There is risk inherent in any contact between two people. As human beings, we suffer from occasional infections, we become infected with viruses, and we cough and sneeze and touch in ways that transmit our afflictions to others. Some forms of human contact are riskier than others, and they happen to be the most desirable and delightful. They fall under the heading of sex, an activity that comes in many forms, but in essence involves one person coming into contact in some way with the most vulnerable parts of another. Smart sex is all about minimizing the risk of intimate contact between two people while maximizing the pleasure.

As a gay guy, there will probably come a time when a straight guy asks, confused, why you'd let another guy stick his dick in your bum. For anyone inexperienced in arseplay, getting fucked can sound painful and it's hard to imagine how it could be pleasurable at all. Those of you having a good time bending over for some D will know how it can get you harder than ever and have you shooting cum like crazy.

This guide was developed and written by gay men living with HIV in Ontario. We wrote it for gay men living with HIV whether you are a long-term survivor or have been diagnosed with HIV more recently. We talked with many gay men living with HIV, including guys from diverse ethnoracial communities, urban and rural guys, working guys and guys on disability assistance and young and older guys.