Due to overwhelming demand, we're delighted to be able to expand Connor Scarlett Hardy's Healthy Queer Relationships to a series of conversations and workshops on Healthy Queer Communities!
About the series:
Once we start thinking about healthy queer relationships, it becomes possible to start thinking about what we need to make healthy queer communities, invested in people's growth and flourishing. After exploring some aspects of interpersonal relationships in August and September workshops on communication, dating and friendships, and gender roles, fall events will focus on building foundational knowledge of identity and how it impacts our relationships, as well as skills-based workshops. People from all backgrounds are invited to come and learn and discuss different facets of queer community-building, seeing the diversity of identity and experience in the queer world as a strength and opportunity to build a more inclusive future. Through group discussions, scenarios, and small group activities, these workshops will combine theory with practice.
October 5th: Gender & Sexuality Theory 101
Part of what makes the queer community so wonderful is the range of identities and sub-communities that it holds. That said, the sheer number of groups, definitions, and sub-cultures may sometimes feel overwhelming to newcomers (and non-newcomers, too). This workshop will explore a brief history of queer theory, using a critical lens to notice whose voices were prioritised and whose may have been left out of early queer theory and movement-building. Think of this workshop as a crash course of the Gender Studies course that you didn't (or did) take in school. No matter your level of knowledge or expertise, you'll leave with some new knowledge about history, identity, and the emergence of queer politics.
October 19th: Consent and Boundaries
Where is the overlap between “sensual” and “consensual?” This workshop will take knowledge and best practices from community-based violence prevention and gender- and trauma-sensitive care to equip participants with an understanding of consent, boundaries, and bodies. It will cover topics including how to bring the sexy or romantic vibe into checking in about consent, mirroring language with non-cis or dysphoric partners, and identifying and setting boundaries in your own relationships and interactions. Bringing experience as a dancer/dance instructor AND anti-violence educator, the facilitator will broaden the conversation beyond dating and sex alone, focussing on how we can normalise talks around consent in every setting.
About the facilitator:
Connor Scarlett Hardy (they/she) is an anti-violence and relationship educator of many years. Connor holds a Master’s in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice, and honours degrees in Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies and Global Health from the University of Pennsylvania. They are trained as a Sexual Assault Counselor, with experience working in rape crisis and queer advocacy settings. They are a seasoned facilitator, having run workshops for audiences around the world on topics including gender, violence prevention, and climate storytelling. You can read more about Connor here: www.connorscarletthardy.com.
Looking forward…
Future workshop topics may include neurodiversity and friendship, kinship and family, and queer sex education.
The workshop will take place in our downstairs event space. Please note that unfortunately, this space is not currently wheelchair accessible.
If you have specific accessibility needs and would like to attend, please contact us at books@commonpress.co.uk and we will be happy to discuss your options with you.