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 Levi Maestro on STD Testing: ‘It Feels Good to Know What’s Up’ 

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Reported by MTV Act.

Photo: (MTV/GYT)

Levi Maestro is on a serious roll. The successful skateboarder and star of his own online series is now adding clothing designer to his list of accomplishments. Maestro is also an original member of Team GYT, MTV’s Get Yourself Tested campaign, so he gave us an update on his life and his philosophy for STD Awareness Month this April.

 

Catch us up on life, what have you been working on lately?

I have been shooting many videos and new episodes of my show Maestro Knows. I also began working on a new brand that I’m going to launch that will be skateboards and t-shirts. That’s coming in April and all the stuff is made in Los Angeles and I’ve been overseeing that—it’s been really fun. And I’ve been pushing to get my show to television, that’s been an ongoing process but definitely making progress.

+ WATCH: Check out one of Levi’s new projects with Vans.

What is your latest obsession, something you are really into that your fans might want to know about?

That’s a cool question! I think making these products I’m working on, it’s been really exciting to see stuff that I will use on a daily basis and it’s my own and an officially built brand. That’s been really cool, I’m doing it myself and I hope people will react well to it.

What inspired you to sign on to Team GYT?

Just the idea of being responsible for oneself, especially in the benefit of others. It makes a lot of sense to be prepared and to be aware. I can really appreciate that the GYT brand is trying to encourage that.

April is STD Awareness Month so what is one thing you think everyone should know about STDs or testing?

That it feels good to be aware. That’s how I feel, it feels good to know what’s up instead of guessing or wondering or hoping.

If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing about life or relationships what would it be?

To follow my heart, it always tells you the right thing to do. It’s as simple as that.

 Savage U Maryland: Your Weekly (Sex) Life Lesson 

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Sex and relationships columnist Dan Savage was at the University of Maryland for the premiere of Savage U tonight and he dug up all kinds of dirt on the dating and hook-up scene. It takes a LOT to shock Dan but his jaw dropped when a student visiting the school’s health center told him this story:

Get More: Savage U, Full Episodes

 

++The deets:

The student and his girlfriend Deb admit they are regularly having unprotected sex, without condoms or birth control pills. “When I’m in the mood, I’m not thinking about pregnancy,” he said. Both say they don’t want to have a baby, but just can’t be bothered with birth control or condoms.

++The (SEX)perts weigh in

Where to even begin! This couple is taking a huge gamble EVERY time they have unprotected sex. It’s hard to imagine why they would even go there– risking getting pregnant or contracting a sexually transmitted disease on a regular basis, and they can’t seem to come up with any excuse.  As Dan asked on the show, “Are you insane??”

Dan is completely distressed by this couple’s casual approach to not using protection, with good reason. About 1 in 2 sexually active young people will contract an STD by the age of 25. And a sexually active teen who doesn’t use protection has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant within a year. Those odds ain’t in this couple’s favor!

++The good news

Protecting yourself from STDs and pregnancy is easy if you plan ahead. And life can be a lot less stressful if you just take responsibility up front, instead of having to wonder after the fact.

++What you can do:
If you’re having sex (any kind—oral, anal or vaginal) be proactive and make a plan. There are many different methods of protection out there, so learn more in the What Works/What Doesn’t feature or talk to your doctor about what method works best for you. A few popular methods are:

  •  Condoms (when used consistently and correctly each and every time) are the ONLY method that can help reduce your risk of contracting an STD AND prevent pregnancy. Read up on condoms here.
  • The pill doesn’t provide any protection against STDs but it is 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly.
  • The shot protects against pregnancy for 3 months (which may be helpful for the more forgetful ladies out there) and is 99 percent effective when used correctly. But again, only condoms provide protection from STDs.

If you’re waiting to have sex, take a deep breath, you don’t have to worry about pregnancy just yet. But even if you aren’t having sex, know that some STDs can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, so consider using a condom if any sexual contact is going on.

For more information on sexual health visit It’s Your Sex Life and enjoy some of our favorite Dan-isms of the night below:

Best hair-cut advice:

“You should style your vulva however it is that you want to style your vulva”

Best SAT-style analogy:

“Women reading Cosmo and then having certain expectations are like guys watching hard-core porn and having certain expectations.” –Dan trying to convince ladies to put down the Cosmo.

Best relationship advice that applies to all areas of life:

“Stay in the game, say optimistic and don’t get bitter”

Best call out:

“That old song, ‘Oh I can’t feel anything with a condom’ is bull$#*!” –Dan putting the myth that condoms take away all sensation to rest.

 

 Give Thanks 

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Thanksgiving- the time of the year when we eat too much food and think back on all the things we are grateful for, like friends, family, relationships and our health.   And a big part of our health is living GYT: talking about STDs and testing with partners, using protection and getting tested.   Whether it’s talking with your partner about going to get tested or about using condoms or actually going to get yourself tested, it’s all about knowing yourself.   Like knowing what you want and knowing if you’re on the same page with your partner.   Your partner will probably be so grateful that you had the guts to bring up STDs and testing.   And if you’re going to GYT, you’ll thank yourself later once you have the peace of mind of knowing your status.   So why not give and receive some extra thanks this Thanksgiving season?   Get yourself talking and get yourself tested.

 

 Watch: MTV’s 10 Most Outrageous Sex Myths! 

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Ever heard someone claim that you can get an STD from sitting on a toilet seat? Or how about the myth that withdrawal prevents pregnancy? MTV sets the record straight on STDs, testing, and preventing pregnancy on the new special, 10 Most Outrageous Sex Myths. You’ll hear from Teen Moms and Vinny from Jersey Shore on what the biggest myth they’ve ever heard is.

Doctors and experts take on debunking the most outrageous myths and explain the facts to know. And GYT has all the info and recap here.

Checkout these highlights from the show.