Self-Care to Prepare

<p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Let's face it: conversations about to for and against LGBTQIA+ people can emerge in all kinds of settings. These conversations come up at family gatherings boardrooms classrooms and congregations. Beloved I've been there. I've navigated many difficult conversations as a former pastor now atheist a former business college educator now advocate and as a post grad man who transitioned to a post op woman. How did I do it? With the </span><strong style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>S.T.R.A.W.S. Process</strong><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> - a well researched conversation guide I developed to help me listen well speak up and find resolutions.</span></p><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>The process begins with</span><em style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> Self-Care to Prepare</em><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> to help you prioritize your well-being to foster transformation and to maintain healthy relationships before you speak with the dogmatic. Each step is a book within the </span><em style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>No More Dogma</em><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> series which employs the Bible as a weapon against bigotry to safeguard your sanity joy and sense of humor. Here's what you'll gain from each book along your journey:</span></p><ol><li><em style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>Self-Care to Prepare</em><span style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>: Understand the importance of nurturing your own well-being and the well-being of others as the foundation for meaningful engagement.</span></li><li><em style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>Embrace Transformation</em><span style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>: Heal and embrace your authentic self unapologetically and break free from societal pressures.</span></li><li><em style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>Lead Reconciling Conversations</em><span style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>: Develop effective strategies to preserve relationships without compromising your values.</span></li><li><em style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>Speak Up for Accountability</em><span style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>: Learn how to be bold and courageous in confronting hatred even if it means making difficult decisions.</span></li><li><em style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>Reclaim Your Worth</em><span style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>: Remember your inherent value especially after challenging or draining conversations.</span></li><li><em style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>Stand Firm in Solidarity</em><span style=color: var(--__N4QdCheV6mGo#0f1111)>: Reflect on your role in the LGBTQIA+ community and how to contribute to a more just and inclusive society.</span></li></ol><p><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>So whether you're speaking up to hold a friend accountable healing from religious trauma reconciling with your spouse leaving behind harmful belief systems training a corporate team on DEI or learning to affirm your LGBTQIA+ identity </span><em style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Self-Care to Prepare</em><span style=color: rgba(15 17 17 1)> offers an essential starting point before you speak.</span></p><p></p>