I went along to Adult Themes, a six-week gay sexual education workshop for guys aged 18 to 29 held in Sydney by the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON).

In a circle of chairs, men de-construct all things sex, contrast what they do with what is most commonly pleasurable, learn the health science side of it all and comfortably talk in a very secure environment with the background metronome of safe sex messages.

Despite how sparse the workshop was, with the content conveyed through volunteer facilitators equipped with their voices, markers, a whiteboard, butchers paper and a singular power point slide show of anatomical diagrams, the value of this program remains undiminished. Any imaginings of ‘Adult Themes’ being a pink Champagne-fuelled party with live, pornographic orgies for demonstrations should be immediately dispelled.

The first session saw the definition of some very concrete ground rules. Any inappropriate behaviour was not to be tolerated. The attendees were to be respectful and mindful of the others’ differences: “Don’t yuck my yum.”

Following this was oral anatomy, accompanied by kissing and rimming. Did you know that tears along the gum line through brushing too hard can be an entry point for HIV? (although admittedly you would need to be gargling a lot of semen or blood) The fact that micro points of susceptibility like that existed was a point unbeknownst to many in the workshop group. This was paralleled by some very useful techniques like nullifying the gag reflex through proper angling, having the person being the mouth control the rhythm, communication (no surprise ejaculations, please) and being aware of your limits by practising on delicious ice cream sticks.

Other sexual activities were covered in a similar depth, and each point of possible health concern was highlighted. From the cock to the ass and everything in between, with a lot of focus on condoms. The group got to go through a large range of expired condoms (with their thumbs only) and the different types of lubricant, noting how they all differ to each other.

The rest of the program included more general sex information, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases and infections, oral anatomy, kissing, rimming, the cock, cock sucking, masturbation, orgasms, the male g-spot – the prostate, fucking, condoms, lubricants, the ass, anal sex and the healthy pathways to initiating all this.

Despite the repetitive drumming of careful safe sex practices, the six-week course was not only unanimously valued by all of this group’s attendees, they really enjoyed having such a safe sphere for all this learning and had some humorous discussions along the way too.

Pre-empting the spread of HIV/AIDS and STIs through learning about them, is an incredibly worthwhile undertaking. Programmes like this are necessary until our education systems match it in quality of information – that is, after sex is de-stigmatised in schools, homophobia eradicated and the average gay, lesbian, transgender or intersex student feels comfortable enough to vocalise questions about their sexual wellbeing and the nasties that lurk within this taboo realm. This is a long way away with most being closeted or completely uncomfortable asking such questions amidst their friends, straight mates and formal education environment.

Adult Themes is a specific sex workshop run by ACON for those aged 18-29. Others exist for different age ranges. For more information, see their website here.

Similar programs are run all around Australia though at different frequencies for the varying populations:

Australian Capital Territory
AIDS Action Council of the ACT
http://www.aidsaction.org.au/

Northern Territory
Northern Territory AIDS and Hepatitis Council
http://www.ntahc.org.au/

Queensland
Gay & Lesbian Welfare Association (GLWA)
http://www.glwa.org.au/

South Australia
AIDS Council of South Australia
http://www.acsa.org.au/

Tasmania
Gay and Lesbian Support and Information
http://www.glccs.org.au/tas.html

Victoria
Victorian AIDS Council /Gay Men’s Health Centre
http://www.vicaids.asn.au/

Western Australia
Gay and Lesbian Community Services WA
http://www.glcs.org.au/

If you know a better link for your state, please leave a comment below.