Sexuality and Access Project Survey Summary Prepared by: Cory Silverberg & Fran Odette For: Springtide Resources © 2011 Funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................................................................V METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................................................................1 ACCESS.........................................................................................................................................................................................1 LIMITATIONS OF THE SURVEY .................................................................................................................................................2 READING THIS SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................................2 PART I: SURVEY DATA ........................................................................................................................................4 SURVEY QUESTIONS ..................................................................................................................................................................4 Sexuality and Sexual Support in Service Agreements and Job Contracts .....................................................4 The Right to Ask for Sexual Support/Attendants’ Right to Refuse Sexual Support..................................5 Should Attendants Be Required to Assist with Sexual Expression? .................................................................5 Conversations between Attendants and Clients about Sex .................................................................................6 Comfort Levels in Talking About Sex with Attendants..........................................................................................6 Examples of Sexual Support..............................................................................................................................................7 Influence of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity on Sexual Support .....................................................8 Conflicts between Attendant and Client Desires and Expectations.................................................................8 How Safe Do You Feel Talking about Sexual Support?.........................................................................................9 How Employers, Organizations, and Agencies Could Better Support Attendants .................................10 Suggestions from Attendants to Other Attendants on Providing Sexual Support .................................10 People’s Experience Filling Out the Survey .............................................................................................................11 DEMOGRAPHICS ......................................................................................................................................................................12 Age ............................................................................................................................................................................................12 Using/Providing Attendant Services..........................................................................................................................12 Funding...................................................................................................................................................................................13 Education...............................................................................................................................................................................13 Urban or Rural.....................................................................................................................................................................13 Gender .....................................................................................................................................................................................13 Sexual Orientation .............................................................................................................................................................14 Living Arrangements ........................................................................................................................................................15 Relationship Status............................................................................................................................................................15 PART II: ANALYSIS OF SURVEY THEMES AND TOPICS .......................................................................... 16 GUIDING PRINCIPLES .............................................................................................................................................................16 Intimacy..................................................................................................................................................................................16 Sexuality Is Personal and Political, Always.............................................................................................................17 THEME 1: THE CARE RELATIONSHIP .................................................................................................................................18 Topic 1.1: Sexual Rights...................................................................................................................................................19 Topic 1.2: Here/Not Here................................................................................................................................................19 Topic 1.3: Ableism and Internalized Ableism.........................................................................................................20 Topic 1.4: Power Dynamics............................................................................................................................................21 THEME 2: LINES .....................................................................................................................................................................22 Topic 2.1: Non-Sexual Activities That in Other Contexts Are Sexual ...........................................................22 Topic 2.2: Professional Boundaries ............................................................................................................................23 Topic 2.3: Falling for the Other ....................................................................................................................................24 Topic 2.4: Job Descriptions and Contracts...............................................................................................................24 THEME 3: ESTABLISHING COMFORT...................................................................................................................................25 Topic 3.1: Trust ...................................................................................................................................................................26 Topic 3.2: Assumptions ....................................................................................................................................................27 Topic 3.3: Sameness and Difference...........................................................................................................................27 Topic 3.4: Humour .............................................................................................................................................................28 THEME 4: COMMUNICATION ................................................................................................................................................29 Topic 4.1: Defining Sexual Support ............................................................................................................................30 THEME 5: PERCEIVED SAFETY.............................................................................................................................................30 Topic 5.1: Abuse, Harassment, and Exploitation..................................................................................................31 Topic 5.2: Hiding.................................................................................................................................................................32 Topic 5.3: Protection, Paternalism, and the Dignity of Risk............................................................................32 Topic 5.4: Conflicts with Agencies/Employers.......................................................................................................33 Topic 5.5: Homophobia/Transphobia.......................................................................................................................33 THEME 6: REDUCED PRIVACY..............................................................................................................................................34 Topic 6.1: Gossip .................................................................................................................................................................35 CONCLUSION 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