Get Empowered: Boundaries and Self-Defense for Trans and Nonbinary Communities

Want to feel safer and more confident? Learn self-defense and empowerment skills in a queer environment!

We’ll address the range of situations trans and queer people face, from the annoying (intrusive family members or irritating coworkers) to the dangerous, including abusive relationships and hate crimes. Though you may never need the physical techniques, you’ll use the confidence, skills, and attitude every day. You’ll leave this class with techniques you can use right away.

Anyone can do this! People of all sizes and abilities are welcome. You don’t have to be an athlete or martial artist to help yourself be safer.

Who: Trans and nonbinary people, and allies who want to be in a trans-focused and -affirming space.

When/where: There will be three workshop sessions on April 11th, 18th, and 25th, from 6-8 PM CST, online. Please plan to attend all sessions. Registration required.

How: Register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/get-empowered. Registration is limited, so please register only if you’re confident you can attend all three meetings. If something comes up and you’re no longer able to attend, please contact caleb@forge-forward.org.

TEACHERS: Sahim Lalani, Em Morrison, and Tessa Jelani

Sahim Lalani (he/they): I’m a facilitator, advocate, and organizer of spreadsheets, passionate about doing whatever I can to support queer and trans Black, Indigenous, and people of color (QTBIPOC) surviving and thriving in this world. With Defend Yourself, I focus on giving QTBIPOC the tools to defend ourselves against street harassment, violence, and other harm. When I’m not teaching empowerment self-defense, you can find me advocating for healing and transformative justice as a tool for liberation, sharing food and thoughts with loved ones, and creating art.

Em Morrison (she/her/hers): I’ve been facilitating and teaching art and peacemaking for more than 13 years. I’m now thrilled to also be empowering others through self-defense, and I feel blessed to have learned from Defend Yourself. I’m passionate about finding ways to reduce the fear, trauma, and conflict in my community and find ways to deepen connection with myself and others in the process.

Tessa Jelani: I’m a DC-area native who’s committed to making my hometown safer and more inclusive for all LGBTQ+ people, especially trans people, and for Black people. I’ve been a community health worker with a local organization serving Black men who have sex with men and trans women, reducing the impact of HIV-AIDS in the entire Black community. I’ve also worked with the DC Public Library system on recording trans people’s life stories to help capture our history. I’m excited to add Defend Yourself trainer to the ways I support Black and LGBTQ+ people.