Texas State HIV/AIDS Conference

November, 2018

Sexual Trauma: HIV Risk and

Healing. Que podemos hacer?
Facilitated by
Josie Serrata & Jorge Vidal
Two-fold Story
Expanding the lens:
Gay men and HIV
Gay men and HIV
What I remember
Quote from one of my mentors:

“Changing the conversation from how are children

harmed from domestic violence to what do children
need? Children need to be able to talk about the
violence, but they need much more than that. They
need to express all of the dimensions that make them
who they are.” Ruby White-Starr
 Sexual
Abuse

Cultural
Gender
Values

Homophobia Racism/Colorism

Mental Context
Health Peru Vs.
US
What I needed to learn:
•Unlearn to validate myself through sex-alcohol use
•Sex was only about power
•To see sex from a historical lens-colonization
•Claiming my ability to say no
•Sexual violence regardless of penetration is abuse
•Men are also vulnerable to abuse
•My sexual orientation had no connection to my abuse
•That it was not my fault-I could be gentle, loving, kind, and feminine. This is
not an invitation
•Sex is pleasure and enjoyable
•Create boundaries
•Questioning myself when someone is abusive
•To name my symptoms-dissociation, flashback, trauma
•Be gentle with myself
Healing process:
Grounding: is being lined up with oneself and allowing maximum energy to flow
up from the ground and into the limbs and trunk and back to the earth again.

Boundaries: grounding opens the door to boundaries. They give us protection

and it also tells people where they are intruding.

Breathing: Is a way to honor and bring the body alive in us. Our breath no longer
reaches down to our genitals, no longer connects the upper and lower body.

Feeling: Allowing or entertaining the full range of emotions. We live in emotional

poverty

The Body in Recovery: John Conger

Grounding

Honoring
the
many ways
I am
different
Sexuality vs. Sex
Sexuality total expression of who you are as
a human being:

• your femaleness or your maleness. ... both

•body image,
•gender identity,
•gender role, sexual orientation,
•eroticism,
•genitals, intimacy,
•relationships, and love and affection.
SEXUALITY is:
•Union •Joy
•Communion •Ecstasy
•Passion •Rest
•Compassion •Openness
•Oneness •Play
•Birthing •Creativity
•Pleasure •Commitment
•Pain •Universe
•Fulfillment •Evolution
•Laughter •Wetness
•Ancestors •Awe
Imagine
“Sperm is offered in the love orgasmic echo of the birth movement of the
cosmos, chaotic energies dancing their way out into the universe of possibilities
of new life”

Sperm is life celebrating; it is warm and wet and precious---it longs to be

released. It is the culmination of struggle and play. It is both external and
internal, life-giving and life-taking”

“Sperm is very special. It is not just the ‘spunk’ or ‘cum’-though it is all that. All
the liquids we out have their purpose and their stories to tell: Tears tells us of
sorrow and grief and also joy and happiness; sweat tells us of our efforts physical
and intentional…What do sperm tell us? Sperm is ALL the DNA of our ancestors,
and mixed our utter uniqueness”

Mathew Fox
Organizational Level

a tree starts with its roots (values)

Capacity Building Training

API, UJIMA, Casa de Esperanza, Redwing Consulting
What does
it mean
to be a
culturally
specific
program?
HIV/AIDS Organization
You can not be an HIV/AIDS organization and not be SEX-positive

•Create a space for both education and celebration

•Talk openly about sex- celebrate it and praise it
•Do not victim blame
•Deconstruct the binaries- sexuality is bountiful. Bottom vs. Top
•Sex is fun and playful
•Expand your view of sex-it could also be mystical and sacred. Larger
concept: SEXUALITY
Culturally Specific Approaches:
Establish relationships based on mutuality and respect. Understands and honors a process
that is fluid, where organizations and community are constantly learning from one
another.

Tip: Be intentional about practices that embrace shared learning and uplift cultural wellness
and wisdom.
The organizational culture reflects the work that it promotes in the communities. Staff
and volunteers feel welcomed and part of the team. There is room to voice concerns
and share ideas. Be the change you want to see.

Tip: As part of the overall work of the organization, integrate practices that promote
self-care, shared decision-making and opportunities for healing and growth across the
board.
Culturally Specific Approaches:
Ongoing Self Reflection

Tip: Engage community and people you serve in processes that impact the overall
functioning of your organization

Seek a deep understanding of the communities you work with (socio-cultural and socio
political histories, as well as current context, intersections of oppression, trauma, etc.) and
centralize this cultural understanding in your work.
Tip: Inform and prepare yourself, and the rest of the staff, to address different forms of
oppression in addition to HIV/AIDS. Learn the common elements of oppression and how
they intersect in the lives of your community. Not knowing where to start and how to begin
this process in tangible ways may seem overwhelming at first. Do not hesitate to seek
guidance and support. Be mindful of your own biases and privilege as you address these
issues. Remember that dismantling oppression takes commitment, honesty and
detrmination.
Community- Centered Evidence-Based
Practice Approach
This is the
balanced
tree we
imagine.
This is the
tree we
often end
up with.
Healing Strategies:
• Energy work
• Readings
• Mentors
• Embracing silence and learning how to sit in silence
• Collective support
• Grounding elements
• Guided journaling
• Altars
• Oil work
• What works for you?
Q&A
Inspiration
In every community, city, or town there are places that feed our
soul.

Imagine you are making a map of your community, of those

places that inspires you.

Choose one place

How does this place feed your soul?
When do you go there?
How long do you stay?
How do you feel about this place?
Gracias!