What happens when organizations continue to show up for the community, but the community doesn’t always show up for them? It is a difficult question, but one that deserves an honest conversation.
Across Guyana and the wider Caribbean, LGBTQ+ organizations work to create safer spaces for education, advocacy, wellness, personal development and connection. Behind every activity are weeks of preparation, limited resources and the dedication of people who want to make a difference. Sometimes, despite all that effort, the seats remain empty.
The reality behind community events
Organizing an activity means preparing a budget, confirming facilitators, securing a venue, buying supplies, arranging refreshments, communicating with participants and coordinating logistics. For a small community organization, every dollar matters.
When people register, organizers plan for them. If only a handful attend, the cost is not just financial. Valuable staff and volunteer time has been invested, and an opportunity to meet, learn and support one another has been lost. Repeated low attendance raises serious questions about sustainability.
Has community support become transactional?
Are we reaching a point where participation depends on what someone receives in return? Activities offering allowances, meals or other tangible benefits may seem more attractive than sessions focused on wellness, education or simply building relationships.
This does not mean people should be criticized for needing practical support. Economic pressures are real and transport or food costs can make attendance difficult. Organizations must recognize these realities. Still, community building cannot depend entirely on financial incentives. Learning something new, supporting another person and spending time in an affirming space are valuable too.
We show up for entertainment. What about empowerment?
Parties, celebrations and social gatherings are important. Joy and freedom are meaningful parts of LGBTQ+ life. But can we also make room for conversations about mental health, financial security, relationships, advocacy and personal development? A workshop may not have the excitement of a party, but it can provide information or connections that help someone well beyond that day.
This is not about ranking one kind of gathering above another. It is about asking whether we are equally willing to invest our time in opportunities that support our collective well-being.
Are organizations listening to what the community wants?
The responsibility does not rest only with attendees. GuyBow and other organizations must ask difficult questions too: Are our activities shaped by what members say they need? Are the venue and timing accessible? Have we considered transport, family responsibilities, work schedules, safety, confidentiality and emotional energy? Do people have a genuine voice in planning?
Low attendance is not always a lack of appreciation. It may point to barriers, unmet needs or a mismatch between what an organization offers and what people want. We cannot know without listening.
The reality of limited funding
Community organizations often face difficult funding decisions while the needs around them keep growing. Funding helps maintain safe spaces, support staff, offer programmes and sustain advocacy. When resources are scarce, consistently low attendance may mean an organization has to reconsider how activities are designed and funded.
This is not an attempt to blame the community. It is a reminder that sustainability depends on honest communication and shared responsibility.
Community is more than membership
Belonging to a group, following an organization’s page or registering for an event is not the same as building a community. Community grows through relationships, participation, feedback and care.
Showing support can be as simple as attending when you can, inviting someone else, sharing an event, volunteering, offering ideas or letting organizers know early when plans change. A cancellation message may seem small, but it helps a team avoid unnecessary costs and plan realistically.
So what does the community really want?
At GuyBow, our commitment to advocacy, education, empowerment, wellness and safer spaces remains important. But community engagement cannot be one-sided. We want to hear from the people these activities are intended to serve.
- What kinds of activities would encourage you to participate?
- What prevents you from attending?
- Do you prefer online discussions, in-person gatherings, workshops or social activities?
- Which issues should organizations prioritize?
- How could community members take a more active role in planning?
These questions are an invitation to improve together, not a criticism of people whose circumstances make attendance difficult.
Building a community that shows up for itself
Strong communities require effort, trust, communication and accountability. Organizations must listen, adapt and create relevant opportunities. Community members should have meaningful ways to contribute, give feedback and participate when possible. Both sides must be willing to meet each other halfway.
A strong community is not measured only by how many people belong to it, but by how we support and show up for one another.
Let’s continue the conversation
Guyana Rainbow Foundation invites community members to share their perspectives. What would make you more likely to attend and participate in community activities? Your voice matters, your experiences matter, and your feedback can help shape activities that work better for everyone.
We value your voice and would love to hear your thoughts. Please take two minutes to complete our community feedback form. Your feedback will help us better understand your needs, improve our activities and create more meaningful experiences for everyone.
Share your feedback with GuyBow here
Guyana Rainbow Foundation (GuyBow) | Building connections. Strengthening communities. Creating safer spaces.