Being Anti-Marriage, Male Friendships & Telling Partners About STIs

This week in the Dear Clementine inbox:

• Being anti-marriage, I really detest everything a wedding symbolizes, and as a socially-anxious introvert I don’t enjoy them at all. Or maybe I’m just bitter and jealous because as a lifelong single woman I will never get the chance to be celebrated like a bride. I feel so conflicted when invited to a wedding - on one hand resenting having to spend money and time participating in something I dislike so much but on the other, feeling I should suck it up because it is important to people I care about. Thoughts?
• In the last twelve months I’ve had two male friends totally cease contact with me after commencing new ‘serious’ relationships. I’ve been friends with both for nearly 30 years. How do I navigate my emotions through this? 
• I contracted herpes when I was 19 and in an emotionally abusive relationship where he intentionally gave me herpes as a way of manipulating/ branding me… it has affected my ability to see my value as a sexual partner, 7 years on and I’m still just not quite sure how to navigate that conversation and shame when I’m trying to meet new partners.

CREDITS
Executive Producer: Edwina Stott
Audio Production: Adrian Walton
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

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