During our fall 2023 board meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, AWP staff and the AWP board of directors connected with members of the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community in Kansas City. Thanks to the efforts of Joel Barrett, a key advocate for LGBTQIA+ visibility and inclusion, we were able to experience Kansas City’s dynamic cultural landscape firsthand ahead of the 2024 AWP Conference & Bookfair. This experience provided us with an enriching opportunity to explore the city’s diverse and welcoming spaces.

In addition to his role as the vice president of the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Joel is the creator and producer of the KC Rainbow Tour, a local business that offers self-guided tours of Kansas City’s rich LGBTQIA+ history, as well as travel guides supporting queer-owned and queer-affirming business and organizations. Joel’s generosity embodies Kansas City’s warmth and welcome, and his contributions extend beyond his organization’s mission. He graciously provided AWP with a curated list of accessible, queer-owned and queer-affirming bars and restaurants in Kansas City. This resource is invaluable for conference attendees seeking off-site venues that align with their values of inclusivity and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

One highlight of our visit was the opportunity to connect with Officer Alex Saragusa, the LGBTQ+ liaison officer for the Kansas City Police Department. Officer Saragusa shared with us the city’s commendable initiatives aimed at fostering a safer and more inclusive environment. These initiatives include police participation and intentional community interaction with the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, at Kansas City’s Transgender Day of Visibility event, and at the KC AIDS Walk, as well as Officer Saragusa’s role as the hate and bias crime chair of Kansas City’s Human Rights Commission. Additional initiatives include LGBTQIA+-specific training for police officers, free community genderless self-defense classes, and training for LGBTQIA+ venue staff on active shooter response, Stop the Bleed, CPR, crime prevention through environmental design, recognizing social media threats, and recognizing and reporting hate crimes. This commitment to partnership, education, and awareness demonstrates the city’s dedication to the safety and well-being of its LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors.

The positive momentum of our visit to Kansas City continued at Enzo Bistro & Wine Bar, a local LGBTQIA+- and women-owned establishment during a memorable happy-hour event. Representatives from various organizations—including the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce, the Women’s Center at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, No Divide KC, and the Kansas City Public Library—came together to celebrate diversity and share their respective missions. This gathering highlighted the strength of collaboration among organizations that are working toward a more inclusive and equitable future.

AWP extends its gratitude to Joel Barrett, Officer Alex Saragusa, and all the individuals and organizations that welcomed us into the heart of Kansas City’s LGBTQIA+ community. This experience has not only enriched our understanding of the city’s commitment to inclusivity, but also reinforced the importance of fostering connections and dialogue within diverse communities.

As writers and advocates, we recognize the power of words to create positive change. The stories we saw and heard in Kansas City serve as a testament to the city’s innovative spirit and creative economy. AWP looks forward to continued engagement with local communities, as well as fostering understanding and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard.