindness (the way you deserve to be treated too).
✺ The Love Tank CIC acknowledges the expert health and legal advice that informed this booklet. Thank you to the queer people — especially those with chillout experience – who helped create this booklet, and who pushed for it to be produced.
Helpful resources
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Measuring syringes
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Chemsex harm reduction resource
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Stericups
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Insulin needles
✺ In New York, pharmacies may or may not require a prescription to sell needles and syringes, but they are legally allowed to sell up to 10 per person per day without a prescription.
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Alcohol wipes
✺ Most pharmacies will carry alcohol wipes in-store. They are also available online.
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Tourniquet
✺ Some pharmacies will carry tourniquets in-store. They are also available online.
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Needle exchanges
✺ If you live in New York State, you can find your nearest needle exchange here: Syringe Exchange NY State.
✺ If you live anywhere in the US, you can find your nearest needle exchange here: National Syringe Exchange Map.
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Emergency situations
✺ If you’re having a mental health crisis: 988 Crisis Hotline NYC
✺ A video of how to put someone in the recovery position.
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STI self-testing kits
✺ HIV Self-Testing Kit from Together Take Me Home.
Free at-home HIV tests anywhere in the US. STI tests available in IN, CA, and OR.
Credits
RESEARCHED, WRITTEN, AND PUBLISHED BY
The Love Tank CIC, London, UK
TEXT IN CONSULTATION WITH
Controlling Chemsex
TEXT BY
Dr Benjamin Weil
ILLUSTRATIONS BY
Lynne Zakhour
DESIGN BY
Richard Kahwagi
This booklet is created and co-produced as part of the MAUREEN programme. Huge thanks to the MAUREEN mobilisers, and to the community translators.