Recently, the Center for Disability Rights embarked on a new initiative – reaching out to, and partnering with our local LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered) community.

Rochester has a large and vibrant LGBT community, a significant number of whom are people with disabilities. In the effort to make CDR a more welcoming place to our LGBT staff, consumers, and visitors, it was only natural that we would include the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley (GAGV) and other LGBT organizations in the greater Rochester area. This initiative is very important because, here in Rochester, many venues and events for the LGBT community have been inaccessible to people who use wheelchairs, or who have mobility impairments. Out of frustration, those of us who use wheelchairs limited our involvement because we did not always feel welcome or valued.

That was then. Now that Chris Hilderbrant, Chief Operating Officer here at CDR, is on the board of GAGV, inroads have been made, and it has been easier to do outreach to the LGBT community. The strides that we have made are exciting, and we are partnering with GAGV and ImageOut to do some cool and fun things!

This Saturday, July 17, 2010, CDR will have a float in the Gay Pride Parade. Michelle Fridley, Miss Wheelchair New York, is joining us, and will be a part of the CDR float. The preparations for the Pride Parade have been fun, to say the least! If you want to join us contact me, Anita Cameron, at (585) 546-7510. We will be lining up at Park Avenue and Brunswick at 2:00 pm on Saturday. The step-off for the parade is at 3:00 pm sharp.

On July 29, 2010, CDR, in partnership with ImageOut, will screen a hilarious film about the relationship between people with disabilities and the LGBT community. It will be at the Strathallen Hotel, located at 550 East Avenue, from 6-8 pm. The name of the film is a bit shocking, so I won’t say it here, but you’ll love it anyway.

I am very excited about our collaboration with ImageOut, who organizes the screenings for the LGBT Film Festival. We are working together to make certain that the venues that they choose are accessible to people with disabilities. We are also encouraging them to screen more films that show positive images of people with disabilities.

This is only the beginning. CDR will continue to forge relationships with organizations within the LGBT community so that there will be a greater bond and mutual collaboration between our communities that results in more access for everyone.