LGBTQ community offered self-defence classes after raising safety concerns

Some members of the Waterloo region'sLGBTQ+ community are turning to martial arts after an "overwhelming" number of people who identify as gay or transgender reported feeling "unsafe and ostracized."

The LGBTQ-plusFriendly Self-Defence Programis run in partnership betweenLaroseKarate in Waterloo and the AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Area (ACCKWA).

"What we found was that an overwhelming majority [of people] found that they don't necessarily feel safe accessing services and supports in the region or even going out and about," said Ben Warren, the gay men's sexual health co-ordinator atACCKWA.

Theprogramincludedthree weekly classesthat ranout of the Kitchener-based organization, where about half a dozen adults attended this month. The last class ranMonday.

Warren said it was developed after concerns mounted in the last few years, compounded by the results of a needs assessment in the community.

TheOutLookStudy, surveyed more than 500 people in theLGBTQ community about two years ago. About 40 per cent of transgender respondents said they felt safe in public 60 per cent ofcisgenderLGBTQ community members echoed that.

"It's heartbreaking," Warren said. "It goes to show while we certainly have come far in many areas, the overwhelming feeling of unsafe and feeling ostracized in a variety of different ways is still quite prevalent within the community."

How to avoid dangerous situations

The programisn't any different than other self defence classes provided, but it allowsmembers of theLGBTQ community to gather in a safe space.

FacilitatorJolLarosesaid he also hopes tobreakdown any stereotypes related to the martial arts. As a gay man himself, he said he's noticed people turning away from martial arts due to the "machismo" that comes with it.

"[Some people are] kind of turned off by the machismo that exists in a lot of martial arts schools it's promoted in the media that there's a lot of violence or rough attitude in martial arts schools Like ultra-masculine or that you have to be a female victim," he said.

"I want to bridge that gap," he added.

Larose, who's also the owner and head instructor at the karate school, said he teaches the fundamental principles of self-defence including how to avoid dangerous situations that include punch throwing or knife attacks.

He saidhe plans tofight away the name calling and otherdiscriminationtargeted toward members of his community.

The program is set to return in the fall, when it will cater toLGBTQ youth.