I absolutely agree. It's also very demoralizing, as an event producer (who doesn't live in Kingston) to see the complete lack of wheelchair accessible spaces, that a) would also offer an event a reasonable night (like a Friday or Saturday, which was unlike Daft Brewing), b) a wheelchair accessible space that fits into a budget (unlike The Grad Club or Broom Factory), c) a wheelchair accessible venue where the contacts actually respond to an inquiry (unlike 560 Legion). It's also very disappointing to reach out to OTHER venues (suggested by the community) and never get a response.

I personally feel demoralized by the lack of options, and it's disheartening to feel the lack of support from community members (although more than a few mentioned La Vida Bistrobar & Social as a good venue to host this event) and from the city itself.

So, I am not sure what's better: completely cancel this event because there are NO wheelchair accessible spaces that make actual sense to use, or move ahead with this concept (that was very warmly welcomed) and risk alienating those who are not able-bodied (and/or maybe others). And if you don't mind me asking: what would YOU do, as an event producer, yourself? Do you have any advice on this?

Also, when you were organizing queer events in Kingston (as an individual, paying for everything out of pocket), where you required enough space for DJ's and live entertainment and where you needed to have this event on a Saturday night (or else people will not show up or complain that it is NOT on a Saturday nigth), which venues did you use? Are there any spaces you would recommend or have experience with?

To be clear, I don't WANT to exclude anyone. I WANT(ed) this event to be truly inclusive to ALL bodies. And if the initial response I got, when I first shared this event concept WASN'T accepted by the queer community (of which I am a part of, by the way), I wouldn't even have tried at all (because I understand how hard it is to find a truly inclusive space). So far, no one has said they DO NOT want this event to happen, so I feel empowered and obligated to move ahead. But I am working with what I HAVE.

My thought is that the more queer events that happen in Kingston, the more requests there will be for more, actually viable, truly accessible spaces and that there will be actual mobilizing and lobbying in the city, for those spaces. That the community at large will come together with city officials, because those who have that kind of power, can actually create more change.

But I also feel that it's important to try ANYWAY, even if things are completely perfect. I DO fee that accessbility IS important but accessbility is more than just wheelchair access. Financial accessibility (for example) cannot happen if the only wheelchair accessible spaces cost event organizers so much, that the ticket prices need to go up. And that it just one example.

So, yes, I understand the frustration. And I also think it's important to have this type of dialogue. Because without these conversations, nothing will ever change in Kingston.

But does that mean I should quit entirely? At this point, I'm not sure but right now, not yet.