Show Up

it was pretty cool, and it was one of these rare situations, where people from a lot of different backgrounds, both socially, and economically, and culturally, were all mixing it up, and throwing a lot of money around. It was worth it. It was an expensive event, and there're all sorts of ways in that event to spend more money, and people were doing that, and that was an amazing piece. There's an inherent value in that, to folks, and what they get out of it. And that the stuff, that Rick, and his crew was able to put there, really added to that whole value piece, which I thought was pretty awesome.

I think that you've also got the benefit of being surprising. Yes, I think that that kind of audience is going to be at least a bit more open to community stuff because they are at a massive community event. But, also, they can easily go to an event like that for their interest in the LGBTQ community and nothing else. Right. So when you present yourself in front of these people, there's something surprising. You're something a little different that is not automatically assumed to be a part of an event like that, so the novelty, I think, can be a real positive.

For me and really listening through the conversation about Pride St Pete, I was just really struck in listening to the personal stories that were shared by the organizers and some of the observers as well, how powerful it actually is to just be present at an event that is about acceptance and being who you are. I found that very moving and very, very powerful.

being in the parade, took some convincing to get the board of directors to figure out why that was something we should be doing. And it didn't occur to me until we were actually there, just how much science is a part of our community and how receptive the crowd was, I

I think actually listening to Kalisha tell the story about how there was like 40 people lined up out the door, and they were kept out until they mentioned to Dottie that they're with me and with Science Haven, and that they were ushered in right away. Just the reflection, as I was hearing that today made me feel really rewarded for the fact that it's not just I have science activities and that's what they are for and that's really our only connection, but knowing that there seems to be something deeper with what we've been doing with Science Haven and the Dwight community to where someone that is intensely protective, and rightfully so over her community sees us as part of it and just willing to sort of light up her face and smile whenever she knows that someone's with us, made me feel really good and feel like maybe we're onto something with the way that we're trying to approach this project.