Events

Disability Pride Spreads Across the Lowcountry

Published

1 year ago

July 26, 2023

Press Release

Disability Pride month comes to a close with a loud and proud celebration this Friday, July 28th at Holy City Brewing Co. Capping off its third anniversary in the Lowcountry, this July’s Disability Pride month was even busier and bigger than ever. Disability Pride has many drinks-slinging venues to thank for bringing the community together over sudsy pints and inclusive libations.

Not settling for just one party again, the festivities expanded this summer to several events throughout the month, all across the region. No two were the same. Outings ranged from an inaugural Empowerment Through Employment Celebration by Be the Change Charleston at Beyond Distilling, to a Boozy Book Fair by Itinerant Literate held at Frothy Beard Brewing Co.

In participation with Summerville DREAM, Disability Pride took over the town’s Third Thursday festival with performances by Disabled entertainers. Beyond BASIC led a Disability Pride parade through Hutchinson Square. HEART Inclusive Arts Community opened their first formal fine arts gallery exhibition, “Yes, I Made That”, on view at the Public Works Art Center until September. Public Works also cut the ribbon on their new accessibility features, including a wheelchair lift, making the historic building fully accessible for the first time since the 1930s. And, their Artisan Night Market hosted vendors from the Disabled community showing off their wide variety of offerings.

A highlight for wrestling fans in the area was the premiere of a brand new promotion which also features wrestlers with Disabilities, the first of its kind for the Lowcountry. Cult Inclusive Wrestling’s show included the promotions organizer, the wrestler Chris Sandson, as well as Palmetto Wrestling Academy’s first female graduate, Airica Demia, and the professional wrestler Gregory Iron who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at age 10. All three turned out Saturday to win their matches with a pin.

Disability Pride month is a grassroots celebration held by and amongst the Disabilities communities of the world each July. The month holds up the Disabled identity not as a shameful thing, but as a natural diversity of the human experience. It’s also a moment to recognize the many achievements and the inherent value of all individuals with Disabilities. First organized in Boston in 1990 following the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Disability Pride honors the billions of people around the world with a disability. Sharing unabashed pride is just one of the many ways the community fights against the stigmatization, shame, and isolation that many disabled people are faced with everyday.

Despite being the largest and most diverse minority community across the globe, Disability Pride has rarely been officially recognized by governments nationwide. Charleston and North Charleston have become two of only a few cities in the U.S. which officially recognize Disability Pride month. There are still no official observances of the month at any state or National level.

Disability Pride at Holy City Brewing is free to attend and open to the public of all ages. This event is hosted by HEART Inclusive Arts Community in partnership with disabilities organizations, nonprofits, and members of the Disability Community from all across the Lowcountry. This year’s event is sponsored by Swamp Rabbit Moving and The Rotary Club of Charleston.

For more information, visit the event website at www.disabilitypridesc.org.