Career Blog

Northbridge Celebrates Pride – during the month of June all Northbridge communities find their own way to celebrate Pride with associates, residents and family members.

The topic of Pride and LGBTQ can be sensitive for some and foreign to others. In an industry like assisted living where many residents are just being introduced to the concept of Pride and many associates are actively celebrating, how do we find balance? At Northbridge, we’ve been successful in finding balance by using history and education to bring awareness and celebrate the culture.

Northbridge4All, a DEI initiative committee, works year-round to promote Love, Respect, Courage and Kindness in all communities. During the month of June Northbridge4All focuses on celebrating Pride and the LGBTQ+ community. We do this by encouraging communities to host celebrations and educational presentations promoting inclusion and acceptance within all Northbridge communities.

One of the most popular Pride presentations at Northbridge is hosted by George Silvia, Resident Engagement Director at Stonebridge at Burlington, it’s called Pride – Love is Love. Click here to watch George’s presentation. This June, George hit the road traveling to multiple communities and sharing his Pride presentation in person. It is a great opportunity for residents to ask questions and learn in a positive and welcoming environment.

We want to reshare 6 tips for facilitating the LGBTQ+ conversation from our blog, 6 Tips for an informative and positive LGBTQ+ Talk with your family:

Here are 6 tips for facilitating the LGBTQ+ conversation:

1. Make it relatable: People are more likely to understand a topic if it is made relatable to them. One topic that may make the LGBTQ+ community relatable for residents is Ageism. Ask if your loved one has 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 to one person while someone else has already been involved in the community. No matter where your loved one 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.

In addition to the educational Pride presentations, many of our communities hosted celebrations. From fun parties, to Pride parades and tea dances to refinished rainbow painted outdoor furniture, there was plenty of love to go around.

Northbridge LGBTQ+ resources:

Love is Love Pride Presentation
6 Tips for an informative and positive LGBTQ+ Talk with your family
The Pride Flag(s) and it’s Meaning – hope comes in many colors