Our region is known for being a safe place to live and visit, but it never hurts to learn a few skills to feel more confident and be better prepared to protect yourself.
As summer ends and the new school year begins, the Centre LGBTQIA+ Côte d’Azur is once again offering its self-defence classes in Nice – an initiative that has been helping people build confidence and feel safer for the past 10 years.
For the LGBTQIA+ community, self-defence can mean far more than learning a physical skill. In a world where homophobic and transphobic violence remains a reality, knowing how to respond in an uncomfortable or threatening situation can provide an important sense of confidence and reassurance.
The aim, however, isn’t to create a room full of combat champions. Quite the opposite.
These classes focus on simple, practical techniques designed to help participants react quickly when faced with a difficult situation, including ways to dodge, evade and use basic holds to create an opportunity to get away safely.
And you don’t need to be athletic or have any previous experience to take part.
Participants progress at their own pace, with an emphasis on respecting individual bodies, abilities and limitations. There is no competition, no intimidation and no pressure to perform.
Instead, the classes are designed around a friendly, inclusive and supportive environment where people can learn together and gradually develop greater confidence.
Leading the sessions is Melody Malatesta, a passionate coach and teacher who welcomes participants whatever their existing level of fitness or experience.
The classes resume on Saturday, September 26, at 10 am, and will then take place every Saturday from 10 to 11 am.
At its heart, the programme offers a simple but important message: self-defence isn’t about learning to fight, it is about learning that you have options.
For LGBTQIA+ people navigating public spaces where harassment, intimidation or violence can sometimes be a concern, that knowledge can be empowering in itself.
And after a decade of classes, the programme continues to demonstrate that creating safer communities isn’t only about responding to violence after it happens. It’s also about giving people the tools, confidence and solidarity to feel more secure in the first place.
CLASS DETAILS
Salle Walter Malatesta, Vieux Nice
Every Saturday, 10 – 11 am
Open to everyone | No previous experience required
To register, contact Pierre-Yves at +33 (0)6 89 36 33 75
VENUE DETAILS
Salle Walter Malatesta
8 rue Saint-Vincent
06300 Nice
PHOTO CREDITS
- Lead image by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash, licenced under the Unsplash License
- All other images courtesy Centre LGBTQIA+ Côte d’Azur
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