The Shields Up! program is a proactive response to the safety and security needs of not only Drag Story Hour but also the broader 2SLGBTQAI+ community. This initiative provides free resources to our official affiliates, while also welcoming collaboration with community partners outside our network to co-create safer spaces.

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At its core, Shields Up! recruits and trains volunteers to form a physical shield of love and support at Drag Story Hour events ensuring safety, providing security, and responding to threats as needed. The program emphasizes de-escalation as its primary approach to handling potential safety concerns, fostering calm and positive outcomes in challenging situations.

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We are focused on creating a replicable framework for Drag Story Hour chapters across the network, prioritizing implementation in states most impacted by anti-drag violence. Through comprehensive training, Shields Up! aims to empower local communities with the tools and strategies needed to ensure safer spaces while maintaining a focus on de-escalation and community support.

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This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering resilience, safety, and unity within the Drag Story Hour network and the 2SLGBTQAI+ community at large.