LET’S was excited to be returning to Victoria Pride. Last year, we provided feedback to the Victoria Pride organizers. We were very pleasantly surprised to discover they had made sure to address any issue we raised. We had mentioned, including that we provided water to a lot of people with sensory sensitivities because the only water was next to the speakers. They provided us with a lot of water and battery operated pumps. And thank goodness they did! The day Victoria Pride was held, it was 38 degrees. It was so hot! We went through about 50 litres of water. (Big respect to the furries and drag performers who wore their costumes in that kind of weather – that is true commitment! We hope they were able to cool off after.)
Another item we mentioned to Victoria Pride was that there had been a search for a missing autistic teen last year. He had come with his friend and friend’s mum. At some point, he went to look at a booth and didn’t return. The friend’s mum went into an understandable panic and sought out security and police help. They had been searching for quite a time before they checked the low sensory space. He had come directly to the low sensory space and had happily sat himself in the corner and played with sensory items and stuffies. Based on our sharing this story, Victoria Pride told police and security to use the low sensory space as a lost child space. If someone, especially a neurodivergent someone, went missing, make sure to check our space. If they find a child whose parent is not to be found, they bring them to space. Previously, they would be placed in the first aid tent but there was nothing for the child to do. And, some calls required the whole team and were not the types of situations they wanted to bring a child to. If they were brought to our space, they would be more entertained. Plus our neurodivergent hosts are trauma-informed. Using us as a lost child space was a great idea and we suggested it to other Pride events.
LET’S was very pleased to receive an email, following Victoria Pride, with the following (edited to protect identity):
“I needed to reach out to thank you for the low sensory space at the Victoria Pride Festival. Without it my family would not have managed the day.
My ____ and myself were visiting from ____ and would have needed to leave 5 times over at least if it hadn’t been for the sanctuary you provided. I am grateful beyond words. We all had our own reasons for feeling the nest to retreat to the safety of the tent.
Just the space alone was enough to be grateful for, but then there were free menstrual products and sensory toys!! Best Pride booth ever!”
I am newly navigating a physical disability myself. I pushed myself to attend the festival. I could have spent the whole day in the low sensory space!
Anyways, just wanted to let you know how appreciative my family is!!”