LET’S had a booth at New West Pride for the 2nd year. It is a great event. We enjoyed watching the broad spectrum of people who attend, including the furry table. We were so busy with conversation at our booth that we didn’t take any photos. We enjoyed our chats and appreciate all the people who stopped by to say hi.

Our last Pride of the season was Kamloops Pride. It was our 1st year. We had volunteered our low sensory space last year, which they enthusiastically took us up on, but the wildfires resulted in travel restrictions. There were 35,000 people who had been evacuated because of fires and another 30,000 who were on evacuation alert. The province needed people to stay off the road unless necessary. They also asked people not to use hotel rooms, which LET’S had planned, so that evacuees had access to options. We were sad to not be able to participate but completely understood the need to prioritize those experiencing traumatic situations.

We were glad to be able to attend Kamloops Pride this year. We typically have a minimum of 2 people at our low sensory spaces. Unfortunately, due to an unforeseen medical issue, we only had 1 person. Thankfully, we were supported by teens at the next booth over. They were part of the high schools’ Gender-Sexuality Alliance. They helped us set up and take down our booth, including a newly purchased tent that was very oddly designed. We also had local members who came by to say hey and check if we needed anything. We appreciated their support.

It was a great event and we had a very positive response to our space. People loved our book selection so much we had half a dozen people ask to buy books we had. We helped them find them online but selling some of our book selection is something we will give thought to. We had 3 groups of attendees who spent over an hour reading the books, either by themselves or 2 each other. It was nice hearing people read books. It’s also great to see adults realize that there is no age limit to childrens’ books. The books are filled with great content that resonates. And the illustrations and art within childrens’ books is amazing and varied.

Excitingly, 1 of the conversations we had at our tent was with a board member of Kelowna Pride. They had been at several Pride events over the summer and heard rave reviews about LET’S at all events. That, alone, was nice to hear but then they asked if LET’S would be interested in doing accessibility audits of their dozen or so venues. They have a new sponsor and new venues for their year-round events. They are prioritizing accessibility. They did a call-out for accessibility committee members and received an amazing amount of replies. We have since talked with them about scheduling a time for the audits.

(Parent reading to their child, as the child colours.)

At Fraser Valley Pride, we had a great conversation with a coordinator with the Reducing Overdose Abbotsford Response group. They were saying how much they would love to provide a low sensory space at their upcoming August event and resource fair for International Overdose Awareness Day. LET’S was glad to be able to offer a safer space where people could regulate emotions, take a moment to breathe, grieve, remember, and contemplate.

The event brought together a range of activities and resources to raise awareness, honour those lost, and foster healing.

Highlights of the event included:

• Sts’ailes Sasquatch Dancers: Experience the powerful cultural traditions of Sts’ailes Nation with a special performance by the Sasquatch Dancers, celebrating resilience and community spirit.
• Precarious Players: Watch a presentation by the Precarious Players, featuring material from the peer-created community play “Precarious,” which explores themes of vulnerability and how we are all affected by the toxic drug crisis.
• Live Acoustic Set: Enjoy a live acoustic performance by two members of the Undercover Band, bringing soulful music to the day’s events and enhancing the atmosphere of connection and reflection.
• Food Truck & Free Lunch: Enjoy delicious options from local food trucks, complimentary for all attendees.
• “Right to be Remembered” Memorial Wall: Contribute to our interactive memorial wall, a space to honour and remember loved ones lost to the toxic drug crisis, ensuring their memories live on.
• “We Can” Community Quilt: Participate in our community quilt project, an artistic expression of unity, support, and shared strength in the face of this public health crisis.

(Panoramic photo of stage and booths at ROAR’s International Overdose Awareness Day, Abbotsford.)

This was LET’S’ second year at Fraser Valley Pride, held at Fraser River Heritage Park in Mission. Fraser Valley Pride represents Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission.

Fraser Valley Pride has “been walking with our youth for many years. What started out as a walk around downtown Abbotsford and a BBQ in the parking lot of Abbotsford Community Services has become a week of Pride festivities in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission! We are excited to come together and celebrate diversity with our youth, their friends, families and community members.”

(A young child playing with the collection of stuffed animals.)

Last year, LET’S provided a low sensory space in addition to our information booth. This year we did the same. Based on feedback that we provided, we were moved a bit closer to the main event. We were closer to the music but we were much more visible. In addition, in order to encourage people to come to the low sensory space, Fraser Valley Pride created signs with 2SLGBTQIA+ facts on them. The signs led to our booth. We appreciate the extra effort that Fraser Valley Pride made to ensure people were aware of our services.

It was a wonderful day. Our location was among trees with shade and many chose to use our outdoor area. We had a bit of an issue because the tree had birds that liked dropping a red berry on people. The berry bled a bit and it was red so it didn’t startle a few people until we figured out what it was. We were quick with cleaning supplies when they were dropped and we warned people who sat under the trees. It didn’t negatively impact the day but it certainly caught our attention!

Part of what we love about the low sensory space is the relationships we build through conversation. We had a mum who came by to thank us. Last year, we had a long conversation about their neurodivergence. Based on that, they sought out a diagnosis and received it just before Fraser Valley Pride. They were excited to return and let us know their update. We were glad to have been a positive influence in their life. We also had a mum and her cute child who stayed in our low sensory space for most of their day. The child used our rainbow gymnastics mat for some energetic gymnastics. Then, when tired, they had a great time taking all the unused stuffed animals and piling and playing with them. It was wonderful to watch someone who was so delighted by soft and/or weighted stuffies.

LET’S was hired to supply a low sensory space at the Canada Pride Human Rights Summit. The summit was the 1st time it had been held by Vancouver Pride Society. We were proud to be a part of this event. There were many amazing speakers covering essential topics.

As advocates within our communities continually fight for human rights (both not to be rolled back and to progress), this summit had very serious discussions, potentially triggering conversations, and issues that lead to a variety of emotions. Having a low sensory space where people could take a moment to regulate emotions, take a moment to breathe and reflect, hug a stuffy, read a book, colour, or chat with the hosts.

(A table from the LET’S’ low sensory space at

the Canada Pride Human Rights Summit.)

From Fierté Canada Pride’s website:

“More than a celebration of love and community, this event serves as a call to action, highlighting the critical importance of advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights on a global scale. Over the span of ten days, Vancouver will be transformed into a hub of celebration of our Queer identities and the different intersections that make it so special.

This year, the celebration takes an important step with Vancouver’s inaugural Human Rights Conference, addressing the urgent challenges confronting the Queer community, here in Canada and globally. A staple of the Canada Pride celebration, the conference will bring together leading voices of our community who will share their knowledge and open the floor for attendees to exchange ideas. In these critical times, this conference holds heightened significance, providing a platform for essential discussions and advocacy.”

LET’S provided a low sensory space for Burnaby Pride. We also set up our information booth. The low sensory tent was well used. And people very much appreciated being provided with free sensory items at our information booth.

Burnaby Pride is composed of community members (2SLGBTQIA+ and allies) and agencies with programs and services in Burnaby. Burnaby Pride is actively seeking volunteers to join their enthusiastic team in the planning and preparation of Burnaby Pride.

This was a year of change for Burnaby Pride. Instead of being held in their previous location, Civic Square (next to Metrotown Library), Burnaby Pride was held at the Bonsor Recreation Complex field. There were several reasons for making the change. Burnaby Pride has grown over the past several years and Civic Square has space limitations. Additionally, Civic Square has some accessibility but the grass is an accessibility barrier and impacts disabled people’s ability to attend and equitably participate.

The new location had numerous issues that affected attendees and had them seeking out the low sensory space. The field was very dusty and affected people with respiratory issues. The heat was a lot and the field reflected the heat back at people. There were picnic tables provided but they were metal and unless people had longer clothing or something to sit on, the hot metal made the tables unusable. There was a cooling tent but there was no signage or seating. We had people come into the low sensory space for a place to sit. There was a sink for water and a cooler of ice available for attendees but a lack of signage. We had water at our information booth and also helped direct people to the water disposal unit and ice. However, we didn’t learn about the ice until the last 2 hours.

(A family of 4 playing on the outdoor mats at

the Burnaby Pride low sensory space.)

While there were issues with the venue, including that the sandy field was not more accessible for people with wheeled devices, Burnaby Pride was a day full of joy, celebration, music, dancing, connection, and pride. The enthusiasm was palpable. We had wonderful conversations at both the low sensory space and information booth. We were excited to talk with some teachers who were interested in learning more about the sensory kits we will be selling in September.  And the volunteers at Burnaby Pride were excellent and really helped with our set-up and take-down, which was very much appreciated.

LET’S is proud of our ongoing relationship with Burnaby Pride. While the change to the new venue had issues, they took a risk to try to improve things. Interesting fact: Burnaby Pride was the first event (aside from sporting events) to be held at the Bonsor Centre fields. The lessons learned through this year’s experience have been captured. Something LET’S respects about how Burnaby Pride is operated, is that they actively seek out feedback from individuals and vendors. LET’S has every confidence that Burnaby Pride will apply what they learned this year to make next year’s event all that much better.

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.)

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!!”

For 6 months, LET’S has been working with a group of students from Handsworth Secondary School, who received funding from It Gets Better, to put on a queer prom. Also involved was a teacher and staff from North Shore Restorative Society. LET’S advised on accessibility and the low sensory space.

In May, the event finally took place. The prom was sold out. It was an amazing event. There were students in fancy prom dresses and suits (and 1 person with tails), people dressed as wizards and dinosaurs, and lots of other amazing clothing that definitely communicated joy and personality. Queer as Funk performed and, as always, did not disappoint. The music was great. Students and adults were singing along and dancing. The low sensory space was well used throughout the night. Overall it was an amazing event filled with queer laughter, delight, love, dancing, singing, and celebrating. We are so glad we were able to witness the event. We smiled throughout the event.

(Low sensory host, Michael, at table

with books and stim items.)