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Strengths-based: This values individuals and communities as key social agents of change not only with dilemmas, uncertainties, and responsibilities but also with considerable brilliance, resilience and creativity. It allows space for community members to see themselves as the solution rather than the problem.
Participatory: The process of creating programs and policy efforts must include community input which can be imperfect, messy, and time-consuming. Yet it can also be deeply invigorating, inspiring, and necessary if service providers are to remain anchored in the realities of the communities they profess to serve.
Sex Positive:This means being uncritical of desire, disease, or power while engaging in discussion about community sexual ethics. It is essential to focus on the sex people are having; how they feel about sex; how they seek to experience and learn about sex and bodies
before, during and after sex. Sometimes sex happens in irreverent celebration, communion and joy, and other times it happens in the silence of self-reflection or in the poetry of anonymous park sex. Sex cannot be turned into a two-dimensional, unexciting activity because we are trying to reduce new infections. We must address desire not repress desire.
Self-Reflective: Sitting with unanswered questions is often uncomfortable, but the process can support our work. We agree. We disagree. Sometimes we argue stubbornly and defend our positions. Again and again, we challenge one another and our community partners with fundamental questions which can then lead to solutions.
Staying anchored in a simplified approach to HIV prevention with messages about using condoms and getting tested is not enough. Flexibility and openness will be key in the continuing development of new efforts to reduce new infections
SOURCE: HIVPLUSMAG
As usual, you are 100% accurate again, my friend! In order for any prevention/education strategies to be successful, they must be culturally sensitive, nonjudgmental, realistic and relevant. Like you noted, community input is essential.
ReplyDeleteI want to thank you for your efforts to extending HIV awareness and prevention beyond the annual World AIDS Day observance. You have inspired me to try the same. This past year, I've written several articles regarding education and risk reduction. My friend, your example has motivated me to do more in 2011.
Keep up the good work, brother! We need more like you in our world!
Great plan! It's been proved effective. Good job that you're doing. Too bad that it's needed almost thirty years later.
ReplyDeleteso sexy
ReplyDeleteI have worked in prevention and outreach and I tell you that many of the methods being used in many locals just doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteHow can one educate or create a curriculum when their own experiences haven't taught them to fully understand.
Being privy to work with some of these people (outreach/prevention specialist) I've learned that the past helps to make a path for the future.
After reeading this, I'm even more impressed by you as a man & even moreso as a caring human being.
ReplyDeleteOne.
ROGER - I WILL BE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU IN 2011!
ReplyDeleteNEKKIDFURRYBOI - WELL IT IS BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!
ReplyDeleteBJORNS - HOW ARE YOU GUY?
ReplyDeleteCHET - YOU SHOULD SHARE MORE OF YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THIS AREA.
ReplyDeleteMOANERPLICITY - THANK YOU! THOSE WORDS REALLY HIT ME!
ReplyDelete