aequa

Critical Masculinity Reading Group - March
2021-03-10 19:00 - 21:00 (Europe/Berlin)
On March 10th, we will host the next session of our Critical Masculinity Reading Group.

While we normally like to meet in person at the aequa Community Centre in Wedding, due to social distancing rules we’re hosting our meetings online for the time being. Please register at the link below before 18:30 if you want to join us. We will e-mail you the login around 15-30 minutes before the meeting starts, so keep in mind to check your inbox. https://airtable.com/shr57PTnic2g9Ylot

At our next meeting, we will be discussing Jared Sexton’s book ‘The Man They Wanted Me To Be’ (chapters 7-9), but don’t worry if you haven’t read that much (or any) of the book, you’ll still be welcome in the discussion.

The discussion will be in English. Please let us know if you have any needs in regards to the accessibility of the book. We’re glad to help!

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Event info from the organisers:

In this group, we want to reflect on the social construction of masculinity, and how it can be improved. We want to create a space to reflect on our experiences of our own masculinity.

Masculinity is a complex concept with a huge influence on people’s lives. It affects identities, relationships, mental health and overall wellbeing. One’s masculinity can be harmful to others, becoming a source of oppression, aggression and bullying. It can also be harmful to the masculine individual themself, limiting their emotional development and ability to properly connect with the people they care about. Critically reflecting on one’s masculinity can help reduce the damage this social construct inflicts, while also paving a way toward greater happiness and self-realisation.

There are people who grapple with their own masculinity and who ask themselves what being masculine means for them. Looking for answers on the internet, one easily encounters movements such as the “manosphere” or “red pill,” which promote misogyny and are breeding grounds for the alt-right. Their terms, such as “beta male,” have become part of everyday language. We don’t want to give these groups the power to promote their harmful interpretation of masculinity. We see the Critical Masculinity Reading Group as an opportunity to build and promote a positive, 21st century interpretation of masculinity through our discussions.

With this group, we are trying out something we haven’t done before. It’s our first experience running a group like this and we rely on your help, mindset and input.

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In our first meeting, we made a decision together that we will not tolerate racism, cis-sexism, ableism, ageism, classism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia or other hateful opinions or behaviours. We avoid making assumptions about others in the group and while sharing our experiences we strive to respond with care and empathy.

Breathwork with Anja (Pin Primrose)
2021-03-24 19:00 - 20:30
Anja is a breathwork* teacher and herbalist based in the UK. They offer group and 1:1 online breathwork sessions including LGBTQIA only spaces and breathwork with herbs. They are kindly offering monthly breathwork sessions to raise funds for aequa.

Next session: March 24th, 7pm-8.15pm, Berlin time (CET)

This event will be in English and online.

Sign up here

These sessions are offered on a sliding scale from 5€ (discount ticket) to 20€ (solidarity ticket) and all funds raised will go to the aequa save-our-space fund. No-one turned away for lack of funds – if you can’t afford a discount ticket, feel free to email us and we sort you out with a free ticket (hello@aequa.cc)

More information on saving our space here: https://aequa.cc/donate/

More information on Anja’s work here: https://www.pinprimrose.co.uk/breathwork/_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

*Breathwork is an active guided breathing meditation. It bypasses the brain and lets us feel and clear any blocks or stuck emotions that are draining our life force. It enables us to access the wisdom within us and deepen our connection to source.

Freelance Peer Support Group - Get Great Clients
2021-03-30 19:00 - 21:00
Deutsch unten //

SIGN UP: https://airtable.com/shrD5klWEb8MX9Cce

Join us for our PILOT evening for a Freelance Peer Support Group! As our first topic we will be looking at how to land new clients as a freelancer and any blocks we might be facing on the way there.

This workshop will be held in English.

============================WHAT IS A PEER SUPPORT GROUP?============================

PSGs are a chance for a group of individuals with a common trait (in this case being freelance or self-employed) to collaborate to solve common problems. We will be able to voice our current challenges, and then be giving each other feedback, advice and ideas to help us conquer them. This is a great opportunity to share your knowledge and expertise if you’ve been in the freelance game for a while, or of course for people starting out and looking to grow a client base to get work from.

For now, this is a one-time pilot event. If we enjoy and learn from it and, most importantly, feel that these discussions add value to our freelancer life, then further sessions on different topics can be added in the future.

============================HOW IT WORKS============================

We’re going to be having a structured conversation led my facilitators where everyone can share either their struggles or experiences finding clients as a freelancer, and we’ll then brainstorm some solutions to share. It’s all about finding inspiration, sharing knowledge and taking positive action. There will be a 10-minute access break in the middle of the session.

============================WHO IS THE FREELANCE PEER SUPPORT GROUP FOR?============================

aequa PSGs give folks with certain affinities (for example: similar interests, challenges or experiences) the chance to offer mutual aid in the form of peer-to-peer mentorship, feedback, advice and discussion. This also gives a forum to wrestle with how those with shared challenges or advantages can help to build a more equitable future for all.

============================WHO CAN JOIN?============================

The Freelance Peer Support Group is for freelancers or self-employed people, or anyone interested in becoming so.

This meetup is for anyone with an open, respectful, and collaborative mindset.

Prior attendance to a PSG meetup or aequa event is not required.

RSVP here to join and get the Zoom link. https://airtable.com/shrD5klWEb8MX9Cce

============================YOUR FACILITATORS============================

Alexandra Koken (she/her) has been working as a freelance copywriter for 1.5 years. Her favourite things about freelancing is constantly experimenting to find a sustainable and happy balance between work and life, and her least-favourite thing about freelancing is when she’s taking notes on a call and not a single pen works.

Magdalena Klein (she/her; them/they) has been freelancing in the field of market research, communication management and marketing consulting. Her favourite thing about freelancing is variety of projects she had opportunity to work on, while learning new things from each project. Her least favourite thing is keeping track of her expenses.

============================ABOUT AEQUA============================

aequa is a community for social equity — a network of people united by our shared vision of a world in which everyone can thrive. We co-create spaces for mutual support, collective empowerment, and collaborative action. With diverse experiences and perspectives, we are brought together by our desire to learn, and to share what we have learned on our individual journeys. Together, we explore both our individual potential and our collective power.

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DEUTSCH

Freelance Selbsthilfegruppe (Peer Support Group): Finde Kunden!

Dienstag, 30 März 202119:00-21:00 Uhr Berlin Zeit (UTC+1)Auf Zoom

Mach mit beim ersten Pilot-Treffen für eine Selbsthilfegruppe von und mit anderen Freelancern! Als erstes Thema beschätigen wir uns damit, wie man tolle Kunden findet, und welche Probleme uns dabei vielleicht im Wege stehen.

Dieses Workshop wird auf Englisch gehalten.

============================WAS IST EINE SELBSTHILFEGRUPPE?============================

Selbsthilfegruppen (Peer Support Groups) sind ein Weg für Menschen mit einem gemeinsamen Merkmal (in diesem Fall dass sie als Freelancer oder Selbstständig beschäftigt sind) zusammen zu arbeiten und gemeinsame Probleme zu lösen. Wir werden unsere derzeitigen Herausforderungen besprechen und uns gegenseitig Feedback, Tips und Ideen geben, um diese zu überwinden. Der Abend ist eine tolle Chance, deine Erfahrungen und Expertise als Freelancer zu teilen, wenn du schon länger im Game bist, und natürlich auch für Leute die mit der Selbstständigkeit gerade anfangen und sich eine gesunde Kundenbasis aufbauen wollen.

Im Moment ist dies ein einmaliges Gruppentreffen. Falls es uns Spass macht, wir etwas dabei lernen, und vor allem, wenn wir glauben dass solche Unterhaltungen wertvoll für unsere Arbeit sind, können zukünftige Treffen organisiert werden.

============================WIE ES FUNKTIONIERT============================

Wir werden eine strukturierte und moderierte Unterhaltung führen, bei der jeder seine Mühen und Erfahrungen in der Kundenakquise als Freelancer nennen kann. Diese werden wir zusammen brainstormen, um Lösungsansätze zu finden. Es geht darum, Inspirationen zu schaffen, Wissen zu teilen und positive Taten zu tun. Es gibt eine 10 Minuten Pause zur Halbzeit der Sitzung.

============================FÜR WEN EIGNET SICH DIE FREELANCE SELBSTHILFEGRUPPE?============================

aequa Selbsthilfegruppen verhelfen Menschen mit bestimmten Affinitäten (wie zum Beispiel gemeinsame Interessen, Herausforderungen oder Erfahrungen) sich gegenseitig durch peer-to-peer Mentorship, Feedback, Rat und Diskussionen zur Seite zu stehen. Dies gibt uns auch den Raum, uns mit diesen gemeinsamen Herausforderungen und Vorteilen zu befassen, und zu helfen eine gerechtere Zukunft für alle zu schaffen.

============================WER KANN MITMACHEN?============================

Die Freelance Selbsthilfegruppe ist für Freelancer und Selbstständige, und solche, die es werden wollen.

Dieses Treffen ist für jeden mit einer offenen, respektvollen und kooperativen Denkart.

Vorherige Teilnahme an einer Selbsthilfegruppe oder einem aequa Event ist nicht erforderlich.

HIER anmelden um den Zoom link zu erhalten: https://airtable.com/shrD5klWEb8MX9Cce

============================DEINE MODERATOREN============================

Alexandra Koken (sie) arbeitet seit 1.5 Jahren als Freelance Copywriter. Am meisten gefällt ihr am Freelance Leben ständig zu experimentieren um eine nachhaltige und glückliche Work-Life Balance zu finden. Am wenigsten gefällt ihr am Freelance Leben wenn während eines Kundengespräches kein einziger Kulli funktioniert.

Magdalena Klein (sie; dey) arbeitet selbstständig in Marktrecherche, Kommunikationsmanagement und Marketing Consulting. Am meisten gefällt ihr am Freelance Leben die Vielfalt an Projekten an denen sie arbeiten konnte, bei denen sie immer etwas dazu gelernt hat. Am wenigsten gefällt es ihr am Freelance Leben, ihre Ausgaben zu managen.

============================ÜBER AEQUA============================

aequa ist eine Gemeinschaft für soziale Gerechtigkeit – ein Netzwerk von Menschen, vereint durch die gemeinsame Vision einer Welt in der jeder wachsen kann. Wir co-kreieren Raum für gegenseitige Unterstützung, kollektive Empowerment und kooperative Arbeit. Mit einer Vielfalt von Erfahrung und Perspektiven sind wir gebunden durch unseren Willen zu lernen, und zu teilen, was wir in unseren einzelnen Erfahrungen gelernt haben. Zusammen erkunden wir unser individuelles Potenzial und unsere kollektive Fähigkeit.

Beyond Visibility 2021
2021-03-31 19:00 - 20:30
31st March, Noon (CST), 6pm (GMT/UK), 7pm (CEST/Germany),

Sign up here to receive a zoom invitation.

Sometimes visibility isn’t enough. During these intense times, solidarity has never been more important. For this Trans Day of Visibility, Kes Otter Lieffe and aequa are organising a solidarity event to write to trans folk in prisons.

While many people on the outside are beginning to understand what isolation means, incarcerated trans people know it all too well and receiving letters and cards can be a lifeline to a caring community.

>>The session will be online and in English.<<

We’ll hear some short presentations from prisoner solidarity organisations, then we can write our letters and cards separately – but also together, gathered in a cozy, online space – and send them off.

We’ll provide you with addresses to post them to in the UK and possibly the US and other places*. We’ll also give some considerations for writing/posting safely during the pandemic.

Don’t worry if you’ve never written to someone in prison before, we’ll give you some tips and starters!

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This event is hosted by:

aequa (a community for social equity working on mutual support, collective empowerment and collaborative action in Berlin, Germany )

Kes Otter Lieffe (trans feminist author and organiser)

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in collaboration with:

Books Beyond Bars UK, a collective of volunteers who send books and other educational materials, free of charge, to incarcerated LGBTQIA+ people across the United Kingdom.

LGBT Books to Prisoners (A trans-affirming, racial justice-focused, prison abolitionist project sending books to incarcerated LGBTQ-identified people across the United States)

Solidarity Apothecary (UK herbal apothecary materially supporting revolutionary struggles and communities with plant medicines)

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*We’ll update this description as we confirm other participants and details.
