We often believe we can know something about other people based on what we see of their bodies. Before we’re even conscious of it, we label, compartmentalise or judge - and it can be a real struggle to relish our own bodies when this judgment happens in front of a mirror. 
The Stories of Our Bodies is an affirming and liberating circle, firmly
held in dignity, that redirects this judgement towards positive body image and bodily autonomy.
This two hour workshop builds on the living lineage of Australian Radical Faerie elder Uncle Teacosy. It's shaped from gay men’s survival of the 90’s AIDS epidemic, evolved to uplift queer&trans communities and has been offered internationally by only one facilitator.
Each participant is invited into deep connection with their body and then in turn, we share the stories of our bodies from birth til now, removing as many articles of clothing as we choose. Stories often include histories of illness, injury, gender affirmation, addiction, aging, intentional modification, shape, ability or size
What stories can the marks and folds of a body tell when witnessed in belonging and respect? How can we uplift each story and every storyteller?
This circle is for participants from the Takatāpui, MVPFAFF+, LGBTQIA+ communities, active in engaged consent and includes partial or full nudity in a non-sexual atmosphere.

Your Facilitators:

Eleven Greenstones (she/they, Pakeha) is a cultural worker, community educator, researcher, gardener and facilitator who seeks deep and fertile justice by cultivating rich soil and robust, adaptive communities. 

val smith (Pākehā, they/them) is a choreographic artist-researcher and educator based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa. Their practice engages critical somatics and friendship-based collaboration to explore the socio-political dimensions of whiteness, queerness, and transness within the cultural context of Aotearoa.