Happy Pride Month! LGBTQ+ Resources for Seniors
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, which is widely considered to be the start of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Today, Pride is an opportunity to celebrate, uplift, and support the LGBTQ+ community.
In honor of Pride Month, we‘re sharing some resources for LGBTQ+ older adults. LGBTQ+ older adults are twice as likely to be single and live alone and four times less likely to have children. Because of this, elders in the community are especially vulnerable to social isolation and may not have traditional caregivers to help them age comfortably in their own homes. Meals on Wheels can help by providing nutritious meals delivered by friendly, caring volunteers.
LGBTQ+ older adults in the Twin Cities are also nearly twice as likely to be caregivers and nearly twice as likely to volunteer in the compared to the general population, according a recent study by the University of Minnesota and Rainbow Health. Meals on Wheels welcomes and supports volunteers and meal recipients of all gender identities and sexualities.
LGBTQ+ resources for seniors
SAGE
SAGE: Advocacy and services for LGBTQ+ elders is the country’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBTQ+ older people and their caregivers.
Among their program offerings includes SAGEConnect, “a phone-buddy program that matches LGBTQ+ elders with volunteers for weekly phone calls.” They also maintain the National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging.
OutFront Minnesota
OutFront Minnesota‘s mission is to create a state where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people are free to be who they are, love who they love, and live without fear of violence, harassment, or discrimination. The organization was founded in 1987 to fight for LGBTQ+ justice and equity. They manage a resource page for LGBTQ+ people of all ages.
Friends and Co
Friends and Co regularly hosts gatherings called “Let’s Do Lunch” and “Let’s Do Coffee” to bring together older LGBTQ+ adults for social connection and community support over a meal or coffee. This is a “relaxed and inclusive environment where everyone is welcome” and is designed specifically for older LGBTQ+ individuals to meet, connect, and socialize.
Friends and Co is hosting their Older & Bolder Pride Celebration 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, June 27. Meals on Wheels is proud to sponsor this celebration and luncheon, open to all LGBTQ+ older adults (RSVP required).
Queermunity
Queermunity is a cafe, event space, and community hub located in Uptown, Minneapolis. Queermunity is open to the public daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and general entry is free. The space hosts resources and community programming aimed at all ages, including weekly yoga classes, “GayAA” Queer Alcoholics Anonymous Support group, book clubs, résumé support, discussion groups, and arts and cultural programming. They are one of the sites for weekly Friends and Co “Let’s Do Coffee” meetups. Check out their events lineup here.
Join us at Twin Cities Pride!
The Twin Cities Pride Festival is the largest free Pride festival in the country. Taking place this year on June 28-29 at Loring Park, the Twin Cities Pride Festival is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and all LGBTQ+ people and allies are welcome. Metro Meals on Wheels is excited to march in the 2025 Twin Cities Pride Parade. We hope to see you there on June 29 starting at 11 a.m.!