Key Points
- Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), in collaboration with Filipino Australian Brisbane Society Inc. (FABS), are confronting cultural taboos on sex education, intimacy, and relationships within migrant communities in Queensland, aiming to promote open discussions and education on these vital topics.
- Through the "Breaking the Stigma - Let's Talk Community Leaders Event," QUT and FABS aim to bridge cultural gaps by creating an inclusive space for Filipino-Australians to openly discuss topics such as sexual health, intimacy, and relationships, which are often considered taboo in traditional Filipino culture.
In an interview with SBS Filipino, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Lead Researcher Jo Durham mentioned the significant support of the Filipino community in the campaign.
"We approached different communities in Queensland, and they said that talking about sex is taboo in our culture, and there's a need for it, especially in intergenerational families where it causes tension. However, when we asked them to join us, none were as responsive as the Filipino community," she said.
Lead researcher Jo Durham with researcher Jana Ventura Credit: Celeste Macintosh
Many parents or elders migrated later in life, and perhaps they didn’t have sexual education back in the Philippines. Since then, they have migrated here, and their children have been raised in Australia. The children may have had more exposure to talking about these topics in school or with friends.QUT Researcher and Filipino-Australian Jana Ventura
The project involves three impactful videos that mix insight, humour, and reflection to spark conversations on healthy relationships, sexual education, and available support systems, helping to normalise discussions that many are hesitant to address.
Actor Mike Cosinas Credit: Celeste Macintosh
Dixie Morante hepls facilitate discussion at QUT Brisbane Credit: Celeste Macintosh
We feel that Filipinos living in Australia are torn between the Filipino values inculcated by their parents, yet they are living in a liberated Australian community. So, we thought that FABS will create that entry point to having that open discussion and being objective about [sex education and intimacy].FABS President Dixie Morante
Dixie Morante and Gemma Goutous of the Filipino Australian Brisbane Society Inc. Credit: Celeste Macintosh
