Clara Porter stands, knees bent, demonstrating how to assess a situation for threats. She's leading a zoom training of about 30 people, who all mirror her motions.

“So the first thing is that assessment stance," Porter says. "Look all around the space that you’re in, including behind you. Are there things in this space that could be barriers to safety? Whether they’re objects or people, or anything else in the situation."

Porter is the executive director of Prevention, Action, Change, a nonprofit that teaches de-escalation skills, bystander intervention and self-defense. Participants join the training from every corner of the state, including Kennebunk, Bangor, and Gouldsboro, all with the goal of learning safety skills ahead of June pride events. Some are pride organizers, others concer

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