WORKSHOPS
Improve your practices!
Marginalized people face many forms of institutional violence. Individuals discriminate on accident as much as with intent. We can improve with self-education and listening/accountability to those with traditionally ignored identities.
We can reduce harm by starting open conversations in schools and youth groups. Many important topics are rarely discussed in our youth without attached judgments. We must offer real information, dialogue, and context.
Scroll down for the list of what we have recently offered as workshops (or as cultural competency/safety classes) for health and mental health care providers, service agencies, spiritual and religious organizations, businesses, community organizations, and educational institutions.
The Health Equity AlLiance (HEAL) offers key substance, HIV, and 101 trainings. Click here to see their menu.
If you can invite us to your institution or group, email mindfulqueercollective@gmail.com. If you are not in a position to do so, please bring this page to the attention of someone who is. We can reach out to an institution in need without mentioning who suggested we do so, but are less likely to get a response.
We will come to your business, call center, church, hospital, nonprofit, service provider, school, etc. Reimbursement for cost of travel is expected. Please consider giving a sliding scale payment to the teacher(s) giving you their time, exposure, and energy.
Friendly institutions must practice understanding different identities. Best practices require regular and varied trainings. Social pressures, obstacles, and health complications related to gender and sexuality are impacted by socioeconomics, religion, race, nationality, (dis)ability status, and all marginalized lived experiences.
For more information about the concept of intersectionality, check out this article or this video.
Statistically, our community faces many heightened risk factors. Being an advocate for homeless youth will mean being an advocate for trans youth. Helping youth recover from tobacco addiction will mean helping queer youth.
To learn more, this executive summary of the United States Trans Survey from 2015 is a good place to start.
Unlearning Gender Essentialism
Gender Essentialism is the concept that everybody exists within the traditionalist biological and social guidelines of the binary genders, Male and Female. This concept runs deep in our societies, informing all aspects of our lives, and is a core factor of transphobia and sexism. We are taught to enforce our assigned gender with specific appearances, actions, and roles in relationships and society. Different judgments and privileges are awarded to individuals that conform to gendered expectations of presentations and expressions. Gender Essentialism is ingrained in our power structures, societal norms, communication styles, and media. This oppressive dichotomy damages every individual’s ability to experience their true identities and creates a hostile environment for those of non-essentialist gender performativity.
Attendees will learn about:
The Impacts of Gender Essentialism
The Roots of Gender Essentialism
Culturally and Personally Ingrained Beliefs
Gender Essentialist Attitudes and Language
How to Address Gender Essentialism
Relationship Anarchy Theories
We all learn relationship structures from society - from family, media, and every community we enter. We internalize the social customs surrounding us, especially during adolescence, and develop attitudes and personalities reflective of what we experience. Certain narratives become ingrained in our understandings of the world and reinforced in our actions. Many of the core components of our societies, like sexuality, relationships, romance, and friendship, have been warped and wielded by dominant powers to suppress other cultures and lifestyles. Processing our genuine preferences and interests is often difficult and confusing because of the assumptions and expectations placed upon us. Relationship Anarchy strives to create consent-based relationships and active communication styles where needs and boundaries are negotiated fluidly, enthusiastically, and with awareness of the external pressures and influences in our lives.
Attendees will learn about:
Forms of Monogamy and Polyamory
Traditionalism and Expectations
Theories of Relationship Anarchy
Open Communication and Accountability
Navigating Sexualities and Boundaries
Liberating Language: Decolonizing How We Talk
Language has power! As activists, many of us become aware of issues of privilege and oppression through the lens of academia. However, it is possible to know about and discuss these concepts in plain language. Systems of oppression are so pervasive that oppressive terms and phrases can sneak into our vocabulary without us even realizing it! In this workshop we will discuss creating just, inclusive, and accessible language in our movements and moving beyond buzzwords.
Attendees will learn about:
Ways to call in/out friends and colleagues
(tips for doing this while navigating imbalanced power dynamics)
Correcting one's language after "slipping up"
How language can empower and disempower marginalized people