Creative Resistance - Participatory Methods for Engaging Queer Youth: A Facilitation Manual for the Southern Africa Region

This manual has been developed for facilitators working with young people in Southern Africa on issues of sexual and gender diversity. Rather than prescribe a set approach, the manual outlines a number of creative participatory activities involving writing, art, or drama to explore a topic relevant to sexual and gender diversity such as building relationships or running campaigns. The activities can be combined in a variety of ways depending on the desired outcome and/or the size and skills of the group.  Developed by Gay and Lesbian Memory in Action (GALA) as part a Southern African regional youth project, the manual seeks to empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI)  or queer youth (as is the preferred term in the manual) so that they can serve as change agents in their own communities. It also seeks to build a generation of queer youth leaders who are better equipped to advocate for their rights.

The approach outlined in the manual is inspired by the Brazilian educators/activists Paulo Freire and Augusto Boal, as well as by the work being undertaken by local organisations such as the Curriculum Development Project (CDP), the One in Nine Campaign (1in9) and Drama for Life (DFL). As stated in the guide, the participatory activities “are effective because they place the participants at the centre of the learning process. A participatory approach has a number of benefits: it helps to build self-confidence and self-awareness; it opens up space for differing opinions and perspectives; and, most importantly, it gets people up and moving. This manual is informed by the belief that people learn better when both their minds and bodies are active, and when they are able to express themselves freely and creatively.”

The manual includes information for less experienced facilitators, such as advice on managing a workshop space, encouraging open dialogue, and supporting anxious participants. There is also a dedicated section explaining the key concepts underpinning the activities.

The manual includes the following chapters:
1.   Introduction
2.   Sexual and Gender Diversity in Southern Africa
3.   Key Concepts
4.   Creative Methods
5.   The Basics of Facilitation
6.   Planning a Workshop
7.   Facilitating Creative Methods
8.   The Activities:

• Warm-ups, energiser games and focus activities
• Building relationships
• Gender and politics
• Surfacing personal narratives
• Rehearsing change
• Advocacy and messaging
• Campaign-building
• Taking action
• Reflective exercises and closing rituals

9.   Evaluating a Workshop