select RESPONSES FROM
three OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
select RESPONSES FROM
three OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Embedded Files
three OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS
Describe your comfort level portraying cases that either reflect your LGBTQIA+ identity, or are different from how you identify.
UTHSC-CHIPS:
"The majority of the roles I have portrayed have been heterosexual. I have not felt any sense of discomfort, embarrassment or bias while doing so. I am a paid actor doing my job to the best of my ability and skills and I do not feel my identity is a factor in how much comfort or discomfort portraying a heterosexual person has in regard to my portrayal."
"I'm a gay senior male and look at the SP portrayals as individual characters in individual plays. Each one is different. As an actor, one has to create one's own backstory for each character so I don't find it any different than creating a character on stage."
"I am comfortable portraying both types of cases because I have not been asked any specific sexual questions by any of my learners. I have heard of other SP's who have been asked inappropriate questions, and hearing about that makes me a little nervous, but I have never had to deal with that myself."
"There will always be elements of “masking” in simulation - that is the nature of the work (and part of the fun)! It’s just that if you’re queer, and you’re almost exclusively called upon to portray cis/straight folks (which is true in my case), that imbalance can reinforce negative feelings of otherness - whereas portraying a wider variety of roles could increase feelings of belonging. I think balance is key!"
"I feel comfortable performing the roles I am given because there isn't pressure to bring my conceptual identity into my job. I can portray the role as written and still be myself."
UPenn:
"Honestly, I just do my best to be honest and human... no matter what the case. Some cases are harder for me than others to feel natural... but there is always something I can connect with...I have ALWAYS had trouble fitting in with LGBTQ culture or "straight" culture... I am not enough of one or the other to be "accepted". But at this point in my life I am me and okay with that. And, I am enough... I just... that is my own thought that gets in the way!"
"I identify as bisexual, so I am very comfortable playing straight or queer in different cases. In fact playing a queer patient would make me feel seen and instead of just being seen as a straight person. I have not portrayed any queer patients this far in my SP career. I would not be comfortable portraying a trans patient, as I am not trans, and I don't think that would be appropriate for me."
"I thrive when portraying cases that reflect my LGBT identity, especially if the material aligns closely with my lived trans experience. I think it allows me to pull from a much greater depth for feedback and the cases feel more natural to perform. Even when I'm portraying a LGBT person that's different than how I identify, I feel much more at home with these cases and these groups of SPs."
"Because there are a lot of different ways to be LGBTQIA+ it can be hard to speak to lived experiences that aren’t my own (e.g. being on hormones, having had gender-affirming surgery, etc.) but I feel comfortable with the case where I portray someone who wants to pursue those things."
How do you think your visibility as an LGBTQIA+ individual might affect the opportunities and workload you receive in your role as an SP?
UTHSC-CHIPS:
"As a straight-presenting queer man, I have not had much indication that my sexual preferences have played a role in my workload."
"Speaking only to the environment, fellow SP's and staff I currently work with, I can only hope and thus assume my SP portrayal opportunities have been offered due to my ability and other job I currently. I do not know how to gage the workload or shifts offered, but I do not believe the number of shifts I am offered are lessened due to my sexual orientation. If it were the case, I would want to believe that the feedback I sometimes receive would indicate my need to work on my characterization."
"Most importantly, I want to share that I feel welcome and supported at CHIPS, and I have high confidence in our team to be proactive against harmful normative biases. The invitation to fill out this questionnaire is a testament to that! But it may be helpful to share the following, to represent my broader experience as performer and bring attention to larger social trends.
In general, two main fears spring to mind: 1) There is always the possibility that appearing somehow “other” could push queer folks out of non-queer roles - which usually make up the vast majority of available work. But if there’s an appreciation for the fact that people of all genders and orientations can present themselves in any number of ways (including hair or clothing styles, choices of accessories, use of makeup, etc), that issue can be averted! And of course, providing a balanced variety of roles can also nip that issue in the bud. 2) Of course, being a queer person in ANY largely non-queer workplace could possibly also result in impromptu unwanted/uncompensated emotional labor (eg being put on the spot and expected to provide education for coworkers, drawing on personal experience of marginalization). But a lot of times, I find that these are well-meant attempts to improve workplace dynamics - and providing topical cultural education during training, structured opportunities for individuals to ask questions or provide feedback with privacy (like this survey!), and perhaps even hiring and compensating cultural consultants if needed are all ways to make sure queer folks (or any minority folks!) feel seen and supported at work."
UPenn:
"Yes - many cases I currently portray are heterosexual, which sometimes feels inauthentic based on some case information presented."
"I feel as though I'm not often first to be called for cases that involve physical exams because I am visibly trans and don't fit the "default" body that a cis SP provides. I really enjoy being able to work on LGBT centric cases and bring my voice to them, but I find myself wishing I could be a "regular" patient sometimes too."
"I think that would reduce my workload since most of the cases seem to be written from a heterosexual standpoint."
Is there anything else you would like to add?
UTHSC-CHIPS:
"I feel like the Memphis CHIPS program is a diverse group of SPs and staff who respect one another's choices. We are open with who we are. Additionally, I would add that for me it is a safe space and I feel comfortable with everyone in the program."
"The only microaggression I've experience was during a physical exam wherein the learner commented on the piercing in my ears. The learner inquired "Do you wear earrings?" with a hint of incredulity. I confidently said "Yes" and allowed the OSCE to continue without tension. I felt it was a teachable moment for the learner to understand that some men wear earrings without much ado."
"I hope these responses are helpful! It can be difficult to capture both nuance and clarity when speaking about complex social issues, and harder still to turn discussion points into concrete policy or action. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the effort, and for all the others engaged in the process as well. :)"
UPenn:
"I think the really physical cases are the hardest for me, actually (so far). Sometimes I challenge myself and discover, okay... I can't handle that... or... at least, I know that I have a challenge with it so... I try and be kind to myself. Also I find it is hard in a group where it seems I fit but I really don't... I think this is me just being extra hard on myself. I like that we are all SO different. And it is OKAY to bring what we bring... We are unique and standardized at the same time... really remarkable, actually. I will keep working on it and trying to grow in this space."
"I would like to see more cases written so the SP can either identify as heterosexual or LGBTQIA+. - their choice"
"More cases should be trans inclusive! Trans people get allergies, shoulder injuries, etc and doctors will see more and more out patients in their work. And trans-specific cases should be written and trained by trans professionals."
"There is a very big blind spot where it comes to race and LGBTQ+ intersectionality. The frequency of microaggressions are hard to document and harder to confront because it requires a level of confrontation and then self-awareness. Often, after those confrontations happen revenge and retribution are outcomes of the intervention."
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