SPFPP Episode 131: Obsession with Truth - Featuring Laureen HD

Two years in the making, we finally get blessed with the presence of Laureen HD! Her YouTube channel was one of the first resources I found after my herpes diagnosis. After reaching out, she was mid-move out of the country so there was a slight delay. I just hit record because I knew if I didn't, I'd have regretted missing out on all that awesomeness we had in here about silence and our discomfort with it as a society. Laureen and I exchange dating stories around the idea that it's easy to assume that because we do this work, that potential partners already know we have herpes and they've done their research on us prior to leading us on. We discuss rejection and the alternatives to a person turning us down when we think it's for our herpes diagnosis. Turns out, it could be a number of reasons and we discuss some examples and get into the fact that people just have preferences.. We talk about why Laureen decided to begin her channel and decide to be open about her diagnosis and her initial non-disclosure that encouraged her to do so. We also get into how Laureen stays consistent having run her channel for 4 years now and then we talk about some feedback she's gotten being open. Some major takeaways are that when it comes to publicly disclosing, we may seek a sense of liberation, but that comes from feeling empowered to inform ourselves in the first place. Prior to making the decision, it's important to assess your surroundings and decide if that's something for you. Consent and disclosure going hand in hand, all sex educators aren't freaks and last but not least, obsession with truth as a motivator for consistency. You can connect with Laureen by visiting her YouTube Channel: Laureen HD - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2vsS87934_IfCbRThqL7sA Instagram: @LaureenHD Save 20% off your first at home STI test kit from LetsGetChecked when you visit www.TryLgc.com/spfpp and please don't forget that spfpp there. Get 10% off your first month of counseling/therapy at www.betterhelp.com/spfpp