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As we celebrate Pride month we put a spotlight on equality, protecting human rights, understanding, acceptance and increased visibility for LGBTQ+ individuals. As with all celebrations, Pride month has a history – one that older adults may not be aware of. Before we ask for understanding and acceptance from our mom, dad, grandparent, or any senior in our life, we need to create the space for discussion, learning and growth.

Want to learn more about the importance of discussing Pride and other LGBTQ+ issues with seniors? We encourage you to watch the webinar, Pride: Love is love presented by Northbridge Vice President of Engagement and Memory Care Services, Kelly McCarthy, and Stonebridge at Burlington Resident Engagement Director, George Silvia.

Here are 6 tips for facilitating the LGBTQ+ conversation with a senior in your life:

1. Make it relatable:  One topic that may make the LGBTQ+ community relatable for residents is Ageism. Ask if they know or have ever been denied opportunity because of their age? Ever been forced to retire or leave a job either for early retirement or a lack of skills? Invite them to share their personal experiences before drawing similarities to discrimination faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community.
2. Focus on Love: Make sure the conversation stays positive. Focus on equality and the importance of protecting all human rights, talk about the importance of being able to love who you chose.
3. Time: Realize that understanding will take time and most likely multiple conversations. Start with acknowledgement but remember there is a difference between acknowledgement and understanding. It will take more than one discussion for understanding to take place.
4. Personal Experience: once you’ve created a safe space for discussion, talk about real life, personal experiences. Does your loved one have friends, family, children or grandchildren that belong to the LGBTQ+ community? Allow them to share their journeys, maybe invite some of them to be part of the discussion.
5. Growth: Remember that for everyone, understanding of the topic will vary so growth will look different. This could be a very new concept for one person while someone else has already been involved in the community. No matter where the journey starts, celebrate the growth and understanding that you help them achieve.
6. Respect: This is a very personal subject so make sure to set ground rules around the conversation. All opinions and stories shared must be respected. You want to create a safe and open space where questions are welcomed but remain respectful in nature.

If you don’t feel comfortable leading a discussion like this, ask if there is someone in your family or friend group who is. Involving others with personal experience will allow for more authentic storytelling and may lead to better understanding. If you know someone who is willing to share their story, let them. Sometimes the best way to explain the power of love and being able to love who you chose is to hear it firsthand as a love story, another thing your loved one can relate to!

Click here to watch our Pride Presentation – Pride: Love is Love 

How does Northbridge celebrate Pride?

We encourage all our communities to host Pride events and parties throughout the month of June. Many communities will host an informative presentation or conversation followed by a celebration.

Our community, Stafford Hill, hosted an LGBTQ+ Art show featuring work by a resident who was one of the first openly gay cartoonists.

All Northbridge communities display the Pride flag to ensure that everyone who lives, works or visits our communities knows it is a place of understanding, inclusivity and acceptance. Click here to read our blog, The Pride Flag and its Meaning – hope comes in many colors, to learn more about the meaning behind the Pride flag.

At all Northbridge Communities throughout New England we’re working to create inclusive residences where all residents, families, associates and visitors can feel welcome to be themselves. We hope this post will be helpful.