What we’re about
Civil, respectful conversation with people with different political views?
Yes, it is possible. We’re doing it and you can, too.
Crossing Party Lines is YOUR brave space to meet and talk with people you disagree with and may not even understand. You might even have fun!
Our events include:
- DISCUSSIONS: We meet as small groups where you can talk to real people about the issues that divide us. Share your unique insights, encounter new perspectives and new ways of looking at the world, and experience what it's like to feel heard and understood.
You'll find that it is possible to disagree in a way that leaves you feeling true to yourself and your beliefs without losing your friends or your cool.
- WORKSHOPS: We teach the skills you need to effectively talk across differences. You will learn ways to foster curiosity and invite listening, acquire strategies for overcoming common communication barriers, and develop the confidence to talk politics with people you know, live, and work with.
- COMMUNITY EVENTS: We’re not just about talking – we’re also about community. We host game nights, screen videos, share books, and offer many other ways of connecting across differences.
At all events, trained facilitators set the tone of the discussion and help the group build trust. Come see what civil, respectful conversation is like. Who knows, you might make friends with someone you disagree with!
More about Crossing Party Lines:
We are a national nonprofit with chapters in eight states. Because we believe that the success of America’s unique democracy relies on the diversity of our viewpoints, we encourage people of all political views and parties to join and participate.
Come learn, explore, practice, and grow with us. Join this grassroots movement and become the change in your community.
Note: Due to COVID, most of our events are online. Unless otherwise stated, events are open to all Crossing Party Lines chapters, giving you a chance to interact with people from all over the country.
Sponsors
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Crossing Party LinesOur national parent organization
Cinema Arts CenterCinema Arts Centre (CAC) partnering with CPL to bring events to you!- Crossing Party LinesOur national parent organization
- Cinema Arts CenterCinema Arts Centre (CAC) partnering with CPL to bring events to you!
- Crossing Party LinesOur national parent organization
- Cinema Arts CenterCinema Arts Centre (CAC) partnering with CPL to bring events to you!
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Navigating the Debate Around Trans IssuesCinema Arts Centre, Huntington, NY
Across history and cultures, understandings of gender have shifted—but in recent years, debates around transgender identity have become a central flashpoint in politics, education, healthcare, and public life. Some argue that self-identification is a basic human right, that gender-affirming care saves lives, that trans youth deserve support and protection, and that trans people deserve full inclusion in society, including in gendered spaces. Others raise concerns about the impact on women’s rights, fairness in sports, the safety of medical transitions for youth, the influence of social contagion, undermining of parental rights, and the need to protect free speech and biological reality.
All of the aforementioned positions are often rooted in deep values—such as autonomy, safety, fairness, truth, and justice—even when they conflict. Our goal is not to erase disagreement but to engage with it openly and respectfully. We foster a space where all voices are heard, without hate or personal attacks, and will approach this conversation with courage, care, and a commitment to deeper understanding, exploring questions that may include:
- How do you think the conversation around transgender rights has shifted in recent years—what changes have been positive, and where do you think the discourse has taken a more challenging direction?
- How does the idea of self-identification challenge or resonate with your understanding of identity and dignity?
- Do you think we should treat things like medical care, ID documents, and social recognition differently for trans kids versus trans adults?
- What does “protecting women’s spaces” mean to you—and who should be included in those spaces?
- How do you personally navigate the balance between inclusion and fairness in gender-specific settings such as gendered sports?
- Have you ever felt conflicted between expressing your views honestly and respecting someone else’s identity?
A few helpful links to learn about this topic:
- Are Americans Becoming ‘More Trans’?
- How the Gender Debate Veered Off Track
- Post-Election, the Transgender Movement Continues to Deny Reality
- The Bureaucratic Nightmares of Being Trans Under Trump
Join the Crossing Party Lines discussion and have a voice in our nation’s conversation! People of all views are welcomed, appreciated, and heard.
Follow the conversation on our social media:
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Past events (181)
See all- Network event53 attendees from 11 groups hostingFoolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build ImmunityThis event has passed
