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, LGBTQ+ older adults 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. Meals on Wheels welcomes and supports volunteers and meal recipients of all gender identities and sexualities.
LGBTQ+ resources for seniors
Rainbow Health Minnesota
Rainbow Health Minnesota has been advocating for and serving the LGBTQ+ community, those living with HIV, and all folks facing barriers to equitable health care for more than 40 years. They focus on health care barriers, with emphasis on HIV prevention and resources and other specialized mental and chemical health services. They also offer training and education resources, and do community outreach.
Rainbow Health partners with Friends and Co to host bimonthly 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.
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 a 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.
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 23-25 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 2023 Twin Cities LGBTQ+ Pride March Honoring Ashley Rukes for the first time this year. We hope to see you there on June 25 starting at 11 a.m.!