Positive Change Brainstorming Sesh

This discussion was created by Nicole Mazzeo of Pleasure Pie in response to the tragedies of the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting, the police killings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, and the subsequent killings of police.

Key

• Popcorn Style - Let people speak when they have something to say, in no particular order. Not everyone needs to speak.

Discussion Outline

Before the discussion:

1. Put up a poster that is separated into two columns. The column on the left is titled "What types of change would you like to see?" The column on the right is titled "What needs to happen for these changes to take place?"
2. Put up a poster that is titled "Ways you can contribute."

• Introductions:
  • Everyone goes around and says their name, the pronouns they use, and their favorite tree (or some other irrelevant or relevant thing about them, up to you).
• Group guidelines:
  • We're going to be talking about some sensitive things here. What are some things that would make you feel more comfortable talking about these things in this group? (Popcorn style)
• Explain the topic.
  • This discussion's topic is going to be about what we can do in response to the recent tragedies that we've heard about in the news. The discussion won't always be directly related to sexuality, but it feels really relevant right now, and I think it can be helpful for us to address it and process our feelings around these tragedies.
    • Ask people to briefly summarize the recent news events that we'd like to address tonight. Answers may include:
      • The Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting
      • Alton Sterling's death by police
      • Philando Castile's death by police
      • Subsequent shootings of police officers
      • These may not be the recent news items at the time that you use this discussion outline, so substitute 
• Introduce the first discussion question: How are you feeling about these events?
  • Before allowing people to answer, have everyone take a deep breath (or two).
  • Give everyone 2 minutes to silently reflect on how they are feeling about the recent events.
  • Have people get into pairs (ideally with someone they don't know). Give them about 4 or 5 minutes to talk back and forth about how they are feeling about the recent events.
  • Have people return to the group. Ask them to share how they are feeling about the recent events. (Popcorn style)
• Give everyone a flashcard and pen to write notes, ideas, reminders, action plans, etc. they think of throughout the discussion.
• Group discussion questions: (Popcorn style)
  • What types of change would you like to see [to prevent these types of tragedies from happening in the future]?
    • Record their answers in the left column of the first poster.
  • ​What needs to happen for these changes to take place?
    • ​Record their answers in the right column of the poster, across from the corresponding item from the left column.
  • ​Ways you can contribute
    • ​Give everyone 3 post its. Have them write one way they can contribute to makes these changes a reality. Encourage ways of contributing that feel doable, not out of reach.
      • When everyone is done writing, have them put their post its on the "Ways you can contribute" poster.
      • Read them aloud yourself, and allow each person to briefly explain what they wrote on their post its. Encourage people to bounce ideas off each other, use each other's ideas, suggest possible collaborations, and write new ideas throughout this activity.
  • How can you take care of yourself while trying to contribute to positive change? Avoid burnout, avoid being overwhelmed, still be a full person with plenty of joy and free time in your life. (Give everyone a minute to think, and then go around so everyone answers).
  • Any thoughts/reflections?

A write up of the ideas that came out of the Sex Positive Boston discussion that used this outline can be found here.