Article written by Rahmel Reid

First and foremost, unless it’s been passed by Congress and signed by the President — nothing is “Law”. But when it comes to the term “Raw is Law”, both metaphorically and literally (in my opinion), the answer is still no. Raw is law is a mindset and sex practice that has been prevalent in the gay community since the 1980s. Whether it’s with a partner, friend with benefits or anonymously — the mantra alludes to barebacking with all of the aforementioned without any second thoughts. According to a recent study, 46% of gay men have either had unprotected sex or currently participate in unprotected sex on a regular basis. But what I take away from this, is that it is indeed a choice. One that I hope is met with the most caution and due diligence. So let’s take a look at the whole Raw is Law concept and how we should approach it in the LGBTIA+ community.

First things first, protect yourself! While we certainly aren’t the judgmental type, we have to express that safe sex is always not only the suggested, but the best sex practice there is. Condoms allow you to fuck responsibly and worry free. And yes, I know there can be some discomfort with condoms — there can be a certain smell, the friction or even causing some to lose their erection… but none of that compares to your health. And with so much advancement and new technology applied to condoms today, there are some out there that essentially feels like your fucking bareback anyway. Remember folks, we’re looking to catch a good sex vibe, not an STD. Strap up!

Next up, it’s probably best to not make assumptions about others and their sexual activity. While you may be more “open” and promiscuous in your sex life — don’t assume that others are comfortable with the “raw is law” mindset. Having a conversation about this and being fully transparent about your practices/habits is a part of fucking responsibly. Especially if you intend on fucking someone that you have some sort of a relationship with. Someone could be so into you but when it comes to sex, they may not be so comfortable with sleeping with a person that bareback fucks any and everyone. Yes, sex is incredibly pleasurable but there are things that we have to be concerned about. And if your sexual activity, history or choices make them feel anxious — you have to respect that. So having an honest conversation is an absolute necessity.

That leads to this very important point — get tested! This is a message to everyone! The “raw is law” people, the condom lovers, hell… even the oral only enthusiasts. We should all be getting tested, both anally and orally. People who partake in raw fucking should maybe get tested a bit more frequently (depending on how active you are and with how many partners) but everyone should make it a priority to be tested regularly. And taking a screen-shot of your most recent results isn’t a horrible idea, because baby some will ask to see those receipts.

What’s one of the best ways in todays society to prepare for any type of sex? Get on PrEP! What is it? PrEP stands for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It’s a medication that can reduce your chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. About 41% of gay men are currently taking PrEp, which has been drastically effective in stopping the spread of HIV within the community. Whether you are a safe only or raw is law kind of a person, we should all learn more about PrEP and the options available, to see if it’s suitable for you.

Lastly, we’re all adults — so you have the right to do whatever it is that pleases you, as long as you’re not causing harm to others. Does raw fucking happen? Absolutely. More often than not. In a committed relationship is probably the best traditional way to have unprotected sex. But we know that gay culture isn’t all that traditional. So if you are going to engage in raw sex, consider getting on PrEP. Get tested and know your current status before engaging in the act with others. Start a dialogue and be fully transparent about your activity and intentions. Again, it’s a judgment free zone here but I will urge everyone to not be down right reckless. Sex is great, but adulting (and doing what adults do), comes with some responsibility.

July 05, 2022 — Andrew Christian
Tags: Sex Tips