By Anthony Costello, March 12, 2015.
HERO Phoenix, an organization geared toward securing LGBT rights through education and training, will host its annual Camp HERO at the Phoenix Pride LGBT Center March 21-22.
The mission of the two-day workshop is to “teach the principles and skills of community organizing to LGBT activists and their allies.”
From storytelling exercises and group activities to lectures and volunteer opportunities, the 20-hour training is designed to inspire and empower attendees to share their personal messages in the name of enacting change.
“HERO’s soul has always been to advocate and change hearts and minds,” said Meg Sneed, HERO Phoenix co-chair. “Camp HERO came about because … we asked ourselves what we could do to get more people involved ... get people more engaged with rallies and events.”
Since HERO formed in early November 2008, its goal has been to educate people on how to become more visible and get informed about the various issues the LGBT community endures daily. It was this goal, coupled with training sessions and educational resources that drew Sneed to HERO three years ago.
“It’s empowering to hear everyone’s story no matter what it is. It can be really raw, but that is why all through the civil rights movement storytelling played a huge part. It affects all of us as individuals and we can feel that connection,” Sneed said. “Exploring all these different aspects of your life, you realize you have stories you didn’t realize were impactful. We’ve had people have breakthroughs here [at Camp HERO] and it’s really emotional to see.”
According to Sneed, the first day of Camp HERO includes the “heart” sessions which ask why are we here and why are we involved.
“We have [attendees] tell their story with no interruption,” Sneed said, “We help them illustrate what they’re trying to say so they can work to create that change … and how to clearly convey their message. It’s emotionally draining but [but it’s] empowering.”
The second day’s sessions are centered on the “head” and highlight how to employ concrete skills to create action.
“Strategy Idol,” one session designed to get participants critically thinking on issues in the community and how to effectively approach them, asks participants to collaborate with group members on a course of action to combat a particular issue.
“We give them feedback on their action by asking difficult questions so they can go back to their groups [and] decide how to best address those gaps in their ideas,” Sneed said.
The final workshop of the Camp HERO weekend is a volunteer speed match that connects attendees with LGBT causes they’re interested in.
“Attendees can see other organizations in the community and see if their skillsets match and if it’s something they’re interested in volunteering for,” Sneed said.
According to Sneed, HERO Phoenix has trained over 300 state police officers and 50 border patrol officers on issues affecting the LGBT community.
“We’ve seen change throughout the state, and we’ve had a 96 percent satisfaction rate with our services,” Sneed said. “Our movement is so much more than just marriage equality.”
Camp HERO
9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 21-22
Phoenix Pride LGBT Center
801 N. Second Ave., Phoenix
Tuition: $50
