‘Speak Up, Speak Out’: LGBTQ Storytelling Workshop In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of a Patch Newark community member. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Spectrum Health and Wellness, North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI) of Newark, and the Newark LGBTQ Community Center are teaming up to host the "Speak Up, Speak Out" workshop, a six-week storytelling series for transgender and gender diverse individuals that culminates in an optional storytelling performance.

Workshops will consist of therapeutic writing prompts, during which participants will be given the opportunity to challenge negative core beliefs about self and/or internalized transphobia, and cultivate a radically affirming story of self. This workshop series will take place online, with the final performance happening in person at a to-be-determined location in New Jersey.

Each workshop will be limited to 10 participants.

"We are excited to partner with NJCRI and the Newark LGBTQ Community Center to offer this workshop," said Laura Hoge, Owner of Spectrum Health and Wellness. "With the growing pushback against LGBTQ individuals in politics and media, it is critical that transgender and gender diverse youth experience a positive reflection of themselves in the world around them. This program also provides opportunities for our community to stand with transgender individuals to demonstrate that they are not alone - that there are people and organizations standing beside them and fighting for their rights and wellbeing."

Registration for the "Speak Up, Speak Out" workshop is now open. Interested individuals can register by visiting the Spectrum Health and Wellness website.

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