Workshops

Repackaging the Condom Question: Using Sexually Explicit Messaging to Inform and Eroticize Condom Use Among Men MSM

Daniel O'Neill and Brant Miller, DC LGBT Community Center

The aim of this workshop is three-fold: 1.) To present the history and concept behind the FUK!T Campaign, including the path to its launch and building of brand recognition, the FUK!T “business model,” challenges or pitfalls the Campaign has encountered, and research FUK!T has participated in using a provocative, sex-positive and assets-based approach to educating men about sexual health and resources; 2.) To provide an opportunity for participants to brainstorm with people from their same region/city the components of possible FUK!T spin-off campaigns and to take initial steps to realize those campaigns; and 3.) To strategize ways to expand the existing Campaign through the use of new media (mobile phone applications, online videos, etc.), identification of financial resources outside of restrictive government funding, and exploration of ways to overcome obstacles to using sexually explicit approaches as an effective way to educate gay men about safer sex.

For the first workshop segment, we will set the stage by giving a Powerpoint presentation describing the program, highlighting examples of assets versus fear-based approaches to public health messaging, alongside examples of the sexually explicit FUK!T PSAs, featuring well-known gay porn stars. During the second part of the workshop, participants will be guided by a series of prompting questions to develop their own regional FUK!T materials and website, working from ready-made Word-Press templates, photos, and other modifiable materials provided to all workshop participants on thumb-drives. Alternatively, participants would be encouraged to create their own, new brand of safer sex kit, if they prefer.