Report - Sida Studi

Friday 30 September 2005: New Trends
7 Plenary session 2: Education & Entertainment
7 Plenary session 2:
Education &
Entertainment
7.1 The Safe Sex Comedy Show, Amsterdam
In the afternoon the conference enjoyed a presentation by
the Safe Sex Comedy Show from Amsterdam. The group
comprised young men and women who treated us to a
series of sketches illustrating a range of subjects around
HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, sexual
health, relationships and sexuality. Through this medium
the conference heard from a range of characters each
talking about these subjects in imaginary situations. The
performances included representations of the nervousness
and anxiety with which people approach their first
sexual intercourse and especially the pressure boys feel
because of the assumption that, ‘…you gonna know what
to do’. We heard too about the career of ‘Mr Herpes’ and
his family of sexually transmitted diseases; and about
the desperation and isolation felt by young women
abandoned in pregnancy by young men who, ‘…came
and saw and … disappeared’ leaving them to become a
woman who is still only, ‘…a child carrying and growing
a child inside’. There was a call from a young woman to
challenge sexism in social life and service provision. We
followed a young man through his experiences of visiting
an STI clinic and another who was ‘Janet trapped inside
the body of John’ and another macho man ending with
a challenge to deal with homophobia and sexism, and all
other assumptions we make about other people’s sex and
sexuality, to ‘mind our own’. More information about the
Safe Sex Comedy Show is included in appendix 5.
7.2 Forum discussion
The performance was followed by a forum discussion in
which the performers responded to questions and comments
from conference participants. In reply to a question
about how they had formed the group, the performers
explained that they are all entertainers working in
Amsterdam and they were convened into a group through
word of mouth. Asked about whether they worked in
schools and the reception the performances get, they
noted that their experience was as yet limited to working
in two schools where the show had been positively
received. It was noted that they distributed condoms to
students as part of the performance.
In response to a question about whether either a script or
recording of the performance was available, the performers
pointed out that a DVD may be accessible through
Juan Walter but that there is no script available for circulation.
They noted that they wrote their own scripts and
thought that they could not perform in the way that they
did unless they spoke from their own hearts, although
they emphasised that the development of material did
involve consulting with other young people on a local
basis so as to ensure cultural relevance. Replying to a
question about whether audiences seem to find the material
culturally relevant and to an observation that the
material is both relatively explicit and heavily influenced
by Black American culture, the group noted that there
was no driving intention behind their work to achieve
cultural inclusiveness but recognition. This they felt had
been achieved since they recognised these references
themselves as young people.
It was also noted that the performance could be modified
to suit particular audiences. Another questioner concurred
with this view but asked how teachers and parents
responded to the performance. The performers noted
that teachers were shocked about things that were said in
the course of the show but they usually accepted that the
response of young people was an accurate assessment of
its relevance and appropriateness. They noted that this
was reflective of a wider issue about generational differences
and that the gap between what young people want
and what adults provide is growing. They emphasised
that in matters like HIV/AIDS, in their view there was
no choice but to talk about sex and sexuality in ways
that are understood by young people. Asked if the group
itself was representative of young people from a strong
religious faith background, the performers reiterated the
point that the performance could be modified to reflect
the specific needs and concerns of groups of young people
and acknowledged that they would consider additional
consultation or involvement with young people from a
strong faith background in order to be able to represent
their experiences faithfully.
Juan Walter provided some additional background information
about the demand placed on him by supporting
the show. He noted that the process involved providing
education, supporting self-exploration, and helping with
the development of material.
Since this segment overran significantly, a proposal to
cancel the planned workshops for the afternoon was
accepted and the session closed with the performance
of two rap songs written by a member of the Safe Sex
Comedy Show.
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