Self-Defense, Confidence and Community: LGBTQIA+ Classes Return to Vieux-Nice

 

Nice and the surrounding Côte d’Azur are known for being safe places to live and visit, but it never hurts to learn a few skills to feel more confident and better prepared to protect yourself.

As the new school year begins, the Centre LGBTQIA+ Côte d’Azur is once again offering its self-defense 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-defense 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 a.m., and will then take place every Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m.

Class details

Every Saturday, 10–11 a.m.
Salle Walter Malatesta
8 rue Saint-Vincent, Vieux-Nice
Open to everyone
No previous experience required

To register, contact Pierre-Yves at 06 89 36 33 75.

At its heart, the programme offers a simple but important message: self-defense 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.