HONOR OUR LGBT ELDERS DAY

HONOR OUR LGBT ELDERS DAY May 16

HONOR OUR LGBT ELDERS DAY | MAY 16

Honor Our LGBT Elders Day on May 16 recognizes the thousands of people in the LGBT community who have paved the way for access and social acceptance. Today, take the opportunity to explore, learn and support equality for all LGBT people.

#HonorOurLGBTEldersDay

According to a 2016 Gallup Report, nearly 9 million people identify as an LGBT elder in the United States. These older than average adults face more obstacles than any other age group. Discrimination, social stigma and isolation are among the most common forms of problems LBGT elders face on a daily basis. However, older LGBT citizens are often overlooked when care is needed.

Learning the history helps educate and develop an understanding of LGBT the struggles and triumphs past and present.

Major Dates for the LGBT Elder Community

  • 1924 - Henry Gerber establishes the Society for Human rights, the first gay rights group in the United States.

  • 1969 - Stonewall riots begin in New York City.

  • 1973 - American Psychiatric Association removes homosexuality from the official list of mental illnesses. Being gay or lesbian is no longer considered a mental illness.

  • 2004 - Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.

The history of the LGBT community continues to be written every day. Thanks to LGBT elders, all LGBT people have a little more equality than in previous years. While more work needs to be done, using today to recognize LGBT elders who made a difference honors them and their journey.

7 WAYS TO PARTICIPATING IN LGBT ELDERS DAY

  1. Recognize the life of an LGBT elder you know.

  2. Volunteer to spend time with an LGBT elder in your area.

  3. Organize an event giving LGBT elders an opportunity to speak about their experiences.

  4. Host a luncheon, tea or seminar recognizing LGBT elders for their contributions.

  5. Create a badge of social media and change your profile showing support for an LGBT elder.

  6. Learn the history of the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce.

  7. Share #HonorOurLGBTEldersDay on social media to support LGBT elders everywhere.

HISTORY OF LGBT ELDERS DAY

As the country's largest (and oldest) LBGT organization, SAGE focuses on improving the lives of LGBT elders. Furthermore, as advocates of older LGBT adults, they offer support and services to those in need. Since 1978, the organization works for policy changes that address the needs of LGBT elders through education and assistance to providers and family members. The also support changes in legislation and provide services where needed.

Historically, LGBT citizens have hidden themselves from society. Even though it is against the law to discriminate against an LGBT individual today, there was a time when being LGBT was illegal. No one remembers this more than those who have fresh memories in their minds than LGBT elders.

The timeline for LGBT equal rights is a long and complex story. All 50 states in the United States imposed criminal prosecution for same sex relationships until 1962. The first National March in Washington for Lesbian and Gay rights took place in October of 1974. In 2003, federal law finally passed acknowledging same sex relationships. Massachusetts performed the first gay marriage 2004.

In 2015 Nate Sweeney founded Honor Our LGBT Elders Day with National Day Calendar to recognize the contributions and leadership of older members of the LGBT community.