🗣️ TAY HEARD: EXTRA

Y’ALL FUCKING, BUT ARE Y’ALL CHECKING?

Now I already know half the people who actually need to read this probably ain’t gonna read this shit. Some of y’all saw more than three paragraphs and immediately clocked out. 😂

Because who has time to read when you’re busy chasing the next hookup, scrolling through profiles, answering that 1:37 A.M. “wyd?” text and generally being outside doing entirely too damn much?

But stay with me for five minutes.

This Tay Heard: Extra isn’t about judging anybody for having sex. Have sex. Enjoy yourself. Be adventurous. Do whatever consensual grown folks do.

But if your sex life has a higher headcount than a damn Beyoncé tour, your healthcare routine cannot consist of “well, nothing burns.”

Baby, STAND UP. Or sit down, depending on what you were just doing. Either way, listen.

🗣️ YOUR THROAT IS PART OF YOUR SEXUAL HEALTH TOO

Some of y’all will protect everything except the body parts you’re actually using.

You will be giving that mouth overtime, double shifts and no PTO, then act completely shocked when somebody mentions getting your throat tested. Yes, your throat.

Because certain STIs can infect the throat, and some people don’t experience noticeable symptoms. So if you’re regularly having oral sex, especially with multiple partners a sexual health conversation with your provider should include the sites you’re actually using.

A basic test doesn’t necessarily check every possible infection site. You cannot tell the doctor, “Just check downstairs,” when upstairs has been hosting company all damn year.

🗣️ “BUT I FEEL FINE!”

Congratulations. So do plenty of people with asymptomatic infections.

Some of y’all determine somebody’s sexual health status using absolutely nothing but:

“He fine.”

“He smelled clean.”

“He said he gets tested.”

“He got a nice apartment.”

“He has a blue check.”

“Oh Bitch he a Libra”

WHAT THE FUCK DOES ANY OF THAT HAVE TO DO WITH A LAB RESULT?

Being attractive isn’t an STI screening. Having money isn’t an STI screening. Having 40,000 followers isn’t an STI screening. And somebody telling you “trust me” damn sure isn’t one.

🏳️‍🌈 AND YES, LGBT FOLKS, I’M LOOKING AT Y’ALL TOO

Sexual freedom is beautiful. Sexual freedom with absolutely no healthcare plan? Now you’re just freelancing with your immune system.

If you’re regularly having multiple partners, regular sexual-health screening needs to become normal:

Know your HIV status.

Know about PrEP if it’s appropriate for you.

If you’re living with HIV, stay engaged with treatment and keep up with your medical care.

Use protection where appropriate.

Get the testing that matches the sex you’re actually having, including throat or rectal testing when your healthcare provider recommends it.

Because some of y’all will have your head buried somewhere it ain’t seen daylight since Tuesday, but somehow going to the clinic is where you suddenly develop boundaries.

Please be serious.

🗣️ YOUR BODY DOESN’T GIVE A DAMN HOW MUCH FUN YOU WERE HAVING

This is the part nobody puts in the thirst traps. Health problems don’t always announce themselves dramatically.

Sometimes you feel a little off. Maybe your throat hurts. Maybe you’re tired. Maybe something doesn’t feel right. Then suddenly that little situation isn’t so little anymore.

Serious infections and other medical complications can put somebody in a hospital before they ever imagined things could get that bad. That’s why the point isn’t to become scared of sex, the point is to stop acting like consequences only happen to somebody else.

🗣️ AND SEX WORKERS, THIS COUNTS DOUBLE

If sex is part of how you make your money, sexual healthcare is basically occupational maintenance. No shade. That’s business.

A construction worker needs protective equipment. A hairstylist takes care of their hands. An athlete takes care of their body. And somebody whose work involves frequent sexual contact needs to stay on top of testing, prevention and medical care.

You can’t have your ass clocked in five days a week while your healthcare has been on vacation since 2024. Make it make sense.

❤️ THE POINT ISN’T “STOP FUCKING”

The point is: Stop fucking CARELESSLY.

Have your fun. Get your rocks off. Live your life. But take your ass to the doctor too:

Get tested regularly based on your risk and your provider’s recommendations.

Know what you’re being tested for.

Know which parts of your body are actually being screened.

Take prevention seriously.

And when your body starts behaving differently, don’t sit around hoping it’ll magically disappear.

Because today’s “I’m just having fun” can become tomorrow’s “damn, I really should’ve taken better care of myself.” And that ain’t nearly as sexy.

🗣️ TAY SAYS:

You can be sexually liberated without being sexually reckless. You can have multiple partners and still take your health seriously. You can do sex work and still prioritize prevention. You can suck, fuck, date, hook up, explore and enjoy being grown without treating your body like it’s disposable.

Because eventually the party ends. The hookup goes home. The notifications stop. And you’re left with your body and whatever decisions you made with it.

So have your fun. Just take care of your shit.

Because some consequences don’t leave when the dick does.

— TAY HEARD 🗣️ EXTRA