People who engage in Party N Play (PnP)/chemsex1 are more exposed to sexual assaults than those who do not engage in it.2 Yet, the lack of understanding about sexual consent in PnP contexts limits our ability to prevent sexual assaults. The PnP & Consent project therefore examines how sexual consent is given, withdrawn, or negotiated in these contexts. To do so, we utilize photovoice, a method that combines photography and interviews. People who engage in chemsex were invited to take photos capturing their experiences, perceptions, and reflections on sexual consent in these contexts. They then discussed their images during an interview, allowing for a deeper exploration of these issues.
Through its objectives and methods, this research seeks to remain close to the realities of PnP by collaborating with a Community Advisory Board. Together, we hope to identify strategies to prevent sexual assaults in PnP settings and promote sexual health and well-being for those who engage in it.
Created in collaboration with the Cri de ralliement, Fierté Montréal, and members of the community, this exhibition emerged from the participatory research project PnP & Consent. The exhibition highlights the artistic work of the research participants. Each photo is accompanied by a title and a descriptive text or interview quote.
Thank you to the participants for their trust and expertise, as well as the Community Advisory Board who has guided this project from the very beginning. Thanks also to RRSPQ and Fierté Montréal for their financial support for this exhibition.
Community engagement is at the heart of our work! Other activities will be organized to disseminate the research findings and engage communities. To stay informed about these activities, follow Qollab’s Facebook and Instagram or join the project newsletter.
Hi there, I'm Max. I'm conducting this research as part of my Ph.D. in Public Health (specializing in health promotion) at the Université de Montréal. As a queer young researcher, it is crucial for me that my research positively impacts communities (which I am often part of). My commitments to the 2S/LGBTQI+ communities are rooted in social justice and critical thinking. Do not hesitate to contact me for any questions.
Project co-directors: Olivier Ferlatte and Adam Bourne
The PnP & Consent project has been approved by the Comité d’Éthique de la Recherche en Sciences et Santé (project # CERSES-2023-4853).
The project is made possible thanks to the financial support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Société et culture (FRQSC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
1 PnP/chemsex refers to the use of certain drugs, such as crystal meth, GHB/GBL, or ketamine, with the intention of having sex, mainly among gay, bisexual, and queer men, as well as trans and non-binary people.
2 Wilkerson, J. M., Di Paola, A., Nieto, D., Schick, V., Latini, D. M., Braun-Harvey, D., Zoschke, I. N., & McCurdy, S. (2021). Sexual Violence and Chemsex among Substance-Using Sexual and Gender Minorities in Texas. Substance Use & Misuse, 110. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2021.1975743
