However, the accompanying article is horrendous and lacks any actual journalism. It's practically a PR fluff piece for STFree, a new program that gives members sex licenses.
"Manhattan-based company STFree Certifications provides its health-conscious customers a sexual history "license" with a phone number on the back that enables them to prove their testing backgrounds to potential partners."The problem is that this program leaves so many loopholes, and in turn, it simply promotes unsafe behavior (especially the concept of protection-free intercourse). Where was the reporter when it came to asking the important questions like: How frequently do members get re-tested? Does STFree hold itself accountable if someone gets an STI (note: they aren't really referred to as "diseases" anymore, but rather infections) right after getting the card, and then unknowingly passes it on to someone else who trusted the program?
STFree is a great concept... idealistically. However, there's no way for it to achieve its goals, especially since the program is so small-scale and privately run. A brand like STFree requires ultimate trust and a hefty helping of government susidies aimed at STI prevention. The company began 4 years ago and is only now receiving any public attention. In a city that's home to millions, it's 15,000 registered members is the equivalent of zero on a grand scale. It took them 4 years to reach out to such a small group? They're not off to a good start at all.
And as NYMagazine points out, there's never a good time to just whip out a card and make a phone call in the heat of the moment.
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