De-escalation Training for Outdoor Live Events

Participants will hear examples of how to prepare for, observe and interact with outdoor celebratory crowds and unintended/unwelcome passersby. Our facilitators will help attendees identify skills they already use to realize and refine their own style of de-escalation.

We will share a style of leading with intentional responses, positive intentions and vibe checks, instead of carceral personas and reactions. You'll be given some questions to ask before events to prepare for potential safety scenarios.

DeX Santillan is a genderqueer, masculine of center, brown queer who builds community by meeting folks where they are at. DeX does this by curating space for folks to share experiences, knowledge and support for each other.

Over the past 15 years, Lark has facilitated, planned and participated in nearly 2,500 events. They now use these lived experiences to help others prepare for gatherings in a way that is human centered and grounded in liberation meeting radical hospitality.

When you hear de-escalation, what comes to mind? Have you experienced a situation that needed you to de-escalate? How did you do it? What skills were you flexing? What events are you planning that you want to apply de-escalation to?