Did you know 91原创 has a support group for older people who are in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?
Silver Pride meets on the third Tuesday of the month from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the seniors centre, 20605 51B Ave. It is facilitated by Lynn Richards and Barb Thomas.
The group is not open to allies, because the experiences of older members of the community is vastly different from those of young people who grew up in a much more tolerant society.
The goal is to have a space where the seniors feel comfortable discussing issues and sharing about their lives. For some, they may be dealing with trauma. Richards said those who lives decades ago faced open discrimination in society and within families.
"I can say that I've been denied housing in my life because we weren't allowed to rent a one bedroom apartment because we were two women so they wouldn't rent to us," she said. "I had a job way back in the 70s. They found out that I was gay and I was let go. There wasn't much safety then."
She was denied family status and hence benefits despite being in a relationship. Richards put her case before Human Rights Commission and won.
While there are still challenges in society for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, "people nowadays have much more [social acceptance]," she commented.
"A lot of the younger people thank me鈥� because they have a lot of their freedoms because people like myself and Barb and other people have fought and fought for our rights," she added.
Richards said members also comment on how society has changed in recent decades.
"They can live more open lives, more authentic," she said.
Silver Pride, which started in 2017, is a support group first and foremost. but it is also a place of learning. The group has hosted speakers on topics such as intersex (the condition of having both male and female sex organs or other sexual characteristics), transgender issues, and a death doula.
Silver Pride has its home at the seniors centre because it is inclusive, offering space for the support group which also receives help from Qmunity, a non-profit that works to improve the lives of queer, trans, and Two-Spirit people. The group is for people who are 50 plus (spouses under 50 can also attend). Attendance is not limited to people from 91原创 nor people with membership in the seniors centre.
"I have people coming from North Vancouver," she said.
