How Sex Education Training Videos Can Be More Inclusive

Author: Dfusion (United States)
Author Contact: dfusioninc.com
Published: 2nd Dec 2022 - Updated: 5th Jan 2023
Peer-Reviewed Publication: Yes
Additional References: Education and LGBT Publications

Summary: The article explores several lessons learned about inclusivity during formative research and video production efforts.

Definition

LGBTQIA2S+: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit with the + indicating other identities not listed.

Main Document

Using LGBTQIA2S+ Inclusive Practices When Filming Sex Education Training Videos: Lessons Learned.

Sexuality education often fails LGBTQIA2S+ students, few of whom report ever receiving inclusive education at school. Yet sexuality education classrooms have the potential to be safe, affirming, and inclusive spaces if educators receive training to develop inclusion skills.

Enter SkillFlix for Educators, a streaming video training platform created to improve educators' skills in facilitating sexuality education to youth, regardless of the curriculum. Developed by social science R&D firm dfusion inc. (Scotts Valley, CA), Skillflix for Educators offers short training videos filmed on a simulated classroom set using professional actors and film crew.

In a newly published article for Health Promotion Practice, the dfusion research team notes that the goal of inclusivity informed all aspects of the video shoot, from drafting of scripts, scenes, and characters to the actors hired and the props used on set.

The article explores several lessons learned about inclusivity during their formative research and video production efforts. Important insights came from both LGBTQIA2S+ expert advisors to the project and LGBTQIA2S+ actors and production staff hired for the videos. Three key lessons are described:

Avoid siloing the inclusion: Project advisors made it clear that offering a single module on LGBTQIA2S+ inclusivity was insufficient. As one advised, "We need to think of inclusiveness across skills," woven into the classroom fabric, not silo LGBTQIA2S+ issues to a single lesson or topic.
Use inclusive design strategies: To model inclusivity in the videos, the project team needed to not only create multiple LGBTQIA2S+ storylines and characters but, additionally, to cast LGBTQIA2S+ actors who brought their insights to the production, offering real-time feedback on things like tone and dialogue. Several actors expressed excitement over playing a role that matched their identity. One actor explained, "As a young nonbinary demisexual, shoots and programs like these are very meaningful to me."
Create welcoming/inclusive workspaces: The project team noted that "the skills we hoped to teach educators became the skills we needed to enact on set." Staff dedicated time to comprehensive introductions of actors and crew, sharing names, and pronouns, responding to icebreaker questions and reviewing behavior expectations. Ensuring safe spaces and privacy options for changing/ breaks, having staff wear tags identifying their pronouns, and immediately responding to misgendering and microaggressions all contributed to an inclusive production environment.

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Behind the scenes at the SkillFlix video production shoot - Image Credit: dfusion, inc.

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SkillFlix for Educators

SkillFlix for Educators is currently being evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. The Skillflix for Educators project (9/30/2020 to 08/31/2023) is funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Grant Number: 1R44HD102288-01A1.

Citation:

Barrett M, Laris BA, Firpo-Triplett R, Kuhn T. Using LGBTQIA2S+ Inclusive Practices When Filming Sex Education Training Videos: Lessons Learned. Health Promotion Practice. 2022;0(0). doi:10.1177/15248399221139300b.

Authors:

Mia Barrett, M.Ed. is a Project Director at dfusion Inc in Scotts Valley, CA.
B.A. Laris, MPH is a Senior Project Manager at dfusion Inc in Scotts Valley, CA.
Regina Firpo-Triplett, MPH, MCHES is the Chief Executive Officer at dfusion Inc in Scotts Valley, CA.
Tamara Kuhn, MA is the Vice President at dfusion Inc in Scotts Valley, CA.

References and Source(s):

How Sex Education Training Videos Can Be More Inclusive | Dfusion (United States) (dfusioninc.com). SexualDiversity.org makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith. Content may have been edited for style, clarity or length.

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