| The Power in ALL of US
Creating A Greater Understanding
The story of "US" resides within each and every person in our community. We invite everyone to join in this experiece and conversation. In order to connect the dots of various opinions, ideas, values, and beliefs regarding gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, it is necessary to create opportunities to bring together a diverse group of persons. In particular, we reach out to people who are "wrestling" with their understanding, and are seeking a way to take a deeper journey.
Facilitator and Life Coach, Dotti Berry, offers a three-hour workshop, She utilizes a process called Shift2Relate™, which encompasses an open question process, for helping participants connect in deeper communication relative to "wrestling" with a greater understanding of GLBT people. The first hour focues on setting the foundation for the workshop by asking "What is marriage? What is a Man? What is a Woman?" These are important questions as all have loaded meanings regarding our understanding of marriage, sexual orientation and gender identity and gender expression. In the second hour, Dotti Berry and Robynne Sapp share their stories and answer questions, utilizing their background and experiences to offer insight into this hot button issue. They educate people about gender variance and sexual orientation, and how equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons are affected by the current laws in our country. The third hour consists of small group exercises, where participants get to look at "framing the issues" through a method called Socratic questioning. As well, people leave the workshop with some new tools in place for creating deeper connections and conversations with anyonewhose opinions/ideas/beliefs differ from theirs. Each person is encouraged and supported in taking the Shift2Relate™ Challenge.
Dotti Berry & Robynne Sapp – They were one of 3,000 couples married in Portland, Oregon on March 7, 2004, where they were married by Rev. Bernie Turner, a Baptist minister from McMinnville, Oregon. In 2005, their marriaged was voided by the state of Oregon. Dotti and Roby were both brought up in Christian families who have neither accepted them as lesbians, nor celebrated their marriage. Being a same gender couple, they will offer a perspective of the effects of current marriage laws in our country. They continue to transcend the barriers, helping to create and contribute to the dialogue on “What is marriage?” as they bridge the divide, empowering people’s hopes and dreams for greater understanding as we all move toward a better future.
Comments from participants
Contact Dotti Berry at dotti@GayIntoStraightAmerica.com if you are interested in this workhop.
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