Please join the newly-formed LGBTQ Guard and Empowerment Self Defense Instructor Diane Long for a Free Community Self-Defense Class on Saturday, April 13 from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm. Location: Sabathani Community Center in Room 209. (Outfront MN office). This class is designed to teach basic self-defense for volunteers in the LGBTQ Guard but we wanted to open it up to the broader community.
Our April class introduced a varirty of self-protective skiils. In the May class, we will review and build o...
Please join the newly-formed LGBTQ Guard and Empowerment Self Defense Instructor Diane Long for a Free Community Self-Defense Class on Saturday, April 13 from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm. Location: Sabathani Community Center in Room 209. (Outfront MN office). This class is designed to teach basic self-defense for volunteers in the LGBTQ Guard but we wanted to open it up to the broader community.
Our April class introduced a varirty of self-protective skiils. In the May class, we will review and build on our verbal and physical self-defense and focus more on de-escalation. PLEASE feel free to come even if you did not go to the first class. There will be plently of review along with opportunities for practice.
This class and the building are accessible. There is a ramp in the lot and an elevator to the second floor. You must be 16 years or older to participate. Please refrain from wearing scented products.
To RSVP, please fill out the contact form on our website and simply tell us you are coming: https://www.lgbtqguard.com/contact.html
In this 3-hour class, we will explore ways to increase safety, individually and collectively. We will practice verbal and physical skills and role play common scenarios.
General safety skills we will cover include:
--self-care and self-advocacy
--reading body cues and trusting one's instincts
--assertive voice and body language
--verbal and physical boundary setting
--techniques for managing fear and anxiety
--tools for dealing with ongoing effects of prejudice and discrimination
--basics of bystander intervention
--de-escalation and conflict resolution
--positioning yourself for safety
--distraction and redirection
--evasive maneuvers
--simple physical defense skills
Sharing stories and sharing skills for direct, effective resistance to violence can help counter feelings of isolation and overwhelm while building confidence and competence. Please join us to help increase safety in our communities.
