Nobody wins in a fight, especially when it’s directed at a member of the LGBT community and fueled by discrimination and fear.
In a training facility in the Strip District with matcovered floors and walls, about 20 people took part in a self-defense class in March specifically for transgender people.
Led by instructors Jonah Thompson and David Reese, the five-hour workshop at Stout Fitness Pittsburgh organized by TransPride Pittsburgh and the GLCC first discussed how to best avoid physical situations, then practiced defense techniques to use if the interaction would turn violent.
Thompson, with a military and law enforcement background, stressed the importance of good decision-making leading up to a situation that could turn physical.
“There’s no good reason to get into that physical altercation,” he told the participants. “Sometimes they happen, but that should be extraordinarily rare. If they do, be violent enough, fast enough to break that initial contact, and get away.”
Lucas, a 35-year-old trans participant, says he was glad situational awareness – noticing the signs of a hostile environment or dangerous situation and avoiding them – was stressed by the instructors.
“A lot of people, the minute they’re threatened, they’re going to try to fire back and I think that escalates the situation, so learning how to avoid is probably a good idea,” Lucas says. He was glad TransPride organized the event as a part of the effort to bring together the Pittsburgh trans community.
Claire, a 42-year-old trans person, says although she has had mostly positive responses to her transition, she wanted to learn proactive steps to avoid situations where people resort to violence out of insecurity and fear.
“Depending on where we’re at in our transition, it can be obvious that there’s something different about us and as a general rule, I don’t think people like differences,” she says.
TransPride plans to continue hosting the classes, possibly four times per year or during the group’s conference in September, to encourage those proactive steps, says Donna Christopher, a member of the steering committee.
“Trans people have one of the highest rates of violence committed against them in the country and the world,” she says. “The idea of this class was to give people options on getting away, protecting themselves, and learning how to make themselves aware of their surroundings. There’s a lot more that can be taught, but this is the basics to get you started.”
Situations between acquaintances are also different than those that spontaneously erupt with strangers.
Thompson and Reese discussed the importance of safe dating and avoiding completely anonymous situations by alerting at least one trusted friend of the place and time of a meeting, even checking in at the end of the night.
“You don’t have to be out and about to the entire world – what you choose to do is your business — but somewhere along the way, at least build that relationship with somebody that you feel comfortable with by saying ‘hey, I am meeting this person,’” Thompson says.
Participants practiced physical self-defense techniques like ways to defend yourself after a fall, how to best block swings, how to use pepper spray and how to handle groups.
The best defense is not to engage the other person but to remove yourself from the situation entirely when possible, so that physical fights are only the worst-case scenario, Thompson says.
“Basic self-defense is basic self-defense. It doesn’t matter who you are,” he says.
Tips & Tricks
- Practice being deliberately aware of your surroundings, especially when alone, at night, or in unfamiliar surroundings. This means staying off your phone, no texting, and no headphones. Seeing, anticipating, and avoiding potential situations is the best defense.
- Commit to avoiding spontaneous conflict, especially in social situations. Nobody wins an argument in a bar or on a sidewalk. You can only control your own actions; what you see as a verbal disagreement can become physical whether you want it to or not.
- Tell someone where you are going and who you are meeting. This applies in all sorts of situations, from jogging to dating. If you run or walk alone, make sure your route is left somewhere others can find it; if you meet up with someone new for a date make sure you tell a friend when and where you are going and contact details for the person you are meeting. Set a time to check in. A quick text, “hey, going for a run on my normal route, call you when I get back” is a huge help in any kind of emergency.
- There are no magic talismans. If you chose to carry a tool for self-defense, commit to understanding and learning all about it. Just having it with you or nearby does you no good and creates a false sense of confidence, a false sense that is greatly outweighed by the physical, legal, and financial liabilities. There is no substitute for training and education.
- Never walk while speaking on your cell phone. If you need to make a call, stop into a safe environment, and put your back to a wall.
- Don’t walk on the street with headphones. You can’t hear someone coming up behind you.
- Always have your keys in your pocket as you approach your door. Don’t be the person that has to fish for their keys!
- Know what things you have with you that can be used as a weapon – before you need to use it. If you choose to carry pepper spray (or ANY weapon), practice using it.
- Always open doors using your shoulder; look who is behind you. Never have your back to anyone!
- Never stand in the back of the elevator trapping yourself. Stand near the buttons where you are in control.
- Try to consolidate your bags into one big bag. Always keep your hands free to use.
- Walk with one hand in your pocket. Bad guys don’t know if you have a weapon ready to use.
- Pay attention and make eye contact. If you let them know “I see you” you are telling them I can pick you out of a line-up. This doesn’t mean glare at people either.
- Do not be afraid to use your VOICE. It is the best weapon you have!
- If someone mugs you for your wallet, jewelry, or bag always throw it past them so they turn to get it and you can run the other way.
- If someone wants to buy you a drink, keep it in the clear. White wine, clear cocktails, and Corona’s are hard to drop drugs in undetected.
Gabrielle Rubin is the Founder/Course Instructor for Female Awareness Self-Defense. For more info, visit femaleawareness.com.
