Gay men, safer sex, mini-series

[Posted by Paul Causey on MSM-Asia mailing list, 2010-08-14. Embedded Youtube video found HERE.]

Safe sex lesson wrapped in a gay drama

With its raunchy scenes and dialogue, appealing male characters and realistic local settings, the mini-series, Love Audition, is a form of entertainment that the average gay man may find hard to resist.

Enjoying watching such a straightforward depiction of their lives, they may be unaware that the programme is also indirectly educating them about safe sex.

"Our audience hasn't perceived our mini-series as a campaigning tool but a real series they can actually enjoy," said Vitaya Saeng-aroon, a producer of the series shown on the Mango TV satellite channel.

The first season centres on a bet among three friends aged in their early twenties to use condoms whenever they have sex.

Targeting viewers aged 18-24, the series is not shy about portraying the lives of young gay men - nightclubbing, "bitchy" talks, onscreen kisses and some bizarre sexual encounters.

The temptation for characters to skip condom use is high. For example, character Pom's long-term boyfriend cites "mutual trust", while Ae is tempted by an unsafe choice offered by an attractive stranger.

But they have to learn to overcome temptation and find ways to negotiate with their own desire as well as others' libido in a bid to win the bet.

"There has been so little information in the mainstream media about HIV prevention that is specifically tailored at this high-risk group," said Mr Vitaya. "The media has been so reluctant to talk about actual things in a way that both educates and engages audiences."

Feedback he has received so far convinces him that his series works.

"Viewers have enjoyed it, meaning they could have absorbed our key messages at the right moment. We aim for behavioural change," he said.

Funded by the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the first season can be viewed on YouTube.

The second season, supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), will focus on drug use in the same age group.

The series is an example of an innovative way to engage young people in sex education and how to deal with sex in a safe and healthy way, its producers say.

But in a highly conservative society like Thailand, this kind of approach has rarely been adopted by parents, educators or the mainstream media.

The Public Health Ministry reports a rapid increase in new HIV cases among men who have sex with men. This group accounts for a quarter of new infections.

About half the young people in other groups also refrain from condom use.

Given these trends, health campaigners say it is time to break the taboo on sex and overhaul sex education in a truthful and non-judgmental way that adolescents will find easier to digest.

A recent survey by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) reveals that most youngsters aged 9-11 seek answers about sex from their friends, and lack understanding about contraception or prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

UNAids in 2008 said about 40% of young people aged 15-24 did not have accurate information about HIV.

Sirikorn, 17, said she and her school friends often talk about sex and sexual desire.

"I'm not shy when talking about it. My friends also share [intimate] details about their boyfriends," she said.

Nattaya Boonpakdee of ThaiHealth said teachers, parents and the media should start "vaccinating" the younger generation against sexual harassment, STDs and unplanned pregnancies by giving them the information they need.

This vaccination must go beyond the traditional promotion of abstinence, she said.

The mainstream media brands sex as a negative thing which shuts the door on communication with young people, who will not be so easily turned away. The entertainment industry can play a role in educating and helping audiences, she said.

Another challenge is to integrate sex education into schools.

Since young people want to know about sex, it is important for teachers to communicate in an accurate and non-judgmental fashion, said Philip Bergstrom, a reproductive and sexual health adviser to Unesco in Bangkok.

The Education Ministry has developed a curriculum and trained teachers in selected schools but needs to go further, he said.

Young people need to be prepared so they can solve problems themselves, without being told about what they should do or should not do, he said.

"Give them the information they need so they can make healthy, smart choices," he said.