Sex is a natural and pleasurable part of life, and it’s important to be well informed so you can make healthy decisions if you choose to become or remain sexually active.
If you have any questions about sex, consent, protection, birth control, STI’s, or anything else related to sexual health, or if you would like to join Guttman’s Sexual Health Taskforce, email us at SexualHealth@guttman.cuny.edu.
Consent
Consent means to agree to do something. In regards to sex, consent means all participants agree to engage in a sexual activity. It is a knowing, voluntary, and mutual decision. Sex should not be forced or coerced, and consent is an important step in having a healthy sexual experience
Obtaining Consent – Always obtain enthusiastic consent first. Enthusiastic consent means that your partner is excited and happy to engage in sex. Enthusiastic consent is NOT when your partner agrees to have sex because they “give in” to pressure or are too fearful, tired, or confused to say “no”.
Do not assume you are on the same page—ask your partner. Check in with your partner periodically. Make sure that your partner is comfortable with what you are doing together. If your partner says “no”, “stop”, pulls away, pushes away, seems uncertain, or gives any cues (verbal or nonverbal) that they don’t want to continue being touched, stop.
Giving Consent – communicate with your partner about what you are comfortable with and what you are not. Tell your partner how, when, and where you want to be touched. You are never obligated to engage in any sexual behavior at any time regardless of whether you are in a committed relationship or not, whether you have already had sex, or if you said “yes” at some point in the past. You have a right to change your mind at any point.
Use protection
Use a male condom, female condom, or dental dam, each and every time you have sex. For more information on how to use a condom, click here.
Communicate
Ask your sexual partner their sexual history– any history of STIs and when they were last tested.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections that are passed from person to person through sexual activity including vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Many people with an STI have no signs or symptoms. The only way to know if you have an STI is to get tested.
Take this quiz and see what you know about HIV.
Find out more information and facts about HIV and Aids.
What is PrEP and PEP?
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): PrEP is a daily pill that can help prevent HIV before you’ve been exposed to HIV
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis): PEP is an emergency medication that can help prevent infection after you’ve been exposed to HIV.
Find out more information about PrEP and PEP.
Protection
Condoms and dental dams are the only form of protection for STIs. Some STIs can be transmitted simply by skin-to-skin contact (HPV and herpes), and since condoms do not cover the entire genital region, one can still contract herpes or HPV (human papilloma virus) even when using a condom. It’s helpful to get tested at least once a year.
If you want to prevent pregnancy, you have options. Click here to learn about the various birth control methods, their effectiveness, and which one is right for you.
Emergency Contraception (birth control)
Did you have sex without contraception? Maybe you forgot to take your pill, had unprotected sex, or the condom broke. Emergency contraception can be used to stop a pregnancy before it starts. It is not the same thing as the abortion pill. For it to be effective, use emergency contraception as close to when you had sex as possible.
Plan B – A pill that is available over-the-counter without a prescription. Similar to birth control pills, but a much higher dose. Take within the first 72 hours after you had unprotected sex.
Copper IUD – This is the most effective. Have a medical provider insert it within 5 days.
Ella– The newest emergency contraception pill. You must have a prescription. Take within 5 days.
Click here for more information about Emergency Contraception.
If you need a pregnancy test, go to The Women’s Resource Center (Rm. 506B), Wellness (Rm. 507), or Single Stop (LL 020 or 021). They can provide you with an at-home pregnancy test for free.
What is the most effective way to prevent STIs and pregnancy? Not having sex (abstinence).
If abstinence is not right for you, use a condom + birth control (IUD, pill, etc) to prevent STIs and pregnancy.
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is any sexual contact or behavior that happens without the consent of the victim (i.e. rape, attempted rape, unwanted sexual touching, forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, etc). Find out more about sexual assault.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and any verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature at work or school. Find out more about sexual harassment.
If you were sexually harassed or assaulted, you can contact the Title IX Coordinator who works directly with students who are facing issues related to sexual harassment. Visit the Guttman Title IX webpage for more information.
You may also reach out to Wellness (personal counseling) and speak with a Wellness Clinician if you do not want to make an official report or are unsure if you want to report or not. Wellness remains confidential and offers counseling and support. Visit the Guttman Wellness page for more information.
Key Campus Contacts:
Linda Merians, Title IX Coordinator
646-313-8023
Linda.Merians@guttman.cuny.edu
Anastasia Koutsidis, Public Safety Director
646-313-8001
Anastasia.koutsidis@guttman.cuny.edu
Courtney Stevenson, Associate Director of Counseling Services and Wellness Clinician
646-313-8165
Courtney.stevenson@guttman.cuny.edu
What to do if you were recently raped:
Find out more information from The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault.
Sex is a natural part of life and can be a lot of fun and pleasurable. It can also trigger some unpleasant emotions like anxiety and shame based on past experiences or thoughts and beliefs you may have about sex. While those emotions are very normal, it’s important to recognize and process how you feel and what you think about sex.
Many people confuse sex, love, intimacy, and commitment, or assume they always go hand-in-hand, however that’s not true. There are many ways to express love—sex can be one of them but you don’t need to have sex with someone to show them you love them and having sex with someone also doesn’t mean that you love or are in love with them. The same can be said for intimacy. Sex is a wonderful way to feel close to someone and be intimate, but it’s not the only way. Having sex in a committed relationship can bring people closer and be a fun part of a relationship, and so can having sex in a non-committed relationship. Whether you have a one-night fling or are in a long-term relationship, it’s important that you respect and trust your partner and feel respected and trusted by them as well.
If you would like a safe space to explore how you feel and what you think about sex and relationships, stop by or email Wellness. A counselor can help you identify and process your thoughts and feelings in a confidential setting.
Bedsider.org – informative sexual health resource
Planned Parenthood of New York City– provides an array of sexual health services. You can book an appointment online for most services. If a service is not available online, call 212-965-7000.
Medical Mobile Van – Community Healthcare Network– provides primary care health services, PrEP and PEP services, HIV testing and treatment, STI testing and treatment, condoms, emergency contraception (Plan B), birth control, pregnancy testing and counseling, and other sexual health services.
For more information, call (212) 486-4110 or (212) 358-4107. To find out where the mobile van will be today, follow @CHNNYC on Twitter.
Project STAY– Confidential health services for ages 14-24. Provides STI/HIV testing, home testing, birth control, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception (Plan B), HPV vaccine, PEP/PrEP. Call or text Renee Cohall at 646-245-4000.
Call or text Renee Cohall at 646-245-4000 to make an appointment or get more information. If you’re interested in PEP/PrEP you can text or call our specialists at 917-580-1682.
Walk in GYN Care– Provides pap smears, STD testing and treatment, on-site sonogram, well-woman package, contraceptive counseling and management, emergency contraception, pregnancy evaluation, and a breast feeding support group.
200 West 57th Street, Suite 608
New York, NY 10019
917-410-6905
Monday through Friday: 8:00AM – 7:00PM
Saturday 10:00AM – 3:00PM
28-18 Astoria Blvd.
Astoria, NY 11102
917-410-6905
Monday through Friday: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00AM – 3:00PM
Callen-Lorde– offers screening for STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and hepatitis A and B without symptoms), diagnosis and treatment for STIs for patients with known exposure, diagnosis and treatment for symptomatic STIs, prevention education and risk reduction counseling to minimize risk for STIs and HIV, and HIV counseling and testing.
Call 212-271-7200 to schedule an appointment. Walk-in hours available on Saturdays from 8:30-3:15 for STI testing
356 West 18th St.
New York, NY 10011
3144 3rd Ave.
Bronx, NY 10451
230 West 17th St.
New York, NY 10011
The Center – provides HIV and AIDS prevention, education, and support. Call 646-556-9300 for more information.
GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis) – provides STI and HIV testing, HIV education, support groups, and more.
307 West 38th Street
New York, NY 10018
1-800-243-7692
The Institute for Family Health– offers contraceptive counseling and services including condoms, the pill, the patch, the ring, Depo injection, copper IUD, hormonal IUDs, implants, and emergency contraceptives at low cost or no cost.
Locations:
The Institute for Family Health at 17th Street
230 W 17th Street
New York, NY 10011
212-206-5200
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM-8:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
Family Health Center of Harlem
1824 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10035
212-423-4500
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM-8:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM-6:00 PM
*Opens at 10 AM the first Wednesday of the month
Amsterdam Family Health Center
690 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10025
212-865-4104
Monday & Wednesday: 8:30 AM-8:00 PM
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
*Opens at 10 AM every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month
Cadman Family Health Center
300 Cadman Plaza West, 17th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:00 AM-8:00 PM
Tuesday, Friday, Saturday: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Walton Family Health Center
1894 Walton Ave
Bronx, NY 10453
718-583-3060
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8:30 AM-7:30 PM
Wednesday, Friday: 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Saturday: (ECHO Clinic) 8:30 AM-12:00 PM
*Opens at 10 AM on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month
Urban Horizons Family Health Center
50-98 East 168th Street
Bronx, NY 10452
718-293-3900
Monday & Thursday: 8:30 AM-8 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 8:30 PM – 5:00 PM
*Opens at 10 AM on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month
**Closed the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month
Stevenson Family Health Center
731 White Plains Road
Bronx, NY 10473
718-589-8775
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:00 AM-8:00 PM
Friday & Saturday: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
*Opens at 10:00 AM on the 1st and 2nd Thursdays of the month
How much do you really know about STIs? Test your knowledge and get your questions answered.
Thursday, April 29, 3:00 pm
Questions? Email sexualhealth@guttman.cuny.edu
