Examining Performance Ethnography as a Lesbian, Gay , Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Stigma Reducing Strategy in Swaziland and Lesotho

This project aims to develop performance ethnography approaches to reduce stigma towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons in Swaziland and Lesotho by holding performance ethnography at community roundtables in Swaziland and Lesotho.

This project involved a critical ethnography with in-depth individual interviews conducted with LGBT communities in Swaziland and Lesotho. Following this, the investigators conducted a performance ethnography that involved: a) presenting theatre specialists and PRAs with the qualitative data; b) working together to highlight narratives, themes and visual images from this data; c) developing scripts for participatory theatre performances; d) implementing the theatre performances at community roundtables, with participants completing a pre and post-test and 6 week follow up.

The investigators will implement 2 interconnected KTE strategies in each location (Swaziland, Lesotho): (1) participatory theatre (PT) training/development and (2) community roundtables. (1) Participatory theatre (PT) training with SGM: The investigators will engage 6 SGMY (2 MSM, 2 WSW, 2 transgender) as PRA in each location. PRA will work with a theatre specialist to develop 3 short plays to highlight lived experiences of a) stigma and discrimination and b) resilience among MSM, WSW and trans persons. PRA will undertake a 4-week PT training program, including: PT processes; assessing. Phase 1 data; developing scenes; and production. PRA will work with community animators who will perform the scenarios to protect the privacy of the PR.

The investigators will implement community roundtables are to: a) raise awareness of SGM issues and b) reduce stigma. Purposive sampling will be employed to engage diverse stakeholders. Roundtables, 2 hours in duration, will be cofacilitated by PRA. The aim is to conduct 2 meetings in Swaziland and 2 in Lesotho, each with 20-25 participants, including groups identified as key to SGM wellbeing in Phase 1 (e.g. educators; law enforcement; civil society; LGBTQ groups). Community animators will enact the 3 plays developed by SGM using PT techniques. Plays will address narratives of stigma and discrimination that emerge in Phase 1 among SGM participants. Community animators will perform each play once to illustrate the situation and problem; the story will culminate in a crisis with no solution offered. Each play will be performed a second time, and roundtable participants can 'stop' the action at any point where there is a challenge. The participant that 'stops' the play will come up and replace the character and depict a possible solution or 'intervention.

To evaluate the project's outcomes the investigators will conduct cross-sectional surveys with roundtable participants (n=100) who will complete a pre/post-test evaluation and 6 week follow up. The primary outcome will be measured using the 'Attitudes Towards Lesbians and Gay Men Scale' (ATLG-R) to assess changes in phobia, stigma and knowledge regarding SGM issues following the participatory theatre event. The survey will also include questions about attitudes towards HIV related stigma. Socio-demographic information will be collected from all survey participants including age, gender, highest level of education, nationality, marital status, current household income, type of work, number of children, and religion. MANOVA will be used to assess pre/post-test differences across variables.