Accessibility, Safety, & Well-being

Accessibility

The Grand Island Pride Festival is a welcoming environment for all LGBTQ+ community members, their family, friends, and other allies. The event does take place primarily on a beautiful grass lawn. There are designated parking spots for folks with handicap parking tags. Restrooms are located inside First Presbyterian Church and there is a special entrance to access the elevator. All will be labeled.

The event does feature a DJ with playing tunes full of Pride. Attendees are encouraged to bring protective ear wear if it would be helpful.

Emotional Safety

Pride is intended to be a celebration and act of community support and recognition of our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors. We recognize that public events are often unsafe for LGBTQ+ folks and that the large crowds and other factors may cause anxiety or discomfort. We also recognize that we cannot validate every individual who attends this event.

If you experience any challenges of any kind and need support, please head to the First Aid and Personal Safety Tent located near the entrance of the Festival. If you are unsure of where to go, any vendor can show you.

For our neurodivergent friends, there will also be a table with fidgets that is away from the primary festival. Please look for the signs or ask a member of the committee at the Grand Island Pride Booth.

Physical Safety

We understand that Pride Festivals have always been threatening to anti-LGBTQ+ individuals and sometimes leading to protests and escalated behavior. While we do not anticipate any challenges or issues at the Festival, we are prepared.

One of the primary reasons the event continues to be held at First Presbyterian Church is that it is a private space. This means that we can ask an individual to leave who is not safe for other participants.
We will have security provided by the Grand Island Police Department and LGBTQ+ affirming officers.
We have created a safety plan in case of an emergency. Please listen for directions from committee members, First Presbyterian staff, or the GIPD.
If you need to report any issues, please head to the First Aid & Personal Safety tent located at the entrance of the event. If there is a life-threatening situation or a risk of serious harm, please call 911.

Tobacco Free

Smoking and commercial tobacco use is prohibited at all times during the Grand Island Pride Festival at First Presbyterian Church.

We appreciate our partnership with TEACH - Tobacco Education & Advocacy Coalition for Hall County to make this possible.

Questions or Concerns?