ANASTASIA STANMEYER
Berkshire Pride ' s Safe-Space Project is led by Emma Lenski , Director of Education and Outreach .
Creating Safe Spaces
BERKSHIRE PRIDE ’ S SAFE-SPACE PROJECT STRIVES TO ESTABLISH SAFE SPACES EVERYWHERE
B y A n a s t a s i a S t a n m e y e r
I ’ ve learned that if you ’ re unsure about something or someone , ask questions . Otherwise , you may keep yourself from engaging with others in a
›› substantive and positive way . Listening is key , otherwise you won ’ t go far in creating a comfortable , safe environment where everyone can thrive . Individuals may think twice before entering your shop or applying for a job , or becoming friends or supporting you , or going to your school or reaching out for help . Meaningful dialogue and actively striving to become better informed create harmony and understanding — or , at the least , tolerance — where people can speak up and speak
out without fear of repurcussions . That is the message given by the Berkshire Pride Certified Safe-Space
Project . The mission of Berkshire Pride is to meet the needs of and provide opportunities and safe spaces for LGBTQIA + individuals in the Berkshires .
It ’ s a community partnership , so to speak . Taking this program is one way to show that an individual or an entity is working towards creating safe spaces for all people . I decided to take the three-segment program in a single day . ( Sliding scale prices are available , and all proceeds benefit Berkshire Pride ’ s programming .) This program is especially popular among people working in nonprofit organizations , restaurants , banks , law firms , schools , medical facilities , you name it .
I was looking forward to visiting the new home of Berkshire Pride , located in the office building at 34 Depot Street in Pittsfield . The nonprofit organization started in 2017 with its annual LGBTQIA + Pride Festival and Parade , which is held this year on Saturday , June 8 . The parade is part of Berkshire Pride Weekend — which is actually more than a weekend , stretching from May 31 to June 9 . It begins with a Majesty of the Berkshires Drag Pageant at Adams Theater and ends with a Naumkeag Pride Tea Dance . Find details on all the activities at berkshirepride . org . Berkshire Pride , since establishing as a 501 ( c )( 3 ) nonprofit in January 2023 , now offers classes and events throughout the year , including the Certified Safe-Space Project , support groups , and community outreach . The Safe-Space Project is led by Emma Lenski , Director of Education and Outreach . Emma identifies as a nonbinary queer person and lives with her wife and four dogs in Pittsfield . She has her Master ' s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is also a Senior Associate Therapist with Collaborative Endeavors , LLC . Previous positions include working as the LGBTQIA + Services Coordinator at 18 Degrees , an LGBTQIA + Counselor / Advocate at the Elizabeth Freeman Center , the Live Out Loud Youth Project ’ s Group Coordinator at 18 Degrees , the LGBTQIA + Affinity Group Leader at Miss Hall ’ s School , and founder and group facilitator of the Queer-Straight Alliance for middle school students at BART Charter Public School .
I was among a half-dozen people taking the Safe- Space Project , including individuals from the District Attorney ’ s office and school adjustment counselors . We gathered in the sitting area before the class began , and Emma appeared with a handful of pins for each person to write their pronouns and to wear . We went into a small classroom and settled in for the first session . “ What ’ s said here stays here ; what ’ s learned here leaves here ,” says Emma . And so we began , first sharing the earliest messaging we received about anything related to the LGBTQIA + community . Each person talked openly and honestly , knowing that they wouldn ’ t be judged .
Emma spoke freely , listened intently , and shared a lot of slides . She lingered on points such as being mindful about what is displayed in the workplace , like
62 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Holiday May / June 2023 2024