Self-Defense Skills for Transgender Youth

Brut America

For members of the trans community, learning self-defense isn't so much an option — as a matter of life and death. Special thanks to Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE).

Transcript

00:00So when it comes to trans people in Calmarin, by feeling safe on a day-to-day basis, that's

00:24almost impossible.

00:26When I was thinking about transitioning, the questions that were in my mind were, do I

00:32want to be unhappy with the way I am, or do what I want to do, but worry about getting

00:43stabbed?

00:44When I'm walking down the street, I have to worry about, is my makeup still on?

00:50If I sweat, am I going to sweat on my upper lip?

00:53Because if I sweat too much, someone may see a nine o'clock shadow, then automatically

00:59I'm either misgendered, or I'm the eel of the neighborhood.

01:04It's important for us to learn how to defend ourselves, and just have space to talk about

01:08the things that we experience in the world, and have tools to deal with that.

01:24When I see people's faces and people's reactions when I give trainings, it's like magic, it

01:32feels really great.

01:33Don't be afraid to escape the circumstance if it seems like it's dangerous.

01:38It's not a prideful thing.

01:40If I'm outside, I would prefer to walk with a person or a group of people, because if

01:45I'm outside by myself, I don't feel safe.

01:47Sometimes when I get on the train, guys will target me.

01:52So I'm always having to look out.

01:58They help us, like, teach us what to do in a real-life situation that happened.

02:03So I do feel safer with the techniques that they teach us.

02:07Coming here, I feel like, makes me feel more empowered.

02:10It makes me feel less insecure.

02:12It makes me feel more confident, and maybe to the point that maybe I can defend myself

02:17one day, point in time.

02:19I need to advocate for other people.

02:21I need to speak up for other people.

02:23No one else will.

02:25This is it.

02:26This is us.

02:37We have to fear that, let alone just the human chances of someone being robbed or someone

02:46being molested or raped.

02:48I hope that just people remember that life is precious, and that no one should have to

02:57fear losing it while just being.

03:00Because we're civilized people, and we're supposed to be living in civilizations.

03:04So let's start being civil towards one another.

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