Abstract

This research paper accompanies my heuristic arts-based short film entitled: “The Story Hole.” The film combined with this research paper explore personal material that came up for me while completing an internship as a counsellor in gay bathhouses as part of my training as a drama therapist. This paper contains a literature review that looks at existing public health, counselling, sexual education, prevention and testing services available at bathhouses, as well as stigma faced by bathhouse patrons and owners. In the methodology section I outline the stages of this heuristic research process, review how I collected my data and discuss my decision to disseminate my results in the form of a short-film. The script for this film is included in the appendix of the paper and is available for viewing by contacting me at monsieurmccarthy@gmail.com.