Vox Pop: Sex Educators Tell All

Posted by Guest Blogger on February 8th, 2011

Who better to get involved in our “Let’s Talk About Sex” theme than vox pop host, writer, and sex educator Francisco Ramirez? Check out what happened in his latest video “Sex Educators Tell All” below.

Let me get right down to it: many of our sex ed and HIV prevention messages are stale. Stale like newsstand candy and Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No.”

I know, I know… maybe it’s wrong for me to say that, being a sex educator myself. But it’s true.

So, when MTV Staying Alive asked me to create a fresh, new Vox Pop in line with the “Let’s Talk About Sex” campaign, I was all about it. But, on one condition: this time, the ones coming clean about their private lives would not be your ordinary “gal/guy-on-the-street,” but HIV educators and counselors themselves.

See, when educators say, “let’s talk about sex,” we usually have one thing in mind: getting YOU to talk about your own sex life. But, if we’re going to talk about sex in a way that makes a difference, we have to do so honestly—and from all angles. Otherwise, it’s back to the stale and crusty.

Curious to know what happens when we turn the cameras on these sex educators? Click below, and see for yourself.

http://www.vimeo.com/17289814

Francisco Ramirez promotes sexual well-being for all people. As a global consultant, he works in HIV and sexual well-being for the United Nations and other organizations. Francisco also offers “Free Advice on Relationships, Sex & Dating” to passersby in New York City. Join his sexual revolution at http://franciscoramirez.org. (Video directed by Mia C. Villanueva of www.narragroup.com)

Want more? Check out: Francisco’s first Vox Pop: “When Was the Last Time You F’d Up?” Debut article on Francisco Ramirez or check out some of the extra pictures we took during the shoot.

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Talk about it
86 Comments...
  1. Jose says:
    February 11, 2011 at 6:42 am

    Creative way to talk about hiv/getting tested. Many years ago I worked as safe-sex educator. I quickly got bored with the stale methods of outreach and health education…so, this is a fresh way to continue the conversation. Interesting how some people working within the field do not get tested often…

  2. herman chan says:
    February 11, 2011 at 9:35 am

    Best Line: “i wash between the cracks, so i’m clean”
    fabulous job francisco, please keep up the good work. the world needs more ppl like u!

  3. Fiona says:
    February 11, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    Amazing job francisco!! My friends and I were so happy to have met and talk with you in the park. You have a great approach and nothing seems off limits! Right away we feel comfort and trust when we talk with you which isn’t always the case with the subject of hiv/sex. Thanks for the great advice, we use and think about it everday! Can’t wait to bump into you at the park again! Lots of love and hope to see more of you!!

  4. logan says:
    February 11, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    This is a great thing. Too many people are merely careful and forget to actually get themselves tested on a regular basis. I like how this encourages a simple and honest dialogue about sex and health. Francisco does us all a great service here and we need more people like him! Give the man a show, MTV!!

  5. Joey says:
    February 11, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    Once again I am so glad see MTV’s SAF giving young adults information about why its important to get tested and practice safe sex. MTV could of easily put together some cliché PSA with a celebrity, but instead enlisted the advice and stories from REAL people and got REAL answers. Everyone is afraid of getting tested including myself. We need more raw and relate-able series like this (online or on MTV) to remind us that we don’t need to be so scared because so many of us feel the same. Keep it up!

  6. MM says:
    February 11, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    I love this! It is so nice to see honesty about fears around HIV testing. Even sexual health educators feel afraid! It’s so important to let people know that their fears are normal and ok so that they can comfortably address them and then face them. The number one thing we need around HIV is honesty and Francisco is doing an amazing job starting an honest, compelling conversation! More, more, more!!

  7. Jorge says:
    February 11, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    Entertaining, intriguing and fun! Glad to see Health/Sex Educators stepping up to the plate and sharing their thoughts and fears on a subject they deal with on a daily basis. It’s the first time I’ve seen something from Francisco Ramirez, Great Energy!

  8. Erica Seppala says:
    February 11, 2011 at 8:37 pm

    Francisco, thank you so much for this great message about HIV testing. Your warm, down-to-earth way of addressing this issues really helps people to understand the common fears, and why it is so important to actually get over the fear and just get tested! The more open we are about our fears and concerns, the easier it is to deal with them, because we know we are not alone. I can’t wait for your next video, keep up this important work!

  9. Susan says:
    February 12, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    The streets are alive with the sound of wisdom.
    Shout it out Francisco Ramirez! It’s a message that needs to be heard. Through whispers, friendly chats, poems, frank conversations, or even via megaphones….the point is that the message is heard, internalized, and of course acted upon.

  10. grace says:
    February 12, 2011 at 8:42 pm

    thanks for helping us think about our actions!!!

  11. Jorge says:
    February 13, 2011 at 3:35 am

    This is great because we, the public health workforce, can only move forward in our fight against HIV by facing the very questions that we ask of the communities we serve. I think Francisco’s video highlights that stigma is still one of our (everyone’s) greatest threats to healthy sexual lives for HIV-negative and HIV-positive people alike.

    Also, it’s not just about the last time one was tested; it’s also about the last time one had unprotected sex. I think there could be more dialogue about those “slip-ups,” those times that a person might not have used a condom because they were drunk, high, really horny, were in love, didn’t have one, wanted it raw, etc. I think we all mess up sometimes, but until we can talk about those moments, we can’t develop individual strategies for protecting ourselves and having great hot steamy sex at the same time :)

  12. Addie says:
    February 13, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    One of the things I like most about Francisco’s approach is its honesty and awareness. I feel we’re never going to get anywhere unless we really see ourselves as a collective. We are all able to make mistakes, but we also hope to live exciting, sexually fulfulled lives. With the power of the internet, I also feel it’s a safe and effective place to get the messages out to those that are afraid to go to public sources to get information or to admit to their own insecurities of getting tested. Looking at this from the educator’s angle as well as the average Jo on the street is so smart because it lessens that divide between all of us. Sex educators are no more immune from this important issue than we are, and it’s great to see them willing to speak so frankly! I am also curious of hearing from sex therapists and psychologists on the various reasons we fear getting tested, or even using protection to begin with. Great and diverse strategies on dealing with such a challenging topic!

  13. tatyana says:
    February 13, 2011 at 5:08 pm

    After hearing all those sex educators sound off, especially the one who found out he was HIV positive, I’m starting to think it *could* happen to me: time I got tested.

  14. Elisa Singh says:
    February 13, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    Loved this video. Francisco you rocked it!

  15. AO says:
    February 14, 2011 at 3:24 am

    This is the second MTV video I’ve seen with Francisco Ramirez on sex. I’m not sure if there are more, BUT THERE SHOULD BE. I really liked how accessible it is. I mean, you get to hear from men & woman of all different races being honest about their hang ups about being tested. Some of them really resonate with my hesitations of getting tested. Can’t wait for the next…

  16. Juniper says:
    February 14, 2011 at 7:02 am

    Super positive way to begin dialogue about a very important issue! I know i need to get tested again soon, and this might just be the push that gets me there.

    Good job Francisco!

  17. Sarah Alvarez says:
    February 14, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    This is very honest and Francisco’s positive look at getting tested was inspiring. Wonderful job Francisco and keep doing these positive projects for the community.

  18. Alyssa says:
    February 14, 2011 at 4:30 pm

    Great job Francisco! It’s important to continue to dialogue about why we don’t get tested. It’s also valuable to hear from people about what life is like after getting tested; whether you find out you’re HIV positive or negative. Looking forwrad to seeing the next video!

  19. Maryam says:
    February 14, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    What an important piece – thanks for hosting Francisco, asking the important questions and of course being open to hearing the honest answers. Keep the videos coming!

  20. Alex says:
    February 14, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    Thank you Francisco! Asking Health Educators about their testing history really illuminates how challenging it can be to go and get that test. Please keep your excellent work coming! I’m loving it!

  21. Akello says:
    February 14, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    Overall, I applaud any and all efforts to create an open dialogue about HIV Testing and HIV Awareness. Knowing Mia, the director personally, I KNOW she is committed to social justice and positive, transformative change through the power of film/media. However, It is in my nature to be honest and I have a few comments/points of concern:

    - I have mixed feelings about the presentation of the subject matter by the host being TOO FUN and TOO upbeat. It tends to reduce the serious nature of the epidemic and the serious nature of a potentially life-threatening condition.

    - Don’t get me wrong about this next comment- I judge no-one, but in order to get the message across to a WIDER audience, Francisco could stand to tone it down a little – I believe, like everything, flamboyance has its context and if you are trying to reach ALL CROSS SECTIONS OF PEOPLE – some may be a little turned off and tend not to tune in because of the delivery. As far as understanding the REASONS why people do not get tested, we are all familiar with fear and stigma being a part of the equation but also:

    LEGAL: When you find out your status, you immediately become LEGALLY required to disclose to a partner when you engage in unprotected sex – not knowing your status alleviates this legal burden.

    INTRA-PSYCHIC: Getting tested and fearing the results makes people internally accountable for their own actions and instead of getting tested as a responsible thing, for some, it means taking inventory of behaviors that are risky.

    FINAL COMMENTS:
    One might think that more educated we are the less HIV will be spread. The transmission issue is MUCH deeper than that and rests on that which we tend to completely ignore – the quest for PLEASURE can be one of the greatest barriers to maintaining HELTHY, low-risk or no-risk behaviors. Condoms will never truly allow someone to experience the pleasure that only unprotected sex brings – let’s be honest. That HAS to be dealt with. We see this kind of behavior in all other aspects of our lives including eating foods that we know are unhealthy but bring us pleasure because they taste so good . . . just a few thoughts.

  22. Sela says:
    February 15, 2011 at 12:52 am

    Great job, Mia, and Sarah! Hope to see many of these important videos online.

  23. Efrain Rodriguez-Noblecilla says:
    February 15, 2011 at 7:32 am

    Totally engaging / entertaining get the message across/get the job done video. Francisco is lovable, his message and enthusiasm comes across truly heartfelt. His commitment undeniable. He is freaking awesome – it gets you to pay attention and lets us know it applies to all f us.

  24. Monika says:
    February 15, 2011 at 10:13 am

    Fun and frank! I love Francisco’s energy!!

  25. Jim says:
    February 15, 2011 at 10:15 am

    I liked the music and the message. Good work. Definitely.

  26. Lee says:
    February 15, 2011 at 10:17 am

    TERRIFIC MESSAGE! Keep telling people like it is, Francisco!

  27. Armando says:
    February 15, 2011 at 10:18 am

    Good one!

  28. Paco says:
    February 15, 2011 at 2:40 pm

    I was tested on 1/29/2011
    I always go there

  29. David says:
    February 15, 2011 at 10:24 pm

    Thanks for creating this! Always appreciate creative and honest (unlike the abstinence-only lessons) ways to educate folks about safe sex.

  30. Sara says:
    February 16, 2011 at 3:44 am

    Sooo interesting. I feel I totally related to many of the reasons mentioned for why I don’t get tested more often. I like how someone described it as loving yourself and how someone else spoke about the guilt factor. Guilt is a power things as is denial. It’s important to be asked these questions. Over and over again because it’s not a one time test. Great message!

  31. شات says:
    February 16, 2011 at 9:21 am

    TERRIFIC MESSAGE! Keep telling people like it is, Francisco!

  32. Anthony Parrilla says:
    February 16, 2011 at 6:33 pm

    Job well done Francisco! Your enthusiasm and high energy take the edge off and allows one to listen with ease. I’m reminded of the dentist with the lollypop approach for lack of a better analogy. I think you allow one to create a dialogue or at least a welcoming space for one, for what is for many a terrifying or simply taboo subject. Despite all my precautionary measures, I still get tested annually, and sooner if I have any doubts. Keep providing your invaluable service, especially in a world where some teens have taken an attitude of indifference to HIV…

  33. Dominic says:
    February 16, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    What a great video! I’m sure it will motivate many people to get tested. Our community needs people like you – keep up the good work!

  34. Kristian says:
    February 17, 2011 at 5:58 am

    Getting tested can be scary, and this is a great first step towards getting the message out there that it’s simply the rational, smart thing to do. Hopefully only the first in a long series.

  35. grace says:
    February 18, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    looking forward to more videos!!!

  36. Robert says:
    February 27, 2011 at 3:20 pm

    I like how you tackle the many reasons as to why it is so scary to be tested…but ultimately the fear comes from being tested positive. I believe we need to address how being tested positive is not a death sentence. I heard it mentioned by one of the people, but if we were to have a PSA that addressed soley how positive individuals live happy, healthy and productive lives it may also shed some of the fears behind testing positive. Yes, life has changed for me since testing positive, but nowhere as dramatically and horribly as I had initially thought. Also, HIV/AIDS campaigns are not “condoms only” campaigns. I’ll probably make a lot of people frown over this, but there not just 2 options here; Condoms or AIDS! There’s oral sex, pulling out, mutual masturbation- all of which may have different degrees of risk. But rather than to have people feel pigeon holed into on category or the other, why not broaden the spectrum and let people know that there are other options. Granted they are not as safe as condoms, but definitely “safer” than full on ejaculation inside the body. And safer is better than not caring what so ever. just a suggestion.

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