I’m in “don’t ask, don’t tell” hell.

I’m concerned about HPV, STDs and cancer. But because I’m in the military, I’m unable to see my doctor about these concerns. Once I tell my doctor I’ve had gay sex, he or she’s obligated to tell my superiors (“don’t ask, don’t tell”) and I’ll be discharged. Are there any solutions? Is there anybody else I could see confidentially? Thanks.

I feel bad for you and all the others in the military who are denied adequate healthcare because of that ridiculous “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. First of all, you can go to a doctor for a routine penile and throat STD screen because, as we all know, straight men get STDs too. If you’re worried about anal problems, you could always say that a woman put her finger in your butt against your wishes. The other option is to find a gay or gay-friendly doctor off of the base and ask for an anal STD screen. Since most insurance companies have a right to see medical records if they pay the bill, you might want to pay for the exam in cash. Good luck.