AORTA: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance

Each of the past 4 years has seen new, record-breaking numbers of anti-trans bills being introduced in the U.S.—despite the fact that the past decade has seen many wins for the legal equality of gay (and even trans) people. Despite a significant increase of queer and trans legal equality—as well as representation and visibility—we are seeing a massive, coordinated political attack on trans and queer existence. What’s going on? In just a few days, join AORTA: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance at the first Liberation For All of Us: Queer and Trans Liberation as Collective Liberation webinar. In this training, we will shine a spotlight on some of the obstacles, the adversaries, the things that block our liberation—especially the things that are often hiding, maybe sometimes in plain sight. Come unpack the connections between queer and trans liberation and collective liberation; deepen your political analysis; and learn strategies for resisting right-wing attacks and neoliberal co-optation of our movements! All the details and a signup link at https://aorta.coop/events. ACCESS INFO: Tickets are available on a sliding scale, including a limited number of free solidarity tickets. In this 3.5 hour webinar, there will be multiple breaks, the training will be recorded, and made available to participants for a limited time. This training will have live CART captioning and ASL interpretation. #LGBTQIA #racialjustice #DEI #JEDI

💡 Abolition isn’t only about tearing things down; it is about acknowledging that certain systems—like the prison industrial complex—are fundamentally violent and harmful and cannot be reformed, and that we need to resource other strategies for addressing the societal needs that these institutions ostensibly fulfill. (But actually don’t.) An abolitionist framework also distinguishes between “reformist reforms” (changes that may superficially look like improvements, but which actually expand that power of harmful institutions) vs “non-reformist reforms” (which make things better for people without expanding state power). Join AORTA: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance in honoring the revolutionary roots of #pride at our upcoming Liberation For All of Us: Queer and Trans Liberation as Collective Liberation webinars (June 26 and 30), led by worker-owners Roan Boucher and Sunny Dakota Spencer. In this training, we’ll talk about how to build movements for the intersectional liberation of queer and trans people, without strengthening violent institutions. Come unpack the connections between queer and trans liberation and collective liberation; deepen your political analysis; and learn strategies for resisting right-wing attacks and neoliberal co-optation of our movements! All the details and a signup link at https://aorta.coop/events. ACCESS INFO: Tickets are available on a sliding scale, including a limited number of free solidarity tickets. In this 3.5 hour webinar, there will be multiple breaks, the training will be recorded, and made available to participants for a limited time. This training will have live CART captioning and ASL interpretation. #LGBTQIA #racialjustice #DEI #JEDI

As we witness the current criminalization and vilification of protest—riot police on college campuses, RICO and domestic terrorism charges brought against activists, outlawing of masking during an ongoing pandemic—we are reminded again and again that policing and the state are sources of violence for marginalized communities—not sources of protection. Mainstream gay movements often celebrate Stonewall while partnering with police and abandoning the communities—poor, Black and Brown, trans women, sex workers—that led the uprising. As we approach the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall riots later this month, we remain grounded in its radical roots: an uprising against police by those most targeted by policing. As you consider what #pride really means for you and your organization, we hope you'll join AORTA: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance on June 26 or June 30 for Liberation For All of Us: Queer and Trans Liberation as Collective Liberation. In this training, we’ll talk about how to avoid shallow politics of visibility and inclusion that leave our communities vulnerable to state violence. Come unpack the connections between queer and trans liberation and collective liberation; deepen your political analysis; and learn strategies for resisting right-wing attacks and neoliberal co-optation of our movements! All the details and a signup link at https://aorta.coop/events. ACCESS INFO:  Tickets are available on a sliding scale, including a limited number of free solidarity tickets. In this 3.5 hour webinar, there will be multiple breaks, the training will be recorded, and made available to participants for a limited time. This training will have live CART captioning and ASL interpretation. #LGBTQIA #racialjustice #DEI #JEDI

"For Love of My People", the June newsletter from AORTA: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance is live! This month's issue is all about celebrating and nurturing our collective lifeforce. Our love letter to you includes reflections on what it takes to build and sustain power for collective liberation; the AORTA offerings we're featuring this month include the public launch of our Liberation for All of Us training and a June SkillUp! Intensive advanced facilitation training; and our Heart Space shares all kinds of resources that are rooted in a love ethic, support our liberatory education, and uplift the interconnectedness of all liberation movements. Find all the richness in this month's issue at https://lnkd.in/gWiHMGap and sign up to get future issues at https://lnkd.in/gEScca5M Featured Artwork: "Black, Trans & Alive (Qween's Song)" by Glori Tuitt #cooperatives #nonprofits #racialjustice #LGBTQIA #pride #juneteenth

This one is for all of us who know in our hearts that there has to be something more to getting free than what we do at our day jobs. If that's you, change it up this pride month - join AORTA: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance for Liberation For All of Us: Queer and Trans Liberation as Collective Liberation. Why? Because - especially during pride month - (neo)liberalism tells us tricky lies about how we get free, like:  ❌ institutional nonprofits are our most effective vehicle to fight for liberation;  ❌ liberation will come when marginalized groups gain formal legal equality in status quo institutions;  ❌ we can reform violent systems to support liberation. In this training, we’ll build new narratives about liberation. Come unpack the connections between queer and trans liberation and collective liberation; deepen your political analysis; and learn strategies for resisting right-wing attacks and neoliberal co-optation of our movements! DATES:  Wednesday, June 26 OR Sunday, June 30 TIME:  10-1:30pm PT 11-2:30pm MT 12-3:30pm CT 1-4:30pm ET ACCESS INFO:  Tickets are available on a sliding scale, including a limited number of free solidarity tickets. In this 3.5 hour webinar, there will be multiple breaks, the training will be recorded, and made available to participants for a limited time. This training will have live CART captioning and ASL interpretation. All the details plus registration form at https://aorta.coop/events

What do Marie Kondo and anti-oppression organizational equity work have in common? (Also: 🤸♀️ This season's priority deadline for AORTA: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance custom client applications is tomorrow!) Check out what AORTA facilitator, Roan Boucher, has to share about the common issues that groups may not expect to experience when embarking on an organizational equity or transformation journey. When we bring attention and care to the people and areas of our organizations that have experienced relational neglect, we can create organizational and movement culture that empower workers and supports everyone’s needs being met. For more than a decade, we have worked with a range of groups to coach organizations through the growing pains of culture change and becoming more equitable. Learn more about how AORTA can support your group this year by completing a brief intake form https://aorta.coop/intake. Priority deadline for applications is June 1st. hashtag #DEI #equity

🔥 Registration Now Open! Liberation For All of Us: Queer and Trans Liberation as Collective Liberation. Queer and trans liberation will never come in the form of militarism, imperialism, colonialism, or empire. Tactics like pinkwashing, moral panic, neoliberal reform, and bids for formal legal equality are often employed to obscure violence and package it as freedom. Come and learn about these tactics and how to fight them! DATES: Wednesday, June 26 OR Sunday, June 30 TIME: 10-1:30pm PT 11-2:30pm MT 12-3:30pm CT 1-4:30pm ET ACCESS INFO: Tickets are available on a sliding scale, including a limited number of free solidarity tickets. In this 3.5 hour webinar, there will be multiple breaks, the training will be recorded, and made available to participants for a limited time. This training will have live CART captioning and ASL interpretation. All the details plus registration form at https://aorta.coop/events

🔥 Am *I* the drama??? In all our work with clients, AORTA: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance prioritizes relational tending as a key part of any organizational development process. Why? Check out what AORTA facilitator and worker-owner, Dana Pedersen, has to share about the common issues she notices groups experience when trying to make organizational changes without tending to relational issues first. For more than a decade, AORTA has worked with a range of groups to guide group processes in order to tend to our most foundational resource—relationships. When we tend to the relational conditions in our groups and organizations, we can access clearer and fluid pathways towards organizational transformation, helping our movements for liberation advance more easefully. Learn more about how AORTA can support your group this year by completing a brief intake form at https://aorta.coop/intake. Priority deadline for applications is June 1st. #coaching #facilitation #consulting #nonprofits #cooperatives #socialjustice

🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 In honor of Pride Month, AORTA: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance is debuting a public-facing version of our training, Liberation For All of Us: Queer and Trans Liberation as Collective Liberation! 📣 Attacks on trans and queer communities are on the rise; come learn why—and how all of our liberation is at stake. This training will unpack the ways that political violence against trans and queer people is foundational to a right wing strategy that attacks ALL oppressed communities and makes us all less safe. We will look at how anti-trans oppression is inextricable from other systems of oppression, and how fighting back is crucial to all of our movements. Learn how to integrate a critical queer and trans lens into your work; shine a light on some of the often-hidden forces that attack, obstruct, and co-opt our liberation; and better understand the political landscape that impacts all of our lives. Join us for one of two webinar events next month. Event details below and at https://aorta.coop/events. DATES: Wednesday, June 26th (register at https://lnkd.in/g9uxd8Pp) OR Sunday, June 30th (register at https://lnkd.in/gxMj7Q4k) TIME: 10-1:30pm PT 11-2:30pm MT 12-3:30pm CT 1-4:30pm ET ACCESS INFO: Tickets are available on a sliding scale, including a limited number of free, solidarity tickets. In this 3.5 hour webinar, there will be multiple breaks, and the training will be recorded, and made available to participants for a limited time. This training will have live CART captioning and ASL interpretation. What people are saying about the training: “An amazing transformative and necessary training for all! Eye opening and engaging!” “AORTA provided such an informative and educational training that highlighted the importance of intersectionality when it comes to trans liberation and decolonization. 10/10 would take this training again!” “The structure of this training and AORTA’s ability to read the room with breaks at the right moment and for the appropriate length of time were masterful. Typically, I hate all things zoom, especially workshops because my ADHD makes it very difficult to lock into it and stay engaged; but the facilitation and atmosphere created in this training provided us with the ability to engage verbally and non-verbally.” #LGBT #

🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 In honor of Pride Month, AORTA: Anti-Oppression Resource & Training Alliance is debuting a public-facing version of our training, Liberation For All of Us: Queer and Trans Liberation as Collective Liberation! 📣 Attacks on trans and queer communities are on the rise; come learn why—and how all of our liberation is at stake. This training will unpack the ways that political violence against trans and queer people is foundational to a right wing strategy that attacks ALL oppressed communities and makes us all less safe. We will look at how anti-trans oppression is inextricable from other systems of oppression, and how fighting back is crucial to all of our movements. Learn how to integrate a critical queer and trans lens into your work; shine a light on some of the often-hidden forces that attack, obstruct, and co-opt our liberation; and better understand the political landscape that impacts all of our lives. Join us for one of two webinar events next month. Event details below and at https://aorta.coop/events. DATES: Wednesday, June 26th (register at https://lnkd.in/g9uxd8Pp) OR Sunday, June 30th (register at https://lnkd.in/gxMj7Q4k) TIME: 10-1:30pm PT 11-2:30pm MT 12-3:30pm CT 1-4:30pm ET ACCESS INFO: Tickets are available on a sliding scale, including a limited number of free, solidarity tickets. In this 3.5 hour webinar, there will be multiple breaks, and the training will be recorded, and made available to participants for a limited time. This training will have live CART captioning and ASL interpretation. What people are saying about the training: “An amazing transformative and necessary training for all! Eye opening and engaging!” “AORTA provided such an informative and educational training that highlighted the importance of intersectionality when it comes to trans liberation and decolonization. 10/10 would take this training again!” “The structure of this training and AORTA’s ability to read the room with breaks at the right moment and for the appropriate length of time were masterful. Typically, I hate all things zoom, especially workshops because my ADHD makes it very difficult to lock into it and stay engaged; but the facilitation and atmosphere created in this training provided us with the ability to engage verbally and non-verbally.” #LGBT #