248. Celebrating Inclusivity in Senior Living: A Journey Towards Acceptance Coalition for Aging LGBT: Replay

Have you ever pondered the challenges faced by LGBT seniors when searching for welcoming communities and services? Imagine walking into a new environment with the fear that being true to yourself might not be met with understanding or tolerance. As someone who values inclusivity and acceptance, I've been moved by the stories and efforts to create culturally competent spaces for aging adults in the LGBT community.

I had the pleasure of discussing this very topic with Founding Board Member, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Housing Committee, Robert Emery and Executive Director Dr. Diane Thornton, and their passion for supporting our LGBT seniors is nothing short of contagious.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Initial Research
01:13 Welcome to Aging and Style Podcast
02:00 Discovering the Coalition for Aging LGBT
03:55 Meet the Guests: Robert Emery and Dr. Diane Thornton
05:34 The Importance of LGBT-Friendly Senior Housing
06:32 Challenges Faced by LGBT Seniors
08:14 The Coalition's Mission and Impact
10:17 Creating Inclusive Senior Communities
16:17 Personal Stories and Testimonials
24:02 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

Picture this: you’re seeking a welcoming community for your aging mother and her wife. The initial responses from senior residential facilities may be positive, but scratch the surface, and you might find they lack specific programs or awareness needed for LGBT inclusivity. This stark reality prompted the Coalition for Aging LGBT to take action, and they’ve devised innovative measures to improve the landscape for our aging LGBT friends. By instilling cultural competence in senior living facilities across North Texas, they are paving the way for a more inclusive future.

The Coalition for Aging LGBT began with a pivotal moment in 2011—an invitation to a meeting at the Obama White House focused on aging in America. When their founder returned to Dallas, he realized the pressing need to address the unique requirements of the 200,000 LGBT seniors residing in North Texas. Through surveys and personal anecdotes, it became clear that housing was a primary concern for this demographic, motivating the coalition's continuous advocacy for legal and legislative change. They also focus on health issues and financial security.

Their efforts didn't just stop at advocacy; they developed an LGBT Friendly Senior Housing Guide with a rigorous metric system to assess the preparedness of facilities. What stands out is their commitment to education and awareness—training staff at all levels to foster a welcoming environment. This isn't about transforming spaces into exclusive LGBT communities; it's about ensuring everyone feels at home, opening dialogues, and moving from implicit support to explicit acknowledgment and inclusion.

It's vital to understand the microaggressions faced by LGBT seniors, often stemming from unintentional but nevertheless hurtful comments. A classic example is the assumption that being LGBT is a "choice"—a misconception the coalition addresses through their training. The end goal is to create environments where revealing one's identity isn't met with silence or judgment but rather acceptance and support. In this way, LGBT seniors and their family members can enjoy peace of mind about their care and community.

As our conversation concluded, I was filled with hope and determination, recognizing the impact that education, acceptance, and informed dialogue can have on creating inclusive spaces for LGBT seniors. I invite you to reflect on the stories shared and consider how we, as a community, can continue to support LGBT seniors in living their truth in comfort and security.

Thank you for joining this journey towards inclusiveness. If you're inspired and want to know more, think about reaching out to organizations like the Coalition for Aging LGBT or visiting their website. For those in the senior living industry, it's a call to action: engage, learn, and grow in creating a world where everyone can age with dignity.