With increasing numbers of people travelling to far and ever more exotic holiday destinations Over The Rainbow will consider some of the implications of travel for your sexual health.

An incredible one in five gay men in the UK catches a sexually transmitted infection while away on holiday.

Suggestions from Over The Rainbow to protect yourself whilst on holiday and to help you enjoy that holiday fling, without bringing home any unexpected holiday souvenirs.

Condoms

Make sure you take a supply. In some countries they may be out of date and not kite marked. You can get free condoms and lube from Over The Rainbow.

BE-PREPARED!

Lube

Be careful which lube you use as all oil based lube will corrode the condom. Don’t use sun oil and be careful when putting on the condom if you have sun oil/cream on your hands this will also harm the condom.

Booze

Don’t get dehydrated drink plenty of water before you go out boozing and it’s a good idea to drink more water before you go to sleep this will help with the hangover in the morning.

Gay Guides

Check out the latest gay guides and find out more about your holiday destination. Links to gay guides can be found on Gay.com or Gaytoz.co.uk

Local Culture

The foreign office and commonwealth office advises you to find out about local culture, customs and laws of the countries you may be visiting.

Some countries find it offensive to see open displays of affection between 2 people of the same sex.

In some countries it is customary to walk down the street hand in hand with another man/woman. However, this may be acceptable to the locals from that area/place but be offensive if you were to display openness like this.

Beware that some police forces in the world have been known to entrap men by hanging around gay cruising areas in certain countries.

Be wary of people who may want to befriend you they may have a hidden agenda and want to rob or harm you in some way.

Don’t accept packages from people you have just met or befriended. Whether they are from the country you are visiting or someone else on holiday at the same place as you.

Make sure you get travel insurance as well as sexual health insurance i.e.; take condoms with you!

A Health initiative by Billy Clarke SSN for Over the Rainbow.