Understanding and Challenging Stigma toward ... - Pact Cambodia

Coping with
Stigma
Example Responses:
The examples below are not the required answers, and you are not expected to read them
out loud. They are included to illustrate the type of responses expected and can help you
identify issues you may want to raise, if they are not raised by participants. However, you
should let each group come up with their own ideas. Remember: there are no right and
wrong answers.
Stigmatizing situations faced by MSM
Father tells you that you have to be a “real man.”
MSM kept waiting and mocked at clinic. Police
intimidate MSM. Community makes fun of MSM.
Friends at school make fun of MSM.
Pushed out of the wat/temple. Not allowed to
enter certain bars and restaurants.
3. Paired role playing: Explain that we will now practice how to challenge
these forms of stigma and discrimination, taking one issue at a time. Then give the
following instructions (using the example of a father telling his son to be a real
man):
Everyone stand up and find a partner. Face your partner. A is the father, and B is
the MSM son. In each pair agree on who is A, who is B. (Wait until they decide.)
The situation is: the father tells the son that he should be a “real man.” The son
should respond in a strong and confident way. Act out the situation. (Ask pairs to
start their role plays.)
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