2025 Open House
The Open House is an opportunity to celebrate what we’ve done in the past year and to look forward to the new one with the changing of the seasons and move into spring! It is a chance for people who have participated in our programs to come together and meet each other in person, and to bring new QTBIPOC folks to learn about AAoC.
April 19th, 2025 1-4PM PST
About the Open House
Photo: Taz
Agenda:
1pm - In person begins with music and food
1:30pm - Virtual space opens
1:45pm - Programming begins
Performances
Info About 2025 Programming
Awards
Community Building
General Access Info:
AI captioning will be provided unless live captioning is requested. Food will be provided (dietary restrictions requested for in person attendees, gift cards offered for virtual attendees). Zoom will be recorded. Access requests, including interpretation and captioners, can be made during registration or by emailing Karissa Masciel at karissa@alphabetalliance.org. Requests for interpreters and captioners that are made less than 48 hours before the event typically are more difficult to meet. We will try and notify you if we cannot secure requested access.
Location
This event is hybrid. The zoom link will be sent out to attendees after they RSVP.
The in-person event will be hosted at Young Women Empowered (Y-WE).
Transportation: It is on bus lines 7 and 9, and 1 mile from the Columbia City light rail station.
Parking: The building does not have a parking lot, but there is free street parking nearby. Carpooling is recommended, coordination and mileage support available upon request. There are no nearby ADA accessible parking spaces. Please let us know if this poses a problem for you.
In Person Access Info
We will have name tags available for people to indicate their names and pronouns. We will have space available for folks to go to if they are feeling overstimulated.
Phyisical Space: The main room is accessed through large double doors. It is a large open space with good maneuverability. A wheelchair ramp can be set up to access the raised stage upon request. All kitchen counters are a standard 36” or more in height.
Seating is available including 24 cushioned chairs and 26 folding chairs (300 lb weight capacity), and a comfortable couch
Bathrooms: The building contains two separate individual bathrooms, both of which are gender inclusive. One bathroom is wheelchair accessible and also contains a urinal. There are grab bars next to both the urinal and toilet. Both bathrooms contain a small stool under each sink.
No Alcohol is allowed in the space
Fragrance: Please limit your use of fragrances as much as possible (some help on how to do that here) - use fragrance free detergent on your clothes, and don't wear perfumes / heavily scented products. We can create a fragrance free section if needed (please request in access needs).
Animals are not permitted except for service animals on a case-by-case basis. Please let us know if you have a request ASAP.
Recording: A photographer will also be present, and attendees can add a star to indicate if they do not want photos/videos of them taken.
COVID Protocols
Please take an at-home covid test prior to arrival, and be sure to swab both nose and throat if using a rapid test. Check out this guide on how to get a more accurate sample. If you are unable to get a test we have some available - let us know in the form below. Email us results screenshots to brianna@alphabetalliance.org or bring a photo to the event.
Please wear a well-fitting KN95/N95 mask while indoors at all times unless eating or drinking.
Air Purifying/Ventilation. We will have a hospital quality air purifier available in the main space, and a smaller purifier available in the quiet space.
Complete Symptoms and Exposure Checklist At Arrival. If you are feeling unwell or have experienced an exposure to someone who has tested positive, please stay home. And join us virtually if you are feeling able!
Post-Testing and Contact Tracing. We recommend that people take a rapid test 3-5 days after the event and let us know about any positive results, so we can anonymously inform other attendees. If you develop symptoms within 3-5 days after the event, please let us know as well.
Optionally, consider using a nasal spray and CPC mouthwash before and after the event to reduce potential viral load. For more information about Covid prevention and treatment, check out this guide.
Legacy Awards
We are excited to be offering legacy awards to honor people in our community that have passed and those who are living in their legacies. Please nominate QTBIPOC who are carrying their work forward in the community!
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![young Black man wearing Black collared shirt smiling and looking off camera to the right]()
Dwone Anderson-Young Youth and Young Adult Legacy Award
for youth and young adults who have positively contributed to community
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![Black woman in mid-20s wearing a flower crown of red roses and glitter on face with purple curled hair and red shirt.]()
Constance Blakeley Emerging Leader Legacy Award
for emerging leaders, those who have been organizing for <3 years in King County and beyond, to meet the needs of their communities.
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![line drawing of curly haired, glasses wearing fat person wearing tank top that says Solid Gold Clit with quote in background ("Disabled, trans, cis, non-binary, queer, intersex, GNC people have existed always since we were stardust..."]()
Lucia Leandro Gimeno Disability Justice Leader Legacy Award
for leaders that have a disability and work in the community for the upliftment of Queer and Trans people who have disabilities
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![smiling light-skinned Black woman wearing black long-sleeved collared shirt holding up two children's books about Kwanza with bookshelf in the background]()
Vickie Williams Elder Legacy Award
for elders who have made a lasting impact on the community for 20+ years.
