In this story, Leif and Birgir don’t use lube during anal sex. Which makes it so much less fun, and can lead to the tearing of anal tissue and thus a higher chance of getting an STI. Lubes can be water-based, silicone-based, or oil based, just remember never to use silicone-based lubes on silicone sex toys, and never use oil-based lubes on latex barrier methods. Water-based lube works with everything, but can dry out a little quicker as well.

They also don’t use a condom, perhaps because they don’t have them at the North Pole, or because they’re a couple (although this still doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s no chance of STIs). For those of us outside the Arctic Circle (and especially with new partners), protection is easy to use and available! 

For more on the intersections between gay liberation and labor politics, we were really really moved by the film Pride. Don’t judge us, just watch and weep. And then after you’ve watched and been inspired, here are some resources on the history of queerness in Marxist thought!