Out Montclair Launches Workshops: Legal, Self-Defense, Support Group

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Out Montclair. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Out Montclair, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to raise awareness and provide resources and solidarity for the LGBTQIA+ community in and around Montclair, announces a series of workshops to support transgender, gender-nonconforming and nonbinary people to live their authentic lives in joy, safety and acceptance.

The workshops will be held from August through November, and will be led by transgender leaders and allies in law, storytelling, and presentation. Courses include:

• Expert legal advice for navigating legal name changes, documents and procedures
• Gender-affirming voice training, a non-surgical approach to shifting and changing aspects of the voice for accurate and confident gender expression
• “Transcending Love and Understanding” - a safe and compassionate support group for parents of trans youth and adults navigating their journey of self-discovery and identity.
• “TRANStory Sanctuary” - a poetry program that centers the stories of transgender, gender nonconforming and nonbinary people
• Tai Chi self-defense training to defend and fortify physical and mental strength and protection

Programs will mostly be led by transgender leaders and professionals including Celeste Fiore (they/them), Founder and Chair of Trans Affirming Alliance; Mariah Ayscue (he/king), singer/songwriter/storyteller; Meredith Cozzarelli (she/her), certified and licensed speech language pathologist; Laura Richardson (she/her), Licensed Clinical Psychologist and parent of a transgender adult; New Jersey Tai Chi instructor Harry Legg (he/him).

Simone Kraus (she/her), Out Montclair Advisory Committee member states, “Out Montclair’s workshop series offers resources and support for our transgender, nonbinary and gender fluid siblings and their families, to not only live their authentic lives, but find lasting confidence to be who they are. From external presentation to internal exploration and celebration, the series is the first of its kind and long overdue to celebrate and support the spectrum of gender identities. We are thrilled to get started and ignite true transformation throughout the community.”

“Through this innovative series, we are ensuring positive and supportive resources reach our transgender, gender-nonconforming and nonbinary neighbors, at a time when basics such as health care and access to public spaces are under attack across the country,” said Out Montclair Executive Director, Peter Yacobellis (he/him). “We created the workshop series to address issues of everyday life like securing documents that reflect who people are, guidance to help families support and affirm their loved ones, and professional training to nurture your voice so you can truly ‘be you/be heard.’ We are beyond grateful to the leaders and professionals offering their expertise and time to affirm and support our gender diverse family, friends and neighbors to live their lives to the fullest they want to be.”

The workshops’ fee range from free to $50 to participate. There is also a “Pay it Forward” donation option for each workshop to support a financially insecure member of the community to attend. The first workshop begins August 19th. Full details on the courses offered and registration details are available at outmontclair.org/events

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