Each June, around the country, there is the recognition and celebration of Pride Month, to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York City and to acknowledge the hard-won (and ongoing) battles of the LGBTQ+ community to achieve equality. It’s more than just a month to display rainbow pennants and attend colorful parades. It’s also a time for many of the older members of the community to share their hard-won insights with younger LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as to continue to bring attention to the ongoing issues this community regularly faces.

For example, did you know that in many states, state laws do not prohibit outright discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals? According to a recent article in USA Today, there are now approximately 2.4 million LGBTQ+ older adults currently living in the US and ½ of them reside in states where they can be denied access to housing or public accommodations without legal redress. Such older adults also frequently face inappropriate or uninformed care from the healthcare system and many often forgo necessary and important care because they fear they will be mistreated. Furthermore, many older members of the LGBTQ+ community encounter regular violence, so much so that legislation has now been proposed in the US Congress to create a task force within the Department of Justice to track and propose protections for older LGBTQ+ victims of violence. According to a 2021 study from the National Center on Elder Abuse, 68% of older LGBTQ+ individuals have experienced verbal harassment and 43% have been threatened with violence.

Unsurprisingly, the threats of harm and harassment, along with the stigma and discrimination members of this community confront can exact a toll on the physical and mental health of those victimized. Fortunately, SAGE, the national organization providing advocacy and services for LGBTQ+ elders, has recently introduced HearMe, an on-demand mental health app that provides 24/7 support services to those in need. For those who sign up, trained therapists and counselors are available to respond to those who seek help confidentially and anonymously. More broadly SAGE provides a range of services, education, and advocacy on a range of issues for LGBTQ+ elders across the country.

While hard-won rights are proudly displayed and younger people are more open and positive about exploring their gender identity, a backlash against these rights and openness has sprung up around the country, and thus younger and older members of the LGBTQ+ community are coming together to share stories of struggle and triumph and to learn from each other how to best be authentic and open in these challenging times. Especially in the trans community, while older adults may bravely come out after decades of hiding their true identity, younger and older trans people are helping and supporting each other with shared experiences and advice. For example, in a recent report from ABC News, several older trans adults shared their admiration for younger members of the trans community whose open and bold fight for rights has been liberating and invigorating. The local ABC affiliate in Philadelphia also recently shared a video of younger and older LGBTQ+ adults sharing their experiences and goals while providing supportive advice and comfort. Younger people can learn through the struggles that older people share, and older adults can feel hopeful and energized by the openness and advocacy of younger members of the community.

It’s still a challenging and uncertain time for the LGBTQ+ community in many respects. While older adults celebrate their achievements and the rights they have secured, and younger adults push to enhance and expand their equality, no one knows what the future will bring, and for that, the shared support and community they have will benefit them all. Happy Pride Month to all our LGBTQ+ readers and their loved ones.