HowlRound Theatre Commons: The intimacy industry is under pressure. While many creatives and artistic leaders see the benefits of intimacy direction and coordination as specific care and technical support for actors, the industry itself has not yet created an equitable and inclusive training process for marginalized people.
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This article brings up some really interesting points about creating well-established, inclusive, and equitable practices throughout the industry, without standardizing the process in a way that allows for further oppression or stratification. The very action of establishing best practices can create problems down the lines for marginalized groups whose circumstances are not considered by these so-called “best” practices, as it is impossible to account for every given situation in a process that is, by definition, based on broad societal standards. This dilemma is especially important to unravel for intimacy coordination, as marginalized groups are often disproportionately affected by issues of consent and majority cultural expectations of boundaries. People of color, gender and sexuality minorities, and other groups that tend to be overlooked deserve representation from intimacy coordinators who they can trust due to shared experiences and a more nuanced understanding of comfort levels. It’s hard to feel safe in environments where the coach or intimacy coordinator, the person responsible for your physical and emotional well-being, is unable to empathize with you or even actively enforces microaggressions, whether intentional or unintentional – hence the need to focus on diversity and fostering a sense of belonging within the field of intimacy.
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