Pride ParadePride Parade

Most major cities worldwide sponsor a parade, a street fair, or festival, etc. during June to celebrate Gay Pride. These events attract not only LGBT people and their allies but also even the curious who may be intrigued to see the show. Scantily clad folks and female impersonators have been standard bearers (pardon the pun) for many years. But the events are more than just an excuse to party. The dates vary, depending upon the city, but the purpose is the same: to celebrate and demonstrate LGBT visibility to the community. We were invisible for so long, and that only resulted in more persecution.

Read more: What is Gay Pride?

When We Rise, an ABC mini-series docudramaWhen We Rise, an ABC mini-series docudrama

The recent ABC mini-series docudrama When We Rise covers the lives in America of a handful of actual persons over a period of 40 years. Although the reviews were good, the 4-night, 8-hour series covered a wide expanse of LGBT history that sometimes was hard to follow. I recorded the series on a DVR to avoid the frequent commercials that further broke-up the continuity.

Read more: LGBT Histories

Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Elders (SAGE) is one of the first organizations to provide services for the elderly LGBT community. The organization originally was founded in New York City in 1978, and now it has spread with SAGENET 28 affiliates in 20 states, including an active chapter in Raleigh.

The national organization is involved with a wide range of issues, and the local chapter provides support services and activities for LGBT elders. Single LGBT people often have no family or support system to help as they age and often go "back into the closet" when they move into institutions. Of course, one of the primary objectives is to help them to remain independent both physically and mentally. Discrimination knows no boundaries, but it is particularly devastating on the elderly.

Cooperating organizations include the U.S. Administration on Aging and AARP. The local chapter has focused on advocating for affordable housing in our community since that is an issue as the city rapidly has grown. Younger families move out farther into the suburbs where housing is less expensive, but that isolates LGBT seniors with few social connections. Unfortunately, many churches that otherwise provide a social connection discriminate against LGBT people.

Read more: What is SAGE?