Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

B1
Breaking the Sex Taboo
Facilitator’s Note:
Sexuality is a taboo subject, and in particular talking about sex that is considered
“immoral” or ”abnormal” and breaking traditionally sanctioned sexual practices.
Our views about what is “appropriate” sex leads to a lack of acceptance of people
who do not conform to our own, or the majority of society’s, views about what is
proper sexual behavior, fueling stigma against men who have sex with men (MSM).
Sex, our beliefs about sex, and how they lead to stigma against MSM, is the major
topic in this chapter, so we need to help participants talk openly about sex. These
exercises help to achieve this objective.
Use these activities on the second or third day of the workshop when participants
are comfortable with each other and feel free to talk together.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
talk more openly about sex and their feelings about “proper” and
“improper” or “immoral” sex
recognize that our beliefs about what is “acceptable” or “proper” sex is one
of the root causes of MSM stigma
Target Group:
Health care providers, the police, NGO and CBO staff, and the community
Time:
1 hour
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