A Message of Strength and Safety for June and Beyond
Even as world events make this June especially challenging for LGBTQIA+ people, they ignite an even deeper need for us to celebrate, honor, and affirm our communities.
As we express our Pride as a queer-led organization, it’s also a time to acknowledge the challenges we face with the political climate affecting our rights and safety, especially for those of us who are trans.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but what if we could harness tools that not only protect us but also deepen our sense of confidence and belonging?
Empowerment self-defense isn’t just about physical strikes; it’s about claiming our space, trusting our instincts, building a powerful sense of self-worth — and letting the world know. In a world that tries to diminish us, these strategies help us speak loudly and live more authentically.
Four Pillars of Empowerment
Trust Your Gut: Your intuition is a powerful, built-in safety system. For LGBTQIA+ people who may have been taught to suppress our instincts for the sake of fitting in, honoring that inner voice helps us become more attuned to those around us and our true needs.
Use Your Voice: Clear, assertive communication isn’t just about volume — it’s about setting boundaries and showing that you’re not an easy target. When you use your voice confidently, you inspire others to find theirs and strengthen our collective resilience.
Take Up Space: You can choose to exist fully and visibly, defying messages that tell us to shrink or hide. When you move with purpose, you create safer spaces for everyone.
Know Your Boundaries: Clearly defining what is and isn’t acceptable teaches others how to treat you and sets powerful examples for healthy relationships.
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Kat took a Defend Yourself workshop with her mom before heading off to college. Her mom reports:
“She already had to defend herself from a drunk frat boy who was harassing her — calling her a ‘dyke’ because she has short hair, she warned him not to say it again or she was going to hit him. He got up really close to her face and said it again and she slapped him in the face. As she and her friend walked away, she heard one of his friends murmur, ‘Hey dude, are you ok?’
We are so proud of Kat for standing up for herself. While it had a good ending, her experience points out just how prominent things like this are for young women. Your training came in handy; she stood up for herself and surprised the heck out of the guy when she hauled off and slapped him hard after he didn’t heed her warning.”
— a Defend Yourself student’s mom
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Join us June 22 for our next free monthly Book Circle!
On the fourth Sunday of every month, we meet for one hour on Zoom to explore skills and ideas from “Get Empowered” in real time. This is your chance to dive deeper into the book’s teachings, share experiences, practice skills, and build supportive community. It’s free and it’s drop in; no need to commit.
In June, we'll take a look at those supposedly "helpful" tips that circulate (don't park next to a van, don't wear a ponytail, don't wear overalls), learn what's true and false about them, and build greater understanding of where your risks really lie!
You can RSVP or vote for our next topic now using the button to the right.
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| If you’ve taken a class with us, how has empowerment self-defense changed your life? |
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You don’t have to wait to “Get Empowered”
“Get Empowered” is filled with practical, ready-to-use tools to help you stay safe and hold your space wherever you go in life.
Whether you’re looking for ways to set boundaries, you’re a survivor focused on healing, or you’re committed to being an ally, this book will give you the tools you need to thrive.
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Want to feel safer and more confident?
Get Empowered with DefendYourself.org
We’re an empowerment self-defense organization teaching in DC and around the country. Learn to assert yourself, set boundaries, and protect yourself and your peace. Be You. Be Safe. DefendYourself.org
Know an organization, community space, or workplace that could benefit from these skills? Let us know! We love to partner with organizations to host helpful empowerment self-defense and bystander skills workshops for our communities.
- The Defend Yourself team
