This issue of the Shared Site Learning Network newsletter focuses on creating inclusive, intergenerational spaces and programs in the LGBTQIA+ community. Limited opportunities exist for older and younger LGBTQIA+ individuals to engage in meaningful interaction and learn about each other’s experiences. Language (e.g., use of pronouns), ageism, homophobia, and discrimination impact well-being across the life course and the nature of age relations. Lack of communication across generations can lead to divisive stereotyping, misunderstanding, and loss of shared histories. Intentionally creating spaces and programs that foster intergenerational connections in the LGBTQIA+ community can create new forms of support, reduce loneliness, and foster empathy.  

To learn more about creating inclusive, intergenerational spaces in the LGBTQIA+ community, check out the recording and materials from our October 9, 2024 webinar here.

This newsletter provides highlights from the programs. The full descriptions are all available here.

This newsletter is presented as part of Generations United’s Shared Site Learning Network which is made possible with support from The Eisner Foundation.

Waves Ahead

Waves Ahead is a non-profit organization in Puerto Rico that provides advocacy and free services for the LGBT+ community, with a particular focus on older adults. It was founded in 2017 by Wilfred Labiosa, Ph.D., a Clinical Social Worker, to create safe spaces and provide resources for members of the LGBT+ community who face rampant homophobia, racism, and ageism as well as a growing number of homicides.  

WAVES Ahead has five LGBT+ Community Centers, located in the capital of San Juan and in the north, south, west, and east of the island, that offer culturally competent services and a range of programs that promote well-being and empowerment. Read more.

The LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project

For the past six years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Chicago, and the senior services program staff at Center on Addison at Center on Halstead have worked together to implement the LGBTQ+ Intergenerational Dialogue Project. The project brings together racially, socioeconomically, and gender-diverse cohorts of LGBTQ+ college students and older adults (60+) for a year-long series of bi-weekly themed intergenerational dialogues, creative work, and shared meals. Read more.

Pairs with Pride

Pairs with Pride, a program of Perfect Pair, is a virtual and in-person initiative that creates one-on-one, intergenerational connections between LGBTQ+ older adults and college students. It has launched in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Chicago, Illinois, Columbus, Ohio, and virtually nationwide. In addition to one-on-one matching, pairs engage in LGBTQ+-related activities such as drag shows and theater, gender-affirming sports, and community advocacy. Participants receive training on topics such as historical milestones in LGBTQ+ history, LGBTQ+ identity across different cultural contexts, and culturally sensitive language. Read more.

Los Angeles LGBT Center

The Los Angeles LGBT Center provides services for more queer and trans people than any other organization in the world—offering programs, services, and global advocacy that span four broad categories: Health, Social Services and Housing, Culture and Education, and Leadership and Advocacy. The Anita May Rosenstein Campus encompasses two affordable housing developments - one for older adults and one for transition-age youth, a senior services center, a youth center, an emergency shelter for youth, a commercial kitchen, a café, and a school. The culinary arts training program prepares older and younger participants for restaurant jobs. Read more.

MiGen

MiGen offers an array of programs and services (e.g. food box delivery, computer support, friendly callers, support groups, arts activities) that are intended to make the lives of LGBTQ+ folks ages 45+ in Michigan safer, more connected, more vibrant, and more FUN. Although most of the programs are geared toward people 45+, this past year MiGen created Rainbow Resilience, an intergenerational fashion show that paired young people from the community with older MiGen members. Through a series of conversations and exploration workshops, cross-age learning was enhanced, and cross-age friendships were formed. Read more.

Dragon Fruit Project/Museum

The Dragon Fruit Museum is an online community space designed to preserve and uplift transgender and queer Asian and Pacific Islander (API) history. The Dragon Fruit Oral History Project, was created in 2007 at San Francisco State University and in 2013, taken on by Lavender Phoenix, a Bay Area grassroots organization building Trans and Queer Asian and Pacific Islander (TAQPI) people power. Through the work of interviewing and recording the stories of TAQPI elders, young TAQPI people built relationships across age and experience.  Read more.

The Constellations Project

The Constellations Project, created by Kate Muehlemann Cataldo, uses art and storytelling to foster connections between LGBTQIA+ elders and youth. In the first year of the project, Kate interviewed LGBTQIA+ elders who shared their experiences, reflections, and advice for queer youth. Kate painted their portraits and then guided youth in producing artwork that reflected the elders’ stories. The portraits, artworks, and stories were exhibited at the Altadena Pride Festival, which was a chance for all participants to meet and see their work and stories exhibited. Read more.

Youspeak Radio

Youspeak Radio is a program of One Institute (formerly ONE Archives Foundation), the oldest active LGBTQ+ organization in the country, dedicated to telling LGBTQ+ history and stories through education, arts, and social justice programs. Youspeak Radio is an audio project in partnership with The Outwords Archive (OUTWORDS) that explores intergenerational conversations with community trailblazers, led by LGBTQ+ youth. In this project, youth participants interview older community leaders and produce audio stories that are published weekly on Soundcloud. Read more.

One Roof Chicago

One Roof Chicago is an initiative to build an LGBTQ+-centered intergenerational community for older adults and young people who most need affirming housing, meaningful connections, and career development. One Roof Chicago will combine mixed-income housing for LGBTQ+ older adults and older adults living with HIV with supportive housing at the same site for LGBTQ+ young adults and foster job training for young and older adults. The project site, located in Ward 4 (Bronzeville), will be developed by Full Circle Communities over the next several years. Eight community meetings have already been held, and a walking tour of Bronxville that highlights Black gay history has been launched. Read more.

SAGEServes

SAGE is the world’s largest organization dedicated to advocacy, services, and innovations for LGBTQ+ elders. SAGEServes, a division of SAGE, creates opportunities to serve the LGBTQ+ community’s older people and support their unique needs. It offers direct services at five SAGE Centers and care management programs in New York City, programs that support LGBTQ+ elders across New York State, and programs designed for LGBTQ+ elders in Southern Florida. Over the past few years at the Center in the Bronx, young people served as paid interns who helped older adults with technology, served meals, and planned events such as Intergenerational Mini-balls, fashion shows, and karaoke programs. Read more.

Pride Intergenerational Housing Program

A new Pride Intergenerational Housing Program in Western Australia will bridge generations to combat loneliness. The program will match older LGBTQIA+ people with LGBTQIA+ students, particularly those from non-English speaking countries. GRAI (GLBTI Rights in Aging Inc.) will act as a matching service that will link the needs and preferences of both older LGBTI people and LGBTIQA+ students. Once a mutually beneficial and appropriate housing match has been formed, GRAI will continue to check-in with both parties as a third-party support. The 18-month pilot is coordinated by GRAI and funded by a Lotterywest grant. Read more.

Empath Health LGBTQ+ Veterans Coffee Connection

Empath Health has created safe spaces for veterans of all ages to connect while sharing a cup of coffee. Attendees who have served during various policies regarding sexuality and gender have an opportunity to hear the contrasts between those who served during “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” and after that policy. Read more.

LGBTQ+ Center on Colfax

The Center on Colfax, the largest LGBTQ+ center in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado, hosts a variety of ongoing programs for youth, young adults, trans and non-binary individuals 18+, and older adults (50+). To foster cross-age connections, the Center creates several one-time events. Read more.

Toolkits

Age Project: Intergenerational Dialogue in the LGBTQ Community

Intergenerational Exchange in LGBTQ+ Communities: A Guide for Facilitators Creating Intergenerational Workshops for Groups of LGBTQ+ People



Intergenerational Projects for the LGBT Community: A Toolkit to Inspire and Inform

Unboxed: LGBTQIA* Digital Storytelling Program