Abstract:
Purpose: This participatory workshop will encourage attendees to reflect on the degree to which their research and professional activities in sexuality either promotes or counters a social justice framework. Attendees discover the importance and influence of their own positionality in their scholarship and gain requisite skills to prepare a positionality statement to inform their professional practice (Takacs, 2003). Attendees will adopt a critical lens to their existing, ongoing, and future work. As such, the workshop will help attendees decenter traditional practices and approaches in the field of sexuality that have led to the marginalization and/or pathologizing of communities of color, queer experiences, and matters of gender. The workshop will utilize critical lines of inquiry such as critical race and critical queer theories, as well as an introduction to emancipatory frameworks such as liberation practices and radical healing (Mosley et al., 2020; White Supremacy Culture, n.d.).
Issues: Scholars have called attention to the need of critical science and culturally competent practice in the field of sexuality (Fahs & McClelland, 2016; Hargons et al., 2021). These calls have highlighted the reality that the field of sexuality centers white, cisgender and heteronormative perspectives. Fortunately, the communities that are harmed by the centering of this perspective have been and continue to produce scholarship and practices that mitigate and work to undue the harms experienced (Brown & Strega, 2015). However, the fields of sex and sexuality will continue to benefit from all professionals working to contribute to the collective knowledge of the field and engaging in new practices. The challenge for some in rising to the call is an uncertainty about how to move forward. This workshop will assist attendees wanting to move to praxis in their work.
Overview of Session Activities: The workshop will include a participant self-assessment. Minimal didactic elements. Small and large group discussion and "collective brainstorming" Anticipated Participant outcomes Attendees will leave with a clear sense of how their future work can challenge harmful theoretical frameworks and methodological practices. Attendees will have next steps on how to promote the values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in their professional work.
James E. Brooks, PhD
Pronouns: He, Him, His
Assistant Professor
Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology
School of Education
Indiana University, Bloomington
Karen John, PhD
Doctorate in Developmental Psychology/Research
Masters of Science in Education (General and Students with Disabilities)
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Educator, Podcaster, and Humanitarian
Melissa P. Lemons, PhD
Pronouns: She/Her
Assistant Professor, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Wilmington University (Delaware)
Fruitful Conversation counseling practice
Yael R. Rosenstock Gonzalez, MA
Pronouns: She, Her, Ella
Founder, Kaleidoscope Vibrations, LLC
Creator, Sex Positive You
PhD Student: Health Behavior, IU Bloomington & Center for Sexual Health Promotion
Justin A. Sitron, PhD
Pronouns: He, Him, Él
Associate Professor
Center for Human Sexuality Studies, College of Health and Human Services
Director, Interdisciplinary Sexuality Research Collaborative
Widener University