Growing up in Devonport and understanding safe sex hasn't been easy. I've found it frustrating how we preach safe sex, but essential products for safe sex are not available in local stores. Dental dams can be purchased online, however, I can't help but notice the barriers this creates, especially for young LGBTQIA+ groups.  This is why; I have decided to create a petition, I hope we can all get down, for dental dams!

Whether you're a women having sex with women, a man who doesn't like the taste of 'down there', or something in-between, dental dams have a wide range of usages.  It's not JUST for lesbians; dental dams can be used for all types of safe sex. But LGBTQIA+ people deserve access to sexual safe supplies. Unfortunately, this can't be seen in our stores.

As a community, we should all ensure health products are easily accessible and as socially acceptable as male condoms. Did you know that the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2024 counted almost 5% of Australians over 16 as LGBTQIA+, that's around 910,000+ Australians! The great thing about Australian is our value of having a fair go. I raise the concern, by not having dental dams in our local stores it isn't fair. 

So, what should we do about this? Let's urge our local pharmacies, independent, and chain stores, to stock more diverse safe sex products. Let's bring more awareness on what safe sex is, and how this can look for LGBTQIA+ communities. This action does not only benefit LGBTQIA+ groups, it benefits the whole community. We should all be advocating for a safer, inclusive, consensual environment where safe sex is the standard. Safer sex means a safer community!

I ask of you; to please consider signing my petition to ensure all Aussies can have safer sex. Let's make dental dams a common item in our stores WITH male condoms. Together, we can all get down, for the dental dams!