Supporting the LGBTQ Community
Are you or is someone you love a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) community? If so, you may be looking for specific support, services, or engagement opportunities in the community. Thankfully, there are many valuable resources available for you, and Empowerline™ can help you find them, from accessible housing and appropriate healthcare, to social activities with other LGBTQ individuals.
What if I am seeking support and engagement within the LGBTQ Community?
Many people have heard of Atlanta Pride’s annual Pride festival and parade, but the organization also works year-round to provide LGBTQ persons with cultural and educational activities. These programs aim to enhance mental and physical health, provide social support, and foster an awareness of the past and present contributions of LGBTQ people.
There are also several organizations that focus specifically on engaging older LGBTQ people. For lesbians looking for an inviting, positive space to confront ageism with like-minded women through education and public discourse, visit Old Lesbians Organization for Change. Zami National Organization of Black Lesbians on Aging (NOBLA) also does community-based programming, leadership development, education, and participatory research.
What if I am interested in advocating for the rights of LGBTQ Individuals?
If you or someone you know has experienced injustice due to their LGBTQ identity, there are many available resources to help you learn more and take action. Many of these can be found on the City of Atlanta’s resource list for LGBTQ Advocacy and Legal Services. Most recently, the federal government released this Know Your Rights Guide, which details the rights afforded to LGBTQ+ older adults and outlines the process of submitting a complaint and obtaining legal support.
To learn more about these barriers, and about the importance of respecting and understanding LGBTQ people ages 50 and over, visit the LGBT Aging Issues Network (LAIN). LAIN also offers professional seminars and presentations at conferences.
In Georgia, the Equality Foundation of Georgia works to advance fairness, safety, and opportunity for Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied communities through educational activities and voter registration as well as through the associated political advocacy organization Georgia Equality. Georgia Equality posts a list of other organizations locally and nationally that support LGBTQ individuals and loved ones with everything from legal and political resources to peer support.
You can also visit The Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Diversity (SOJOURN) to learn about inclusion of individuals across the entire spectrum of gender and sexual orientation in the Southeast and to engage in outreach and advocacy.
Nationally, the National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging provides technical assistance to aging network providers focused on improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender older adults, their families and caregivers.
