HMU Academy: Slutty & Secure - Rejection, Disclosure & Dating with Herpes

About the Class

Dating with herpes comes with challenges, but confidence and clarity can change everything. That’s why Safe Slut (Tricia) & Something Positive for Positive People (Courtney Brame) are teaming up for an interactive workshop on handling rejection and navigating herpes disclosure conversations with confidence.
Rejection Resilience (led by Safe Slut): Rejection is part of life—but it doesn’t have to define you. Learn how to separate rejection from self-worth, set boundaries that feel good, and navigate dating with confidence.
Herpes Disclosure 101 (led by Courtney Brame): Disclosure is more than just saying "I have herpes." Using the STARS framework, we’ll explore how to communicate needs, assess compatibility, and approach disclosure in ways that feel empowered, not apologetic.
This workshop is for anyone looking to date, hook up, or simply move through life with herpes feeling more secure, informed, and unbothered. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your journey, you’ll leave with tangible tools and a supportive community behind you.

About Your Instructors

Courtney Brame Courtney Brame is the founder of Something Positive for Positive People (SPFPP), a nonprofit supporting people navigating herpes stigma through peer support, education, and advocacy. Diagnosed with HSV-2 in 2013, he launched SPFPP as a podcast, amplifying real stories of resilience and empowerment. Over time, it evolved into a hub for emotional wellness, offering peer support calls, stigma-free trainings for healthcare professionals, and Yoga Therapy for people with herpes. Courtney’s work focuses on helping people process their diagnosis, navigate disclosure, and build confidence in dating and relationships. He also works with medical professionals to improve the way HSV diagnoses are delivered. At this event, Courtney will lead a disclosure workshop, guiding attendees through open conversations about sexual health and navigating stigma with confidence.

Safe Slut (Tricia) Safe Slut is a NYC-based writer, content creator, reiki master, adult performer, and activist. Diagnosed with genital herpes in 2019, she created @safe.slut to help people reclaim their confidence, destigmatize STIs, and embrace their sexuality without shame. Through her work, Tricia promotes sex positivity, safer sex practices, and self-love. She offers herpes support calls, reiki healing, and shares insights on sex and dating via her Patreon. She also hosts Getting Sloppy with Safe Slut, a web series breaking down sex and stigma.

FAQs

FAQ: what should I bring?

Bring your SELF!

FAQ: what should I wear?

Whatever you feel cozy in or your leaving work clothes.

FAQ: any skill pre-requisites? (i.e., is this for beginners, advanced, everyone?)

This is intended for people who have herpes, but anyone is welcome to come learn about rejection handling and discussing sexual health communication.

FAQ: can I attend solo, or do I need to come with a partner?

You can come solo but the more the merrier.

STAY IN TOUCH!

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✨Volunteers: Limited volunteer spots available. Please email [email protected] to express interest.

✨Location: Lower Manhattan. The space has an elevator. Please email [email protected] if you need any accessibility accommodations.

✨Full vaccination is required. While we recommend getting the booster shots, we are not verifying them at this time.

✨Consent Policy: All of our events are ASK FIRST events. The rules of respectful and consensual behavior WILL be enforced. You will be responsible for reading our consent policy and behaving appropriately. Read our consent policy in full: https://www.hitmeupnyc.com/consent

✨Membership: We reserve the right to refuse entry if needed. Hit Me Up also hosts private events which are invite only, and anyone new to Hit Me Up must apply and be approved to attend—no guests or plus ones. Please visit https://www.hitmeupnyc.com/join to join. You are welcome to inquire as to your status or that of your friends, but please do not act as if you have an entitlement to access our space or members. Building special spaces is hard, and while we are inclusive and welcoming, we reserve the right to curate our membership as needed to maintain our flourishing community. If you'd like to sponsor a new member please have them apply as soon as possible. If they wait until a few days before the event we cannot guarantee they will be able to be approved in time.

✨Please stay home if you are feeling ill or if you have had recent close contact with someone who tested Covid positive (within the past 5 days). You could be incubating and still test negative. Any requests for refunds for any reason will be honored up to the day of the party. Remember: safe, sane, and sanitary Just email [email protected] mailto:[email protected] and we will give you a full refund, no questions asked.

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