We were sitting at Filter in Hillcrest, working diligently on pub health work, as we always are. Then suddenly a couple of tall figures waltzed into the coffee shop, dressed as a dominatrix type nun, faces painted stark white with colorful eyeshadow painted on like a work of art. These are the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. To outsiders they may appear to be just another spectacle in the gay community, but they really are much more than that. In fact, they are actually public health figures in the community. They can be found out most of the time, imbibing with their fellow community members, but something sets them apart. They use their outlandish looks and gender-bending attire to gain attention and then spread a wealth of knowledge about AIDS prevention and safe sex practices. They hand out condoms that are packaged in educational guides for proper condom application and how to negotiate condom use. I view this as a type of marketing for the gay community. These waking advertisements are not only role models, but reminders to everyone at the bar (a high risk population) that AIDS preventions is as simple as wearing a condom and by posing as a bar "conversation piece" these figures can stir up conversations about condom usage, increasing the social acceptability of AIDS prevention and decrease the chances of risky behavior. However this is not all they do. They are champions in the community who strive to enact change in policy through raising community awareness and community building. This is definitely a unique take on health communication.
No comments:
Post a Comment