May 16 marks the date that many LGBTQ communities across the country will celebrate our LGBTQ Elders. To pay homage to those who have made a difference in our lives, it’s important to spread the word about the achievements and accomplishments of older LGBTQ adults, and how they have impacted the lives of our community today.
A nationwide celebration will take place in Baltimore at the city’s Meyerhoff Symphony Hall May 16. If you are interested in attending, by car the drive to Baltimore is approximately 450 miles and just under seven hours. Flights to Baltimore from Charlotte are generally around an hour and a half and there are plenty of inexpensive tickets available: generally around $50.
If you are interested in attending, visit https://www.tinyurl.coNHOLEDtickets24 for tickets. As the organization has always done, all LGBTQ elders interested in attending are welcome and no one will be turned away because of financial barriers. Reach out via email to lgbtq@chasebrexton.org for additional information on financial assistance.
The presentation at Meyerhoff will include dinner, storytelling and cultural celebration.
“It’s important to celebrate elders every day,” says Sam McClure, director of the Center for LGBTQ Health Equity, which inaugurated the National Day of Recognition in Baltimore in 2016. “Respect for those with … experience is an essential element of civility. In intergenerational dialogues, we discover we have differing opinions based on our experiences and perspectives. I love seeing elders and youth learning from each other.”
Unfortunately, the Charlotte LGBTQ Elders Group has not been active since Oct. 13, 2022, the date of their last post on Facebook.
While there are currently no regional events listed that will take place in the Carolinas for National Honor our LGBTQ Elders Day, there are resources for LGBTQ+ seniors in the Carolinas in Raleigh, the Triad area (that includes Winston-Salem, High Point and Greensboro); and Wilmington.
The Carolina Aging Alliance serves both the Triangle and Triad regions of North Carolina, with a centralized office located at 4 North Blount Street, Suite 103, in Raleigh.
The organization’s statement of purpose reads as follows: “Serving LGBTQ+ adults 50 and over, we strive to offer opportunities to increase social engagement, generate health and wellness, educate the committee on our special needs and advocate for the rights of our seniors as they age.”
For more details visit their website at carolinaaging.org or visit their Facebook pages. There are two separate social media entities for the different regions.
Previously known as SAGE of the Cape Fear Coast, OWLS (Out Wilmington LGBTQ+ Seniors), maintains a home at the LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast. Located at 1506 Market Street in Wilmington, you can visit their website at lgbtqcapefear.org or reach out to them by calling 910-262-0327. They also have a social media presence on Facebook. ::
