"'Love Is Love' - Until You're Black, Trans, Disabled, Non-Binary..." - with Andrew Gurza from Disability After Dark

Lost Spaces: Memories from Gay Bars, Lesbian Clubs, and LGBTQ+ Parties

I know there's always the risk with this show of completely romanticising queer spaces as these glistening oasis' of tolerance and acceptance.

But, that's really not the case - despite how wonderful and freeing they can be, they can also be a bit shitty and exclusionary.

And I was reminded of that this week when I sat down to talk to talk to Andrew Gurza, who is a disability awareness consultant and activist, as well as being the host of the Disability After Dark podcast.

We caught up to discuss The Edge, which was a gay bar in Ottawa, Canada, and held so much promise for Andrew but pretty much failed to deliver.

But, that's not to say that this is a totally depressing episode.

That Andrew is one horny guy, and he seems to have mastered the art of turning every conversation into one about blow jobs, so penises and giggling come up a lot, as well as the despair we both feel about mainstream gay male culture!

So, in other words - something for everyone (?)!

Do you have any memories of The Edge, or clubbing from your own scene that you want to share? Well, if you have please get in touch - I want to create the biggest online record of people's memories and stories - go to www.lostspacespodcast.com and find the section 'Share a Lost Space' and tell me what you got up to! Bonus points for embarrassing photos!

You can also find me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lostspacespod), Instagram (www.instagram.com/lostspacespod) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/lostspacespod)

Find out more about Andrew by following him on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/andrewgurza6/) or visiting his website (https://www.andrewgurza.com/). Finally, make sure you listen to his podcast Disability After Dark!

Takeaways

• Queer spaces, such as clubs, can be inaccessible and unwelcoming to disabled individuals, highlighting the need for greater accessibility education.
• Ableism and ignorance towards disability are prevalent in society, including within the queer community.
• It is important to confront ableism and educate others about disability, but it can be exhausting and disappointing when met with resistance or indifference.
• Rejection and disappointment are common experiences in dating and relationships, but it is important to prioritise self-worth and not settle for mistreatment. Intersectionality is crucial in understanding the experiences of queer and disabled individuals.
• Unpacking biases and stereotypes is necessary for creating more inclusive and accepting queer spaces.
• There is a need for greater accessibility in queer spaces, and fundraising efforts should be directed towards making these spaces inclusive for all.
• The fear of disability within the queer community hinders meaningful connections and perpetuates ableism.
• Enforcement of accessibility laws is essential to ensure equal access for disabled individuals.
• The concept of community is complex, and it is important to recognise and address the divisions and challenges within different queer communities.
• Resilience and self-discovery are key in navigating the complexities of identity and finding a sense of belonging.
• Being the only one with a particular identity can be powerful, but it also highlights the need for greater representation and inclusivity.

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