LGBTQ Self Defense
Sat. 10/23, 1-4 pm
NW DC (near Howard U)
What does the class cover?
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Prevention and awareness: things you can do to prevent or avoid an attack or abuse.
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Assertiveness and verbal self-defense: using words and body language to stop obnoxious or intrusive behavior and to keep a situation from escalating.
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Physical self-defense: techniques to end an attack and get to safety.
We will focus on the risks and vulnerabilities that LGBTQ people face. We learn these skills and techniques through discussion, role-plays, exercises, drills and more. This is not a martial arts class. You won’t have to practice for months to learn practical skills. You will go home with techniques you can use immediately.
Who can take the class?
The class is designed for anyone (age 16 and up) who identifies as lesbian-gay-bisexual-trans-questioning-queer-intersex or an ally!
I’m short/overweight/not athletic. I have an injury or a disability. Can I do it?
Yes! Everyone can improve their skills and expand their options in case of an attempted attack. This is not martial arts, and you don’t have to be fit to use the techniques we teach. We teach skills that everyone can use every day to keep themselves safer.
Our teachers have experience teaching people from all walks of life, including those with physical limitations. Instructors will work with you to adapt the techniques to something that works for you.
Where and when is the class?
It's Saturday, October 23, 1-4 pm. It's at the Emergence Community Arts Collective (www.ecacollective.org) at 733 Euclid Street NW, north of the U street Metro Station and south of the Columbia Heights Metro on the Green Line. It’s across the street from Banneker High School and Howard University. We’ll be on the second floor.
Please come to the class about 10 minutes early to complete some paperwork, and if you are under 18 let us know when you register so you can have a parent or guardian sign a form. (We don't have to tell them it is an LGBTQ class.)
How much does it cost?
It's $39 until Oct. 8, $52 after. If you register with a friend/family member, you each get $5 off. There are limited reduced-fee slots for low-income people. Contact us if you can’t afford the full fee.
How do I register?
Pay by credit card using PayPal. You don’t have to have a PayPal account to use PayPal. Go to paypal.com, click on the blue tab that says “personal, then click on "send money” and then "send money online. ” In the “to” field, put “lauren@defendyourself.org” and then click on “service.”
Or you can pay by check: Contact us for the mailing address.
Either way you register, be sure to include your name, phone number(s), email, and the class you are registering for. If you register within a week before the class, please check to make sure you got in. Enrollment is limited.
What should I wear?
You can do self-defense in any clothes--if you are ever attacked, you won’t have time to change! Most students wear comfortable clothes. We only ask that you wear flat shoes to prevent sprained ankles.
Who is the teacher?
Defend Yourself is dedicated to keeping people safer and sharing tools to help them empower themselves and live full lives.
Lead instructor Lauren Taylor has studied and taught self-defense since 1985. She specializes in teaching self-defense to women, to people with disabilities, to LGBTQ people and to survivors of abuse and assault. She holds the rank of black belt in tae kwon do, a traditional Korean martial art. For more on our all our instructors, see "about us."
I have more questions. Who can I talk to?
Call Lauren at 301-608-3708 or email her at lauren@defendyourself.org. We’re happy to talk and answer any more questions you have!
Hope to see you there!
