How To Make Your Pride Event More Accessible

by Scott Guy

Although Pride Month is over, Pride celebrations and events continue across the world all summer long! Big companies often make a show of changing their logos for the month of June, but lack real solidarity and allyship by the time July rolls around. When they are challenged to uphold those values beyond the aesthetic, they often leave queer folks in the dust to fend for ourselves (remember the Dylan Mulvaney situation from last year?).

In reality, Pride is more than just a celebration of queer people thriving in their own skin - Pride began as a protest organized by queer people of intersecting identities. 

Whether you’re planning a protest or a party (or some epic combination of both), it’s important to make sure that your Pride event is safe and comfortable not only for white, neurotypical, cisgender gays, but also for intersectional queer identities. 

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list! Different folks may need different accommodations depending on their experiences and intersecting identities. These are just a few basic ways to improve your event. So, without further ado, here are some tips for making your Pride event as accessible as possible for disabled queers:

1. Ask attendees to wear a mask at your event (bonus points if you can give out masks for free)!

   
   

Most people seem to think that the pandemic ended once mask mandates and restrictions were lifted. In reality, capitalism decided that industry needed to continue and productivity needed to increase, and that immune-compromised folks were expendable in exchange for wealth. As a result, a lot of immune-compromised queer people miss out on Pride events and their voices are not heard. Wearing a mask, requiring masks, and handing out masks at events is a very easy way to increase safety for everyone attending your event!

2. Make sure all entries or routes are wheelchair- and mobility aid-friendly!

   
   

Making sure that every entryway, exit, washroom, and other point at your event is physically accessible to wheelchair and mobility aid users is a basic way to make sure that everyone in your community is physically able to attend your event.

If your space is not accessible, try your best to either solve any accessibility issues with the space (using a makeshift ramp, for example), find an alternate space, and, in the absolute worst-case scenario, inform event-goers of the accessibility flaws of your venue and try to host an online version of your event near the time of the in-person event. If your event is outside, try to find a clear space away from roots, potholes, or other obstacles, and clear the ground to make sure it is hazard-free.

3. Make a schedule for the event and share it with everyone who is attending!

   
   

Big events can be very overwhelming for neurodivergent queer community members, and the predictability that comes from having a schedule available can make all the difference for ND folks deciding whether to attend. Knowing the order of events, understanding how different activities will play out, and even knowing roughly how many people will be there can make your event a much safer and more comfortable experience for neurodivergent attendees. 

4. Set up a decompression space where folks with sensitivities to light, noise, or crowds can go to get away from the chaos to recharge their batteries!

   
   

Even if your event doesn’t involve strobe lights or seem very chaotic at a glance, there is usually something overstimulating about any given event that you may not be able to plan for. Setting up a quiet space away from the action is such a relief for disabled folks who want to have fun while remaining safe and comfortable. Your decompression space should have things like snacks, water, seating, and shade (if outside), and should be scentless, quiet, and ambiently lit (no overhead lighting!). 

*Note that folks who take antidepressants or SSRIs (or various other medications) are more susceptible to dehydration during the warmer months, making water especially important!

5. Make sure there’s seating!

   
   

Even outside of your compression zone, to have a truly accessible event, seating is a MUST. You never know when someone will need to sit down for mobility reasons, because they are dehydrated, or even just because they kind of feel like it. Seating is a really important and simple way to make an event safer for attendees, and it is often overlooked. If you are unable to provide seating for attendees, ask folks to bring their own seating. If your event is outside, recommend bringing a blanket (for grass), a hammock, or a camping chair. And yes, this rule also applies to events that aren't stationary.

6. More than anything - ask folks what their needs are!

   
   

Perhaps most importantly, ASK PEOPLE WHAT THEY NEED!!! Do not assume that anybody needs help with anything (but make your event as accommodating as you can), and do not touch anybody without asking. Consent is key! Do not share someone else’s disability status with the rest of the group, do not assume that someone needs help without asking, and don’t leave anyone behind! Pride is all about coming together and celebrating. 

7. Ask for feedback at the end of your event!

One of the best ways to support queer disabled people (and to be generally considerate) is to ask for feedback at the end of your event. Whether through a feedback form, face-to-face, or another way, finding out what people enjoyed can be really validating as an event organizer and will help you to know what to continue doing in the future, while negative feedback will help you understand which needs were not met and how you can improve for next time. 

Remember - not everything about your Pride event can or will be perfect, and you will make mistakes. But, disability pride and allyship is about trying your best, listening to the feedback you receive, and centering intersectional voices. Your event might not go exactly to plan, but that’s okay - there's always next year!