LGBTQ+ Centered HOPE-PV Workshop

Join us on July 23rd at 5:00pm EST as On Earth Peace partners with HOPE-PV (Harnessing Our Power to EndPolitical Violence) to offer a training on how to counter LGBTQIA+ political violence. 

See the event in your timezone here:

https://dateful.com/eventlink/1289484585 

This training is an opportunity to build powerful skills for resisting political violence, especially the increased violence targeting lgbtqia+ people right now.  

Participants will learn about 5 "Backfire" principles for countering political violence and repression. By the end of the training we hope to walk away with knowing the basic principles of what political violence is and looks like, and key strategies for countering political violence, within the context of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Purposes of the Training

• Build understanding of the contours of political violence, especially in our own contexts
• Awaken imagination about how we might assertively respond in the face of threats or acts of political violence
  
• Explore concepts that can help us identify and undermine political violence 
• Practice tools and approaches you can use at home right now or in a moment of crisis 
• Connect with others who are also working to interrupt political violence
  
• Celebrate the ways our communities have creatively resisted political violence

Context: On Earth Peace is expanding our organizing capacity to help those in our constituency develop community, courage, capacity, and commitment, as the temperature of political rhetoric and attacks against different communities continues to rise.  We are part of a national organizing initiative called Harnessing Our Power to End Political Violence (HOPE-PV). More information here: www.endpoliticalviolence.org  The HOPE-PV campaign is looking to support communities as they develop nonviolent direct action to prevent and respond to the political violence within their communities. 

See the event in your timezone here: https://dateful.com/eventlink/4894339062 

Facilitators 

Naomi Washington-Leapheart

Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart is the Strategic Partnerships Director at Political Research Associates, a social justice research and strategy center that provides strategic insights and actionable research that identifies, disrupts, and competes with movements and institutions that undermine democracy, justice, and human rights. In her role, she leverages PRA's research and communications capacities to support effective organizing and advocacy by movement organizations around the nation and globe.

Previously, Rev. Naomi served the city of Philadelphia as the Director for Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs in the Mayor's Office from 2019 to 2023. Prior to working in municipal government, she was the Faith Work Director for the National LGBTQ Task Force, the country's oldest national LGBTQ justice and equality group. Rev. Naomi serves on the boards of SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, Pride in the Pews, and Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center. She is also a member of the Faith Advisory Council of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Rev. Naomi is an adjunct professor of theology and religious studies at Villanova University and Arcadia University. She regularly engages congregations, justice organizations, and academic institutions as founder of Salt | Yeast | Light, a ministry grounded in facilitating spiritual candor, theological rigor, political disruption, deep reflection, radical action, and communal transformation. An ordained minister, she is a leader in The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries and the United Church of Christ. 

CJ Garcia 

Cynthia Garcia is a Queer Immigrant from Nayarit, Mexico, who has organized and made Oklahoma their home for over 20 years. They are driven by the values of justice, equity, and community empowerment. Cynthia focuses on combating detention and deportation at local and federal levels, empowering immigrant youth and their families to prevent deportations.

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LGBTQ+ Progress Flag graphic from Northeastern university LGBTQ+ Programming.