Play Fair!

In 1982, San Francisco's health scene had hit crisis levels. STDs were spreading at a pandemic rate and the gay cancer of HIV/AIDS was contaminating everyone with fear and prejudice. Registered nurses Sister Florence Nightmare and Sister Roz Erection joined with a team of Sisters and medical professionals to create PLAY FAIR!, the first safer sex pamphlet to use plain, sex-positive language, practical advice and humour. In 1999, "Play Fair!" was re-issued and updated to be gender inclusive, encourage folks to use safer sex techniques, get tested for sexually transmitted diseases and lose the guilt.

This 2009 version is edited and presented by the London House of Common Sluts with the kind permission of Sisters of the founding House in San Francisco.

It is 25 years since the acronyms HIV and AIDS first appeared on the London Gay Scene but with new treatments and breakthroughs in research contracting HIV is no longer an automatic death sentence. However, whatever hopes gene therapies or other medical wonders might hold for us in the future we must not become complacent. A generation after the first HIV cases were reported HIV and STD transmission are again on the rise in our community.

We have not compiled this little pamphlet to tell you what you should or should not do. After all as we know, the safest sex you can have is still the sex you have with yourself. However, we realise that there may be times when you'd like to play with others. When you're informed about the issues and taking care of yourself and your partner(s), the experience can be fun and enjoyable for years to come. Self-Care and a festive attitude are the keys to a healthy and fun sex life.

Please remember that this information is not meant to be a substitute for your doctor or other professional medical advice. PLAY FAIR! is intended to give you the basics and encourage you to get informed, have fun and lose the guilt.

Click  the heart opposite to download the full pdf of
Play Fair! The Sisters Guide to Safer Sex