TO TELL THE TRUTH
LESSON PLAN · TEACHING SAFER SEX THIRD EDITION
It’s Not Who You Are But What You Do
By Tina Robie and Anne Matsui
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:
1. Explain how assumptions about people based on their appearance, employment, ethnic background or sexual orientation may prevent knowing the truth about them.
2. Describe how inaccurate assumptions about a partner can put a person at risk for HIV/AIDS.
Rationale
Based on our previous experiences, prejudices and stereotypes, each of us makes assumptions about each person we meet. Some judgments can be dangerous, especially if one jumps to conclusions about a potential sexual partner. Common assumptions that may preclude thoughtful evaluation of a partner include: people who are “nice†and “clean†do not have sexually transmitted infections; only people who are gay and/or injecting drug users are infected with HIV; if a person looks healthy, s/he is healthy. This lesson uses the old TV game “To Tell the Truth†to help participants see how assumptions may hide the truth.
