Awareness Guide
All individuals who supervise opening hours at the Queer Center should be familiar with this guide. As an awareness person, you may be approached. Together with the person who approaches you, or on your own, you can look up how to handle a situation in the guide “You, Me, Us, and These Structures.” During a situation, also pay attention to yourself and your needs.
Scenario
Here's an example of what this might look like when someone approaches you:
Step 1: Introduce yourself, explain the awareness room or the encounter, and try to remain calm.
Step 2: Signal to the other person that the focus is on them, that you have plenty of time, and that there is no rush. And you point out (again) that everything that is discussed will remain between you. And that you are alone and no one is likely to disturb you.
Step 3: You ask your counterpart about their needs and concerns.
Step 4: You respond to your counterpart's concerns and needs. If desired, offer support options (see below).
Step 5: Stay in the room until your counterpart leaves or says they want to be alone. Just radiate calm and focus on your counterpart.
Support options
Slow down and make it clear that the person who approached you is now in control and that nothing has to happen (but could).
Listen attentively when the situation is described.
Respond with empathy and understanding.
Focus on the person who approaches you
If desired, confront the discriminatory/abusive/violent person with their behavior and, if necessary, ask them to leave the room (or have someone else do so) -> moderation/organization
If desired by the affected person (and possible for the supporting person): comfort, encourage, empower
If necessary, encourage and support the externalization of pent-up feelings (ranting, swearing, crying, whining, screaming, etc.)
Principles of awareness work
Originating in feminist, queer, and abolitionist (police and prison criticism) movements, for example, transformative justice approaches (developed by BIPoC communities) -> state institutions do not protect people who experience multiple forms of discrimination from violence, but often exert even more structural violence themselves. The awareness concept is therefore intended to enable successful coexistence without the police, etc. Nevertheless, there may be situations in which we have no choice but to call the police, but we want to avoid this if possible.
Also actively approach people and carefully ask if everything is okay if people do not approach you on their own (accept the answer).
Be impartial towards the person and do not question their experiences.
Focus your attention on the person who was hurt, not on the person who hurt them.
Work together to explore what the person's needs are, e.g., through active listening and sensitive questioning.
Support the person in meeting their needs.
Sometimes there are several people who have been hurt.
Sometimes people have hurt each other.
Sometimes it is good to seek outside help.
Most awareness persons are not qualified as psychosocial professionals. (know your own limits)
In emergencies, it is important to call in trained professionals
There is a list of emergency contacts as well as a list of prospective counseling and contact points
Possibly check back later to see if people still need to talk
Take breaks