For gay men, a sense for self-defense

As Dane Hall walked out of a gay club in Salt Lake City, four men viciously attacked him. Once on the ground, they grabbed Hall’s face opening his jaw wide, placing it on the corner of the curb. In an action known as curb stomping, one attacker took his foot and slammed it into the back of Dane’s head. He survived the fatal move with a compound broken jaw and multiple fragments shoved into his brain.

A tragic story like this isn’t anything new and we often find ourselves thinking things like this only happen to other people. Truth be told, anyone could be randomly targeted for an attack and most of us wouldn’t know how to defend ourselves.

A local martial arts teacher has decided to help change that. Joseph “Obi” Oberdier started Queer Impact: a free self-defense class held every Saturday at noon in Cheesman Park. Obi also specializes in queer studies and uses the term inclusively. By his philosophy, we are all queer regardless of our actual sexual orientation. This class is open to all people: men, women, transgendered, gay and straight.

Obi studied Kung-Fu in China and has taught martial arts to more than 1,000 students throughout the U.S. Yet, at 22, his young, energetic approach offers a class that is not only fun, but also sincerely interesting.

Since any skill level can attend the free class, I decided to attend Queer Impact with no previous self-defense experience.

“In a traditional martial arts class, you can’t really ask your sensei what to do if your trick continues to fuck you even after you have told him to stop,” Obi told me as he taught the notion of grappling.

While wrestling in the grass, I realized he had a point. I had no clue how to escape someone if I were to be pinned down. I also didn’t realize how easy it would be to lock ankles with my opponent and flip him or her over.

For Obi, offering this class works on three levels. First, it teaches the very necessary skills of self-defense. It also helps gays and lesbians meet and bond over an important issue in our community. And it offers a way for people to socialize outside of bars and alcohol.

All lessons come from a standpoint of what to do when someone attacks you. Students learn about human weak spots and how to utilize their agility most effectively in a surprise moment. Obi has the class practice the lessons from different angles or even with their eyes closed. He even sets up clever scenarios on how to face multiple attackers.

For those who worry about getting hurt while sparring in class, Obi has a strict “no strike” policy. If anyone actually hits someone, he or she gets a 100 push-up punishment.

I asked Obi if the class would be cancelled on days with poor weather.

“No, because you cannot predict the weather in which a person might attack you. It is good to learn these skills in all different kinds of conditions.”

He does admit that a self-defense course in snow could get pretty miserable. He is interested in finding a donated indoor space to teach the class during the depths of winter. But for the time being, it will remain at Cheesman Park regardless of weather inconveniences.
While Queer Impact will always be free, Obi does take donations for charities. Any current donations will assist the Salt Lake City victim in the Dane Hall Fund. He plans to rotate the charities throughout the year and looks forward to raising funds for Cyndi Lauper’s LGBT homeless shelter in Harlem, New York.

At the end of the 90-minute class, Obi encouraged students to continue attending Queer Impact even if they arrive late or leave early. For him, it doesn’t matter as long as they continue to learn about defending themselves.

As a beginner, I assumed my work in the gym would be enough training to stand up to an attacker. But after the class, I realized I had no actual sense for self-defense. This would normally feel disappointing. But instead I felt energized wanting to know more. Thanks to Obi, a place now exists where any of us can learn how to take charge of any ill-fated situation that may come our way.

To contact Oberdier email to ultimateobi@gmail.com.