WiseGuyz: engaging young men in sexual health programming

In today's blog, our own Blake Spence reflects on the first year of the WiseGuyz Program.

The WiseGuyz Program began in February 2010 with a focus to engage young men in a sexual health program that would address their specific needs.  The research report we produced in 2008, Promoting Sexual Health for Young Men, confirmed that young men face significant barriers in accessing sexual health information.  We knew we had to learn the best method to present material and how to create a safe space for the group to discuss sexual health, relationships, and masculinity. Information was presented in styles ranging from a casual drop-in basis, to a facilitated group discussion, to a structured program.  We reached 52 young men in various settings during this phase of the project.

After piloting the program in various settings, we decided that focusing on the junior high population would have the most impact.  The transition to high school is significant. If young men are equipped with tools to help them deal with the pressures, decisions and multiple stresses teens face in high school, we are confident that they will have better outcomes overall.

Twenty-four grade 9 boys completed the program in 2010.  We are very proud of the program content, activities and skill building opportunities provided to the young men and the positive impact it is having.

The WiseGuyz program reached 76 young men and partnered with 3 Junior High Schools.

The first year of WiseGuyz has been amazing to be part of. We have created a program that I am extremely proud of as it is thoroughly enjoyed by participants and is fundamental to their development as responsible young men.

Blake Spence
WiseGuyz Program Coordinator

"I would like to thank you for brining WiseGuyz to Sherwood School. The boys have spoken very positively about it, and appreciate (and adore) you and your efforts.  I suppose one sad thing is that the more work you do with these boys, the greater need we see for programming such as this to help young men develop healthy skills, relationships and accurate knowledge about sexual health issues."
- Alex McKay, Principal of Sherwood Community School

AGM - Message from the Executive Director and President

Last night, we invited the community to join us as we took a look back over the 2010 year at our Annual General meeting. We are thrilled to report on an amazing year at the Calgary Sexual Health Centre.  We continued to focus on community impact and responding to emerging community needs.  We are offering new programs, finding new ways of interacting with people, and continuing to deliver the core services we have provided to the community for 39 years.


We are particularly proud of our partnerships and collaborations with community organizations. We have worked with determination to ensure that sexual and reproductive health is accepted as an integral part of human development across the lifespan.

Seniors A GOGO is a great example of how our collaborative model has created an environment for innovative and sustainable program development:

From the beginning of this work, we knew that sexuality and older adults was a topic few felt comfortable addressing. Seniors A GOGO tackled this challenge by developing and performing the "Viva Vintage Monologues", a series of stories that explore sexuality in a humorous, warm and thoughtful way. This led to very successful performances at public libraries, and other venues throughout Calgary.

We were less successful reaching seniors directly. Traditional taboos still leave many seniors feeling uncomfortable talking about sex and sexuality. We learned that the senior's community was not yet prepared to have open conversations about sexuality.

As with many of our programs, we took what we learned and created a professional development workshop. "Supporting Sexual Health with Seniors" is delivered to nursing and LPN students, as well as other professionals that regularly provide support to seniors as they transition in their lives.

We now have successful partnerships with the nursing schools at Bow Valley College, the UofC and MRU. Seniors facilities also began to recognize that, as the population was changing, staff would have to feel comfortable addressing sexuality issues. Training has taken place at some care facilities in Calgary and we look forward to more partnerships in 2011.

As this program moved into its second year, we set up "Seniors A GOGO Service Providers Collaborative". Professionals who work directly with older adults are helping to guide the next steps in our work with seniors, and advocate for the inclusion of sexual health within seniors care and support services.

Seniors A GOGO has been generously supported, but only with project funding. We knew this valuable work needed to be maintained and the demand for programs would increase. The Viva Vintage Monologues were made into digital stories to enable us to use them in future programs and training. In 2011, we will be selling a curriculum package for service providers that includes a DVD of the digital stories.

Members of the Seniors A GOGO theatre troupe have become agency volunteers and still perform for live audiences. We continue to offer ongoing training to students and professionals who work with older adults.

In 2011, we will begin advocacy work to ensure the sexual health rights of older adults are respected and that professionals understand their roles and responsibilities in this regard.

We have successfully adopted this model in many areas of our work. We know it is very important to first normalize sexuality for service providers and clients, and then develop appropriate programs that address their specific needs.

We are also dedicated to finding innovative ways to ensure our programs are sustainable. This has led us to develop social enterprise initiatives and to create an ambitious three year fund development plan. We are committed to seeking additional funding partners, and increasing our independent revenue, so that we continue our essential work long into the future.

Moving into our 40th year, we remain fiercely committed to building a society where sexuality is celebrated, diversity is embraced, reproductive choice is assured and sexual health is seen as an integral part of us from birth to old age. We remain unswervingly loyal to our vision and to continuing to find new ways of achieving our goals.

We want to take this opportunity to thank the staff, volunteers and community partners whose efforts led to the successes of 2010. To summarize this work, last year our 12 staff and 30 volunteers:

    - partnered with, and provided programs to the clients of, 65 organizations
    - presented at 11 conferences
    - attended 22 community events
    - participated in 18 community collaborations and committees
    - established 3 advisory committees

 
In total, we reached 42,343 Calgarians with programs, information and resources regarding healthy sexuality. As a result, all of these Calgarians are closer to achieving sexual well-being.

Thanks to our funders and donors for ensuring we have the resources necessary to complete our work. And, thank you to all of our community supporters who help the Calgary Sexual Health Centre thrive and remain a vibrant part of our community.

Seniors A GOGO Too! A little older, a little wiser...

Hot off their performance at this year's Fairy Tales Film Fest, our Seniors A GOGO group is ready to take the spotlight once again! 

In celebration of Seniors Week (June 6-12), we are pleased to unveil the follow-up series to our ever-popular Seniors A GOGO digital stories.

Join us for a gala presentation of a new series of digital stories, developed by Seniors A GOGO.

     Thursday, June 9th at 2:00 pm

     Garrison Green Seniors community Theatre

     3028 Don Ethell Blvd. SW

     Wine and cheese reception to follow the show.

About Seniors A GOGO

Have you ever wondered why no one talks about sexuality after 60? Our Seniors A GOGO group of dedicated seniors has been working to provide insight into just that. This committed and tenacious group has been meeting, laughing and sharing their experiences with love, loss and sexuality to create a series of stage readings, monologues and digital stories.

 

Seniors A GOGO is a partnership of the Calgary Sexual Health Centre, The Senior's Action Group and the Foundation Lab.  We are committed to breaking down the barriers to better address the sexual health needs of Calgary's aging population.

The "First Time"...Part 2

Our next episode of the “How To Be A Sexpert” podcast is PART 2 of our discussion about “First Times”.

When it comes to sex, the pressure of the first time can cause all kinds of anxiety.   To reduce the stress, it is really important that you feel ready for the experience.  So, before you get into the heat of the moment, decide if you are ready to become sexually active.

In this episode of our "How To Be A Sexpert" podcast, our SexPerts talk about their decisions and thoughts about "First Times".

Seniors A GOGO to perform at Fairy Tales Film Fest!

We're thrilled to announce that our Seniors A GOGO troupe will be taking the stage at this year's Fairy Tales Gay & Lesbian Film Festival!

Have you ever wondered why no one talks about sexuality after 60? Our Seniors A GOGO group of dedicated seniors has been working to provide insight into just that. This committed and tenacious group has been meeting, laughing and sharing their experiences with love, loss and sexuality to create a series of stage readings, monologues and digital stories.

Their performance at Fairy Tales will follow a screening of the documentary "GEN SILENT" which tackles the subject of GLBTQ Seniors aging alone. 

Directed by Stu Maddux, this film reveals how the generation that fought the hardest to come out is going back in to survive.

Thursday June 2, 2011

7 PM | The Plaza Theatre | PG

 

We're excited to have our Seniors take part in the Fairy Tales Film Fest this year! 

For details about the GEN SILENT film, check the Fairy Tales website at http://www.fairytalesfilmfest.com/home/2011/4/19/outed-film-gen-silent-tackles-glbtq-seniors-aging-alone.html

Is Homophobia in your vocabulary?

When was the last time you heard a gay joke? Last week. How often do you hear people use the words "fag" or "dyke" as a compliment? Never. When someone says something is "totally gay" what are the chances they mean something positive? None.

Derogatory jokes and comments about sexual orientation are so common that they have become accepted as part of our everyday language. So what's the big deal? Well, these seemingly harmless jokes and remarks are hurtful and send a strong message that being LGBT (lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender) is unacceptable. They are part of the reason that many LGBT teens don't dare come out and suffer in silence instead of risk alienation from their peers.

It's called homophobia.

Today - May 17th - is International Day Against Homophobia.  Today offers all of us another opportunity to make a concrete effort in our own lives to counter homophobia.


What is Homophobia?
Homophobia is an irrational fear and/or hatred of same-sex attractions that can be expressed through prejudice, discrimination, harassment or acts of violence (known as "bashing"). When this prejudice and discrimination is directed at transsexual and transgendered people it is known as Transphobia.

Homophobia and transphobia are not just experienced by people who are LGBT but by people who are thought to be LGBT because they do not necessarily fit in with assigned gender roles.  This demonstrates confusion about gender and sexual orientation. Gender refers to the behaviours that a culture assigns to being male or female.  Sexual orientation is who you are sexually attracted to.

Heterosexism is the assumption that everyone is, or should be, heterosexual and that heterosexuality is the only normal, natural or good expression of sexuality. This attitude pervades our culture and impacts the day to day lives of  LGBT individuals.  Through language, culture, media, and institutions LGBT individuals receive the message, “you are not included here”.  The result is a homophobic culture that fears rather than includes LGBT individuals.

Homophobia and transphobia are easier to spot because they involve behaviour that actively puts LGBT people down. Heterosexism is less likely to be noticed because it doesn't mean that LGBT people are being negatively targeted but that the whole world excludes them – it is in the air they must breathe.


What can we do to fight Homophobia?
Fight heterosexism! 

What is heard!

Be conscious of what you say and do on a daily basis to exclude LGBT citizens.  If you are a teacher, parent, counselor or coworker, use the term “partners” when referring to intimate relationships and ask, “Are you seeing someone?”  rather than “Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?” 

Remove derogatory comments and jokes about sexual orientation from your own everyday language.  Today is an opportunity to let your children, friends or co-workers know that from now on slurs such as "fag(got)", "dike", "homo" and any other derogatory remarks toward gays and lesbians will no longer be tolerated out of respect for gays and lesbians and their immediate families.

What is seen!

Whether you are a librarian, own a car dealership or are a youth worker, be sure to display messages and materials that represent all sexual orientations and show gender diversity.

Let’s work towards a vision of a society that embraces diversity in all its forms.  A society where all members regardless of their sexual orientation or gender feel accepted and celebrated for who they are and their unique contribution.

We invite you to share this blog with your networks, and help continue the conversation.

Thank you.

Youth & Sex: Answers to some Frequently Asked Questions!

In honour of International Youth Week, we are sharing some answers to a few of the common questions we receive from youth about sex and sexuality   For more information about these topics, and many more, visit us online at www.calgarysexualhealth.ca or give us a call at 403-283-5580.

If I talk to my teacher or school counsellor about sexual issues, do they have to tell my parents?

It depends. Information you share is usually kept private unless there is a risk of harm to you or another person. For example, if a young person told a teacher or school counsellor that he or she was being sexually abused, the counsellor may have a responsibility to report it. If you are unsure and concerned, before you share details you can ask if the type of information on your mind can or will be kept private.

Can I see a doctor without my parents’ permission to get birth control?

Yes. If you are worried, ask your doctor how they feel about keeping your information private from your parents. If you don't like what you hear, you can go to one of the Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinics in Calgary. These clinics have services just for young people, and will respect your privacy. They also have birth control and condoms at lower cost. You can also talk to a counsellor at the Calgary Sexual Health Centre about your options. But we are not a clinic and cannot give you a prescription for birth control.

Can a person masturbate 10 times a day?

Everyone is different. Some people masturbate every day and other people don’t. If you want to masturbate ten times a day and it isn’t getting in the way of school, homework or other responsibilities, then it is up to you. If you masturbate a lot, you may want to use a water-based lubricant like K-Y Jelly (you can buy lubricants from any drugstore) so that you don’t irritate your skin.

What does Popping the Cherry mean?

Popping the cherry is a slang term for when a woman has vaginal sex for the first time and her hymen stretches and bleeds. A hymen is usually a very thin layer of skin. It is naturally stretched with physical activity, sexual activity or using tampons. Some may bleed a little and some may not.

A hymen that has not been stretched is often considered a sign that a woman has “lost her virginity”. Most women actually don’t have am “intact” hymen by the time they start having sex. To have a good first experience with sex it helps if both people feel relaxed and aroused and are paying attention to what feels comfortable physically and emotionally. The key here is to talk to each other and go slow.

What makes people gay?

Scientists still aren’t sure whether people are born with their sexual orientation or whether it develops over time. What they do know for sure is it’s not something people can change about themselves. A person might want to use the label “gay” if they find their sexual attraction is mostly toward people of the same sex as themselves. It is normal to have some sexual feelings or a lot of sexual feelings for people the same sex as yourself. Attraction is as simple and uncontrollable as who makes your heart flutter. Curiosity and attraction toward people the same sex as yourself is totally okay and it’s up to each person what label, if any, they want to put on it.