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Aging in Community:
A Focus on Older LGBTQ2S+ Canadians
Progress in LGBTQ2S+ rights has not always ensured safe and inclusive services and environments for older LGBTQ2S+ individuals. While many North American communities are committed to becoming age-friendly, little work has been done to explore and promote both age- and LGBTQ2S+ friendly communities. The goal of the Aging in Community project is to:
1. Identify existing communities that are both age and LGBTQ2S+ friendly.
2. Explore what it means to be age- and LGBTQ2S+ friendly.
3. Provide considerations and recommendations for increasing inclusion and diversity within age-friendly communities.
Access Project Reports
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Learn from Community Champions: What is age and LGBTQ2S+ friendly?
Videos
Meet Monique: Executive Director, The Good Companions
Meet Dianne: Community Leader and Advocate
Meet Lisa: Mayor, Palm Springs
Meet Darren: Chair, Dignity Seniors Society
Method
Method
Environmental Scan
71 Surveys Analyzed
18 Individuals From 14 Organizations Interviewed
Interviews
Findings
Findings
1. Age- and LGBTQ2S+ Friendly Initiatives
The environmental scan and interviews were used to identify age- and LGBTQ2S+ friendly organizations and intiatives.
Most of the age-friendly initiatives were not cities, municipalities, or geographical communities. They were initiatives, programs and organizations that may not be designated or officially recognized as ‘age-friendly’.
KEYPOINT
2. Core Components of an age and LGBTQ2S+ Friendly Community
Diverse and
Intergenerational
Free From Harassment and Discrimination
Inclusive Programs
and Services
Encompassing and Compassionate
Systemic Inclusion
And Visibility
The survey asked participants to describe a community that is both age friendly and LGBTQ2S+ inclusive.
3. Recommendations and Considerations
Recommendations and considerations are made that can be referenced for current and future work related to the development and implementation of age-friendly initiatives which includes and supports LGBTQ2S+ communities.
What Participants said
“A community that acknowledges and embraces its elders will always be stronger for doing so.”
“Age-friendly to me is cradle to grave.”
“A community that is age-friendly and LGBTQ2S+ inclusive should just look like a community that allows everyone to be a part of it.”
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