A town hall regarding accessibility at Denver Pride was held virtually on June 12, 2024. See the transcription below for a recap of the information that was discussed. For additional information about accessibility at Denver Pride, please click here.
Denver Pride Accessibility Town Hall – June 12, 2024
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:06:38
Hello, everyone. As you’re coming in, we’re getting our last things figured out. My name is Bryant Mehay. We’re gonna give a few minutes as other people are signing in. But we’re gonna get started here in just a minute talking about Pride’s accessibility features. If you wouldn’t mind keeping yourself muted, and if you have any questions, please use the hand raise feature and, we will get to you in the order of which you have questions. We’ll get started in here in just a moment.
All right. So I’ll get started with just a few announcements and some upcoming things for the center and for pride and then we are gonna get into this conversation about Denver Pride’s, ADA and accessible features this year. And after we go through this presentation, we will be answering any sort of questions you might have.
This meeting is being transcribed and there are closed captions. There will be access to the full transcript of the meeting available later online for anyone that is was not able to make it or needs that service. But my name is Bryant Mehay. I use he and they pronouns. I am the coordinator of elder and disability services at The Center on Colfax.
I’m grateful that you all are here and are wanting to learn more about Pride’s accessibility features this year. And so this is going to be an opportunity to lay all that information out and, get your questions answered.
I have some information for July that I wanted to share with everyone. We haven’t got this thing fully released to the our marketing yet, but we will have our Disability Pride Month Celebration on July 27 at The Center on Colfax. And that is going to be from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. And it’ll feature a resource fair and presentations from a variety of different organizations, a delightful amount of food, and a good community art experience. There’s going to be a lot of different features. This is our second disability pride month event and so I just wanted to let you all know that that is something that is coming up in July. And so I’m going to turn it on over to our pride, ADA coordinator, Doug Wooley.
[Doug Wooley] 18:10:29
Good evening everyone. My name is Doug. I’m gonna turn on my camera for a few moments just so you have a face to the voice and then I will turn it off because I don’t have great connection with video, but this is my face to the voice. So as you can see, we will have a contingent in the parade where everyone is welcome to walk and roll with us.
Real quickly just before I continue moving forward, again, I said my name is Doug Wooley. I am an individual who lives with Spina Bifida, so I utilize a wheelchair. And I give you this context so that as we go through stuff, you will see that a lot of our accessibility features that we currently have are going to be geared towards that, but some of this makes more sense as we go on.
So I want to set some expectations, some clarity. We do have a mindset with our accessibility committee that it is “nothing about us without us” as something that I’m sure a lot of folks who are living with disabilities have heard and have experienced going into a situation and we’re not being asked. How can we accommodate you? What does accommodations look like? So there is a mindset. There is a foundation of “nothing about us without us.”
At the end of the day, however, some decisions do come to my desk, if you will, and I have to make some decisions or I convey that back to either Bryant or Erin who are folks who work with The Center and are the people that get to make some of those final decisions that I may not be able to make. However, any decisions that get made about accessibility have had some sort of conversation trying to engage with individuals who live with certain conditions to make sure that we are making the best possible decision available to us.
So, some things I wanted to discuss, I’m going to use the word disability and accessibility. I understand not everybody identifies with or feels comfortable with the word disability, our handicapped, or any of these other words, but for language’s sake tonight, I am going to use the word disability and accessibility. Again, this is another thing that we will potentially be asking for future feedback on for language. But please don’t be frustrated or let that be something that stops us from having great conversation tonight.
Will PrideFest 2024 fully meet our accessibility needs? No, I want to be clear about that. The answer is no. And that goes back to the top piece of “nothing about us without us.” We have had a great opportunity to meet a number of folks and have conversation. However, we have not met individuals with every condition possibly known to humanity. And so we have not had those conversations about what accessible needs are needed. So it may not feel like certain things aren’t being met and it’s probably because we’re not, because what may seem obvious to you is not going to be obvious to me, right? Like I, I utilize a wheelchair. To me it’s obvious every place should have ramps. Well, that’s not obvious to everybody.
So if you we see something that is not accessible. I’m going to ask that later on in this presentation that you come and join us in the fall so we can have more conversation but please know if we aren’t meeting that, the only way we can meet that accessibility need is to come have conversations with us.
[Doug Wooley] Okay. Excellent. So here is the map of PrideFest. I will describe a little bit of this graphic in case there’s anyone that is not able to see it for any variety of reasons. We do have a picture of Civic Center Park. It is outlined so the westernmost boundary is the City and County Building that’s on Bannock Street. We have a number of food vendors and then if you go north, which is going to be closer to the Denver Post. I constantly wanna call it the Rocky Mountain news and I know that that got eaten up a long time ago. But anyway, it’s North. And again along Colfax. And so that’s going to be where our port-a-potties are. That’s where some of our other vendors are going to be. And then if we continue to go around to our south side, the outer boundary of the PrideFest is going to be the State Capitol or Lincoln Park that we get to take up a little bit of Lincoln Park, but will mostly be inside. Lincoln the street and then west of that. And so Broadway is a big place where we have again some more vendors, some more food and other opportunities to engage with our community. And then if you go down south into the South area, this is going to be along 14th so along where the public library is where the art museum you’re gonna find again on 14th Street a lot of vendors and then if you go into the center of Okay, I get into the center of Civic Park. You’re gonna find a lot of different installments and so in the dead center of civic park we have an art installment and then if you are familiar with McNichols building is McNichols is in the northwest corner and so it’s close to the city and county building. We also have the Latin Stage and then we’re also gonna have water in that area.
I know that was one of our big, feedback we heard. So that’s going to be one water station. And then the other water station is going to be in the south east corner. So over by the library or the Youth Alley Area. So there’s water there. And then the other 2 things I want to really highlight and we’ll highlight them a little bit more is by center stage on the inside or the side that is closest to Broadway we have accessible seating so this is an area designated for individuals living with disabilities to go sit and have that space. You don’t have to try to fight with other folks to get into an accessible seating area or walk in front of them or any of those things that I know can be challenging. And then we do have an accessible seating area for the for the parade and again we’ll get into more about that in just a moment.
Are there I don’t see any hands so I see we’re okay for right now. Okay. Go ahead and move us forward then. Maybe. Yes. Center stage seating. As I was just talking about a moment ago, we have center stage seating. You will see the sign in for those again who may not be able to see their screen right now it is a white 3 by 5 foot banner roughly and on it. So it’s a white background. We have a the wheelchair emblem of a person in a wheelchair in rainbow colors and right next to it has the words accessible seating only. This again is for individuals of any lived experience with disability. So I am gonna stop there before I go to further and clarify 1 point on disability. We are using the federal definition of disability in the sense of anything that impacts one’s life. Just keep life so that we were talking walking, sitting, thinking, seeing, hearing, all of that counts as a disability. We at the center and with pride. Do not determine that. So you don’t have to come in with mountains of paperwork saying I have ABC condition. I get to sit here. This is a self-determined thing. So, and we remind folks that we can’t see not all disabilities are visible. So let’s keep that in mind. So we do have this center stage seating where we are able to sit and enjoy.
It’s my understanding we’re gonna have some tents again so people will have some shade opportunities. And then we will have some folding chairs available so that folks can sit or stand if you like. We do ask that people do not sit or excuse me. Stand along the fence line. We know that it’s not necessarily the easiest to see, the main stage when we have multiple people standing, right? So we do have volunteers that will be asking folks not to stand along the fence line. So if you see that, that is what’s happening. We also gonna ask and we know that like pride is about going out and being able to in today’s world get to celebrate all of our uniqueness and we go out and celebrate with friends and that’s a beautiful thing and so we are gonna ask that if you have your able body friends with you they are welcome we ask that we limit it to 2 of your friends. I’m sorry to have to ask you to that but part of that is so that we can continue to have space available to everybody. And then we are going to ask that you just remind your able body friends that if they can or are willing to, give up their seat if they see someone who needs it. That’s appreciated. But again, we can’t and won’t enforce that someone has to give up their seat or anything like that because we don’t know if someone has an invisible disability as well. Any questions about center stage?
[Doug Wooley] Okay. We are very blessed to have some ASL interpretation available. It will be on center stage throughout the entire festival. We are working on making sure that the interpreter is going to be to our house left or on the left side of the stage as we’re looking at the stage. That is so we can try to get the most availability. We understand that ASL is something that you do, you can’t necessarily see from afar so we are looking at some options in the future, but just please be aware that. If you’re up in the ASL seating area, we’re gonna have to make sure that you’re sitting close so you can see that and just let us know that you need that.
But yes, we have ASL. We’re gonna have it also at the information booth down in the sponsor row. So kind of a floater, anyone that might need to ask questions or there’s concerns we’ll have that. And then we are going to have a parade accessible seating area and ASL will have some ASL priority seating if you will. So a section within that section of seating is specifically to make sure that folks who need ASL can see our interpreter and engage with the entire parade and get to see and enjoy all of the different like hundreds of beautiful entries that are now in the parade.
Okay, I’m gonna go ahead and move forward. And so here is a picture of our wonderful volunteers from last year helping us set up the parade accessible seating area.This will be along between Sherman Street and Grant Street. So if you are up in that area right next to the Capitol, you will see the announcers booth and that’s where they announce 300 some entries I think I don’t know if that’s real number but I feel like it and then We will have the sidewalk from the east of the booth all the way to this bus stop that’s kind of in the back back there. And then we will have this fenced off as you can see. We’ll have some more folding chairs and we are going to, leave some space in there so we have some wheelchair seating throughout that area. So, people in wheelchairs, people are utilizing walkers or any other mobility devices or no mobility devices have that space.
We are going to ask that everyone help us maintain an center aisle. So in the center, so as you can see on the screen or may not be able to see on this screen, my apologies. We have some fencing, a line of chairs, and then we in the picture we have the sidewalks from the chairs forward to the, curb cutout where it cuts and goes into Colfax the street. What will happen is we will continue to have that Fencing we will have that line of chairs that are along that fence then we’re asking that folks keep that center area as a walkway clear keep that clear and then we’ll have another row of seating in front right between the curve cut out in that walkway. So, again, we’re trying to make sure that everyone has access to get in and out of the space as easily as possible. And then we will have our ASL priority seating. We will have some wheelchair seating throughout the area. And then once again, we are going to ask that you limit your able body friends and pals to 2 so we can continue to use the space in a way that we can use it because we want everybody to be able to come in and enjoy.
And then, for this particular one, this particular space, I am going to highly recommend to bring some water and bring some sunscreen. We unfortunately are not able to really shade this area. There’s some bigger pieces to that are a little more challenging to get shade in this area. So you are going to be in the sun and in this if you’re choosing to be here you’re going to be in the sun for the duration of however you’re there. So just be aware of that and please bring the appropriate gear you need to stay hydrated & cool.
Alright, in the next Big thing. So I’m gonna actually back up there. 2 things that I did not put in our slide or one for sure. One thing I didn’t put in here for sure was let me go back. Okay, so I’ve gone back to the map of the festival. And as I was saying earlier, we have Broadway and then there is the sponsor alley. Sponsor Alley is down the center of the park and We now have some ramps that go from the sidewalk into the street. On this Southeast side of our festival and that is to make sure that you don’t have to go all the way to the corner of 14th and Broadway or Colfax and Broadway to get out of that park area. So that is one thing I did not put a picture in here. Just yet because we only have a picture of a curb cutout so I don’t have the cool ramps yet but that is going to be there.
Erin or Bryant, did you have anything else to mention about accessibility features that I forgot?
[Erin Marr] 18:25:48
I don’t believe so. No, you’re doing a good job.
[Doug Wooley] 18:25:50
Okay.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:25:53
No, I think that just about covered everything. Yeah.
[Doug Wooley] 18:25:56
Okay, excellent. So that brings us to what’s next and I can understand if you’re feeling like wow that was quite a few things, but also could have been more. This is where we need you. This is where we’re talking about that. Nothing about us without us. We’re going to ask you all to please consider joining us in the fall so that we can sit down and continue to have those conversations about what really worked. What didn’t work and what we need to make future PrideFest more accessible. Again, we can’t do that without your insight and your input. I can take wild guesses, but wild guesses are just that wild guesses and they’re not going to help really meet your needs. So if you are interested in being a part of those conversations, please email Bryant (bmehay@lgbtqcolorado.org) so he can get you on a list and we can continue to engage with you and have those conversations.
And I remember the other thing, the other thing, the second thing that I don’t have a picture of is I believe we’re getting some more accessible port-a-potties this year. I know that might seem like a silly little thing, but one or 2 more in each row. Really it can make a difference sometimes. So those are another wonderful thing that, Erin has been diligently working on for us.
[Erin Marr] 18:27:18
Yeah, that’s correct. Well, also, just one small addition is we’re installing ramps on Broadway as well. Just to make sure that people don’t have to, you know, go the entire way around the festival to access somewhere with a ramp that way they can actually get up onto the curve where it makes sense for people.
[Doug wOOLEY] 18:27:35
Excellent. And so. This does bring us to questions. And I’m going to actually. But we’re gonna stop sharing. Now we’re at questions. And I would love to hear any questions, concerns, thoughts?
[Participant]
So I have a question. And maybe it’s if, not, it’s too late.
[Doug wOOLEY] 18:28:30
Go ahead.
[Participant] I’m sure. But I’m curious. For people who have auditory sensitivities. Are there spaces that are gonna be more quiet that we could cool down in? I know that last time, last year when I was at Pride, I didn’t know about the feedback at that point, but when I was at Pride, some of my friends who you know all this had some neurodivergent folks have those. We got really, really burnt out at pride and we were looking for a place that we could cool down kind of recharge, but there wasn’t really a way to do that without leaving the area.
[Erin Marr] 18:29:15
Yeah, I’m happy to jump in and speak to that. This is some feedback that we’ve started to get. So it’s definitely something that’s on our radar as we plan for the next years. We are fairly limited as far as space within Civic Center Park just because we do surely pack it as well as possible. So there are unfortunately not a ton of places to go that are super quiet. I will say that at our center information ear plugs for anyone with auditory, just sensory things. I know that’s not a ton. But we also have in our health and wellness area this year, which is right near our trans area. You can check it out on the map on the website. But I know that they are kind of gearing towards that where it’s more of a, like a quiet chill zone where they’ll have some couches, they’ll have fans, misters, that sort of thing, with the hope that it provides a small portion of that knowing that within the festival there are not many places to go. Something that we’re hoping to work on.
[Participant] Sure.
[Natalie Zanoni] 18:30:16
Is it okay? I jump in, Erin? Yeah, and also in the Saga area, it’s the young adult area.
[Erin Marr] 18:30:19
Yeah, absolutely.
[Natalie Zanoni] 18:30:24
So, 18+. There is a tent that’s gonna have, 3 panels to kind of block out some of the visual and audio stimulation, as well as seating and fans.
[Doug wOOLEY] 18:30:40
Good question. And yes, the There are some things that definitely we will need to continue to, explore as we move forward. So please continue to come back.
[Participant] That was the the Saga, what was that?
[Erin Marr] 18:30:55
Yep, it’s Saga. It’s S-A-G-A. It’s our young adults program. So it’s 18+. It’s gonna be in that same area with our trans program. It should be labeled on the map for you to see, but it’s pretty much if you can see our sponsor row is kind of towards the middle of the park but closer to the Broadway side of the park, but you should be able to find them really easily. It’s a large space this year.
[Participant] Gotcha. That’s good to know. Thank you.
[Erin Marr] 18:31:23
Yeah, of course.
[Doug wOOLEY] 18:31:46
Good question. Thank you. Other questions, concerns, suggestions?
[Participant] Of course, about the seating for the parade. Can we reserve a seat or is this 1st come first first serve?
[Doug Wooley] 18:31:58
It is 1st come 1st right now, yes. And that is one thing that has, there has been some conversation about like, how do we potentially create a pass or something with enforcing ability to use these spaces and that’s a conversation that we’ll have to have with our larger community because I have some personal feelings about that. But I also hear that they would be nice to be able to reserve a spot too. So you have that knowledge. So again, that’s some conversation we might need to have in the future. So again, that’s some conversation we might need to have in the future. But as of right now, it is a 1st come 1st serve. And that’s for all of our seating areas. So by the main stage and the parade.
[Participant] Perfect.
[Doug Wooley] 18:32:44
Other questions? We did, I did, we tried to schedule this so there was plenty of time for any concerns or questions that could be brought up.
[Participant] Hello, just wanted to ask if there was going to be plans for more access to water, free water at the event.
[Doug Wooley] 18:33:16
Okay.
[Erin Marr] 18:33:16
Yeah, I’m happy to jump in with that. So yeah, last year that was Probably 80% of the feedback that we got, so we’re hoping to address that. We’re bringing in there, basically water wagons. So they’re gonna be small trailers that are able to hook up to the hydrants so that there’s an endless supply and they each have I believe it’s 6 pickets, 6 to 8 spigots, but they’re high pressure. It’s essentially like a water bottle filling station, one of those typical ones. So it’s much better than what we had previous years. That was the issue last year is that the pressure just wasn’t high enough to fill the bottles at a sustainable rate and that’s why the lines were getting so crazy. So yeah, we’re hoping that that’s gonna help a lot this year. We’re also, making sure that we have access to a 3rd location. Building it’s a little harder to find so we’re gonna put some signage out there for people but there is another location there and then we’re also putting a few extra sites that you can purchase water as well but we’re really encouraging to bring reusable water bottles, but we’re hoping that those will fix a lot of the problems as far as just filtering people in quickly to fill those.
[Participant] I have a question. So do any of the event like the main stage Or any of the activity stages, or even announcer during the Parade. Are there closed captions available like where you scan a code and you get to see it on your phone. Does that already exist?
[Doug Wooley] 18:35:13
That is an awesome question. And if that tool exists, we are not using it this year. But I will make a note of that and see if that’s something we can look at in the future.
[Participant
Okay.
[Doug Wooley] 18:35:26
We know that we’re also, everyone here who lives with a disability understands. I’m sure that in order to access things that make things accessible, they seem to be super expensive, right? Like all of a sudden we don’t have the magic money tree. Just because we have a disability. We didn’t get that, right? It wasn’t a dual thing. So that being said, it’s something we can look into and I know that we’re always going to be facing the challenge of a financial restrictions and what we can make happen. But that doesn’t say mean we can’t look into that because that might be an excellent tool for some other things. So, I will make a note of that and see what we can make happen in the future. But it will not be available this year.
[Erin Marr] 18:36:06
Yeah.
[Participant] Okay. It just wasn’t something already existed that and this was like new. Step that was presented, which was awesome. But yeah, just wanted to see. I rely on those. I use them at work and you have to scan a little code and I’m sure, you know, everything to make life easier for a lot of us. It’s very, very expensive. Yeah
[Doug Wooley] 18:36:28
Absolutely.
[Erin Marr] 18:36:29
Yeah, that is a great suggestion though. And, kind of as Doug was, talking about, cause we’ve looked into, you know, like a live feed, close caching, all those sorts of things. And those are expensive. However, If we work on it, you know, far enough out, we do have those scripts from our MCs. We do have lyrics from performers that sort of thing. So it may just be a matter of just, you know, taking the time to input those and then doing something like a QR code. I think that’s a great idea.
[Participant] And I did message to, Bryant. I wanna join the post. Pride conversation. I would love to be a part of that. So I’m thankful to be here.
[Doug Wooley] 18:37:12
Excellent. Good because my next question was, if you’re not already signed up, please do so. And then if you are aware of tools like that that exist, please let us know because again, it may seem obvious to some folks, but it’s not going to be obvious to me. So, then it’s super helpful for any tools that are already available and that as tried and true and it makes sense then yes let us know about it because I also We want to be careful not to get the tool that we think works and then communities like, that’s lovely, but that doesn’t do us any good. It’s not user friendly.
[Participant] Makes sense.
[Doug Wooley] 18:37:49
I’m glad to hear it. Yes, please. Please join us. Those are all excellent. Yes, what?
[Participant] I have a question. Is there any sort of like? Guide of what to expect, cause like I like looked at the website and everything and it’s kind of confusing like I’ve never been to pride because it seems really overwhelming, especially sensory wise, but like. Is there any sort of like what to expect guide something like that?
[Erin Marr] 18:38:40
Can I ask like what sort of information that you’re hoping to see?
[Participant] Sort of like. What’s gonna be in each area? How loud or like. Accessibility features of the area like Is there a separate area for like accessibility like? This was helpful, but like. Also, what events are happening at what time? Like it just. It doesn’t seem very easily accessible. Like I’m looking on my phone.
[Erin Marr] 18:39:13
Got it. Okay. Yeah, so, as far as like just events happening, there is a schedule, that you should be able to see on the website. I will say that it doesn’t. Like, you know, link to a map where it points out where it pinpoints where each thing is happening Or does it have like an explanation of the space? But I do think that’s a good idea. I don’t think that I can make that happen by this coming pride, but I do think that for next pride we can definitely implement that and kind of have a what to expect in a walkthrough of each specific location at the festival.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:39:49
Yeah, and, something I’m just thinking that we should have put it in the presentation. There will be an app for pride this year where, Erin, if you wanted to share a little on
[Erin Marr] 18:39:59
Yeah, sure. So our app, it’s called, The Out List. So O-U-T List. It’s really great. They’re, brand new. So, it’s definitely a trial year to see what works and what doesn’t work. So we’re looking for feedback there as well. But a lot of that information will be there so you can find stage schedules there, event schedules there based on what area you’re looking at. If you’re looking for the water wagon, for example, it can navigate you based on where you are. It can show you how to get there throughout the festival.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:40:44[Participant], go ahead and see your hand raised.
[Participant] Yeah, I wanted to share in response to that. There’s a lot of great guides for it. It’s called like a social story and it is basically that like what to expect when you enter a space that might be a great thing to consider for the app. Or the website in future years. And there’s really great resources for like how to write it, how to lay it out so they’re all that kind of standardized and what information to include.
[Erin Marr] 18:41:22
Cool, that’s super helpful. Thank you.
[Doug Wooley] 18:41:24
You said that was called social story.
[Participant] Yes, it’s used by like a lot of occupational therapists and it’s a very cool tool.
[Doug Wooley] 18:41:34
Okay. Thank you. And again, I hope all of these wonderful folks that are giving a suggestions are going to sign up and be with us again, in the fall, because as you’re hearing we are 10 days away from pride 9 days away, depending on who’s counting and how you want to count that. I’m sure Erin like, don’t, don’t, remind me. I say that lovingly, but also, So there’s some things obviously we’re not gonna be able to get for this pride, but that doesn’t mean next year. So again, thank you. And then [Participant] I’m sorry. I saw your hand up.
[Participant] What is the event on July, 27? th What is it? So I can put in my calendar.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:42:17
Yes, that is the centers, disability pride month celebration. It’ll be from a 11 to 3 p.
[Participant] Okay.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:42:27
It will have, we’re going to have a resource fair we have 9 organizations that are part of the resource fair that range from arts, engagement, social services. Variety of different organizations through Denver and then we are also going to have, 3 different presentations.
[Participant] Perfect.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:42:52
We’ve got 2, figured out and one on the works, the one that I can reveal at the moment is that we will be having us the sexploratorium come in and do a presentation on sex toys and chronic pain and disability. And so we’re trying to provide a wide range of opportunities of education, resources, and community building. And so this will be our second time hosting this event. And so, Yeah, that one is going to be July 27th 11- 3.
[Participant] Perfect. Thank you.
[Doug Wooley] 18:43:24
And the 27th is the Saturday, right? Okay, excellent. Just making sure I’m looking at the right month.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:43:27
Yes, yeah, Saturday.
[Doug Wooley] 18:43:32
I tend to do that sometimes. Excellent, okay. Any other great feedback questions or concerns? I appreciate everyone. This is amazing. But I would love to hear anymore if we, if there’s anything else right now.
[Doug Wooley] 18:44:00
Yes.
[Participant] I did have one question about the placement on the map. For that over, it looks like it’s the over 50 And the accessibility. Is that all lumped together? As far as like location.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:44:20
So yes, so the disability program is housed within our West to 50 elder services.
[Participant] Got it.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:44:30
And so yeah, our West of 50 neighborhood will be just north of McNichols. And we will have, that will be a fenced in area. We will have, a shaded space. We will have a seated space. We will be doing things like bingo. We’ve got presentations.We’ve got yard games. We are hosting the, pride pup mosh pit there as well. So if you know any, pups that is also going to be in the West of 50 area.
[Participant] Okay. Okay.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:45:00
But yeah, so they are housed in the same space.
[Participant] Okay, because I have seen different, you know, I looked at that and I thought, well, I’m almost 50.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:45:11
Yeah.
[Participant] But I also have accessibility me. It’s like, I don’t know. Okay, I’ll just, I guess I’ll figure it out. And so I was wondering like how those things came to be. Cause part of me thought like Well, maybe like the under 50 have their own accessibility somewhere else and I know that that’s just ridiculous but I’m like, well, I might as well ask since I have you how those things go together.
[Doug Wooley] 18:45:36
I do not think that is ridiculous at all. I think that you are highlighting, something that we need to talk about, right? Like we, it, I think part of it and it’s something again that I’m sure we’ve all experienced to some degree is we get houses under something else with accessibility right we get housed with our our elders there’s nothing wrong with that but there’s that difference of like I’m under 50 and I have an accessibility need.
[Participant] Yeah.
[Doug Wooley] 18:46:02
Am I welcome where what’s that line? What does that look like? So I think that’s a good question. And I think that as we move forward, be part of our part of the conversation is just been a little clear about that on our website because yeah I would hate for someone who’s under 50 not to access something because they think it’s for a group of people that they don’t belong to just yet.
[Erin Marr] 18:46:24
Yeah, it’s a it’s a great question. And I just wanna reiterate that anyone under 50 is welcome in the space. West of 50 is the producer and the host of the space and there are activities that are sometimes geared towards that community, but by all means, everyone is welcome.
[Bryant Mehay (He/They)] 18:46:44
We say it’s all of our programming is designed for people who are 50 plus but anyone 21 and up is welcome to come and participate.
[Doug Wooley] 18:46:55
Excellent. Wonderful. Other questions, concerns? Good stories. Like, there, this is again, nothing about us without us, so we need folks to come join us. Please continue to be eyes, ears and feet on the in the parade or during yes try that again during pride fest all weekend and then you know if you can make some notes if you want but bring them back so we know and I am gonna let you know that we know. And I am going to let you know that we will probably meet until August or September, because one, we need to give our production team some time off, they’ll probably meet until August or September, because one, we need to give our production team some time off, right? They’ve already put hundreds of hours into pride this year. And so I like to take July off also to July is disability pride month. So let’s celebrate that and make it to the 27th if we can. But yes it will be most likely in August when we will start looking at coming back so if you haven’t heard something by that point please reach out to Bryant so that We can just let you know what’s going on and then invite your friends, invite folks that you know, please don’t, hesitate. Okay, I’m going to go ahead and call this for the evening again. Thank you everyone for spending your Wednesday evening with us.