Community United Against Violence: safetyfest 2010

I don’t often link to events, but when I do, they’re events that I *highly* recommend and that I will personally be attending (unless otherwise noted). I am very, very excited about CUAV’s SafetyFest this year, and will be attending at least two of the events. Here is CUAV‘s mission statement:

Founded in 1979, Community United Against Violence (CUAV) works to build the power of LGBTQQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning) communities to transform violence and oppression. We support the healing and leadership of those impacted by abuse and mobilize our broader communities to replace cycles of trauma with cycles of safety and liberation. As part of the larger social justice movement, CUAV works to create truly safe communities where everyone can thrive.

Yes. Yes. YES.

And here’s what they say about safetyfest:

safetyfest is a 100% free festival celebration of all the fierce ways queer and trans people in the Bay Area stay safe and strut our stuff. Our communities already have so many of the tools we’ll need to end violence and be truly safe in all the ways we deserve to be–we just need to share them!

Awesome. Count me in. (If any of y’all want to meet me, lemme know! I’ll definitely be going to Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha’s workshop on April 17th, and probably also the closing celebration. I wish I could go to Jen Cross’s writing workshop, too. Sigh. Next year?)

Declaring Our Erotic: A writing workshop with survivors of sexual trauma
Jen Cross
• 870 Market St, San Francisco
Saturday, April 10, 1-4pm
Writing our desire is writing our resilience and our resistance—Gather with other queer-identified survivors to create a space in which we struggle with and celebrate our gorgeous, complex sexualities.
 
Transforming the Pain: Healing from Trauma
Prajna Paramita Choudhury
Hand to Hand Kajukenbo Self Defense Center,
5680 San Pablo Ave. Oakland
• Saturday, April 10, 1:30-4:30pm
After crisis, after dealing with its immediate effects on our lives – how do we move forward
in wholeness? This workshop will facilitate this discussion and provide some tools.
 
The Revolution Starts At Home: Practicing Community Accountability In Real Life
Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
Modern Times Bookstore; 888 Valencia St, SF
• Saturday, April 17, 2-5pm
$5-20 suggested donation (no one turned away)
In this hands-on workshop, we’ll talk about the nitty-gritty of building accountability, justice and violence-free zones in our lives.
 
Basic Self-Defense for Women and Trans People
Self-Defense for Self-Determination
Hand to Hand Kajukenbo Self Defense Center,
5680 San Pablo Ave. Oakland
• Saturday, April 17, 1-4pm
Open to Women and Trans folks Come yell, kick and talk it out with us! Learn and share skills for the daily verbal and physical self-defense situations we encounter.
 
Work It Out: Closing Celebration!
Co-Hosted by CUAV & El/La Program Para TransLatinas
SOMArts, 934 Brannan St, San Francisco
• Sunday, April 18, 4-8pm
$20-60 sliding scale (no one turned away)
Join us to wrap up safetyfest 2010 with a fierce and tender afternoon of dazzling performances from your favorite queer and trans rockstars, fabulous drinks and edible delights, glamorous prizes, and a chance to strut your stuff on the catwalk/dance floor. Parents and kids are invited to take a load off in the Family Space. Don’t miss this chance to party with your people!