Should I stay at home or should I go?
- 13 Feb 08, 12:38 AM
This evening, my girlfriend is reading as part of a guest readers series for our local gay and lesbian newspaper, . I always go to her readings, not only because I’m a supportive partner and a big fan of her work, but also because I like to hear other authors and be out in the scene. Unfortunately, I’m really conflicted about going to this event and it doesn’t involve not having the right outfit (known in my circles as a “fashion crisis”) or feeling anti-social because of being in pain. I feel that if I go I will be selling out my wheelchair using brothers and sisters and I’ll basically suck as an ally.
Here’s the thing: the venue is not wheelchair accessible. I have pain and can’t walk far, but I can do stairs and tonight there will be quite a few of them. When I found out that the venue is not accessible, I emailed the organizer and said how really pathetic it is that in 2008, queers with disabilities are still having to fight for basic access to events that are supposed to be for the whole community. For those not in the gay world, let me just tell you that for years and years we’ve been very vocal about making sure that events are accessible. I first started writing letters and making calls around this issue back in 1988. I know than non-gay activists have been working very hard for many years as well, but I think we tend to expect more from gay organizations because they have been so intensely politicized. Gays and lesbians have been working on issues of “access” (in terms of access to human rights) for many decades now. So, for a large gay newspaper to arrange a reading series at a little café that sits atop a whole mess of stairs is just bloody wrong. Hence, my angry email.
To his credit, the organizer called me right away to talk about my email. That’s about where my praise for him ends. He said he didn’t think about making it accessible. He said it’s really hard to find a space that has everything they want and this place is licensed and has a piano. Imagine that! No crips in site, but plenty of beer and tinkling ivories. I appreciate ambiance as much or more than the next person, but where are their priorities? I told him I wasn’t sure I wanted to attend given than a friend of mine who uses a chair could not be there. His answer to that? He and the owner of the café would be willing to carry anyone up the stairs who needed it. Sigh. Can you understand the depth of my anger and disbelief? I told him that though I couldn’t speak directly for people who use wheelchairs, I could reasonably assert –given my years in the disability community– that no wheelchair user feels that it is very dignified to be carried into an event. I think the organizer thought he was being very chivalrous. I mean, he had taken the time to call the café owner before calling me. Too bad he didn’t call a disability organization and ask about access issues and sensitivity. And then there’s the plain reality that two fellows can’t freaking carry a heavy electric chair and its occupant up some old stairs on the outside of a building. Who could even insure themselves for that? This was his solution?
Obviously, I educated the fellow and said that the next reading in the series shouldn’t be at this venue. He said they had an agreement with the café. A verbal agreement as compelling perhaps as that piano?
My partner wrote to the newspaper and I will write another letter to the editor. We won’t just let this slide. But what about tonight? Do I go hear her read or do I send another note to the organizers saying that I couldn’t do it and won’t support this event? Am I being a jerk and not taking enough of a stand against ableism? Honestly, I'm really not certain. What I am certain of is that I won’t be silent. It’s 2008 and, yes,we still need to raise our voices and claim our rights.
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Comments
If you feel the need to complain about every inaccessible gay event/venue, you wouldn't last a day in London where there's not one fully accessible gay venue.
"feel the need to complain"? i can only imagine that you did not mean to sound snotty, since if someone cannot complain about inaccessibility on the ouch site, where the heck can they complain?
the thing is, at least where i live in vancouver, there are many accessible locations. it is not about availability of accessible gay venues, it is about not prioritizing the inclusion of people with disabilities.
if there actually is no accessible gay venue in london, couldnt people organize things elsewhere, in places that were not specifically queer but were open to hosting events?
Hopefully, I would last more than a day in London and my concerns would be seen as not merely complaints. Queer activists here in Canada have made an impact on the scene. Queer Youth groups are very aware of making things completely accessible including, but not limited to, sign interpretation, financial accessibility and wheelchair access. Our big LGBT dance nights are held in an accessible space and the posters for the event include a contact number for people to call if they have some need for disability-related assistance. This type of awareness is there because we made our voices heard.
Certainly, there are some events that are not accessible. This event, like I said, is organized by our nation-wide (ie. well-funded) newspaper and they should have done better. They have many options for a gay or gay friendly space in Vancouver. Just down the block, in fact.
I agree with Sarah, that finding venues that might not be specifically gay but that are accessible ought to be a priority in every gay community.