I had a wonderful, educational experience at the LGBT Center. It was my first time visiting the place, but I was first impressed by the infrastructure. The massive auditorium reminded me of the gymnasiums in my elementary school; we were to spend the three hours here, eating lunch and engaging in our learning exchange group as we did in the past two site visits at Bayside and Casa de Manana.
I conversed primarily with two residents, Mark and Roger. I asked both about their lives and, in particular, what changes they saw in society over the years in its treatment towards the LGBT community. They told me about the extreme discrimination against the gay community but laws that were passed in the early 1970s that lifted many of the oppressive policies. California one of the earliest states to do so. Mark attributed the growing acceptance of the LBGT community to the prevalence of LGBT people in the news over the past few years. If people are exposed to the population, it is only a matter of time until each grow to accept each other.
During the LEG activity, I was so glad that the elders were willing to participate, and we gathered many insights. In particular, we discussed that housing is the biggest problem in San Diego for elders due to rising costs. I also learned that the LGBT center in San Diego is only one of the three in the whole nation. I found this very shocking and a sign that these people are still not fully accepted by the general public. However, progress towards acceptance is being made; we can all see it and nobody can stop it. As a 89 year old man said in a speech before the end of the site visit, what will never change is the fact that there always will be change.
I conversed primarily with two residents, Mark and Roger. I asked both about their lives and, in particular, what changes they saw in society over the years in its treatment towards the LGBT community. They told me about the extreme discrimination against the gay community but laws that were passed in the early 1970s that lifted many of the oppressive policies. California one of the earliest states to do so. Mark attributed the growing acceptance of the LBGT community to the prevalence of LGBT people in the news over the past few years. If people are exposed to the population, it is only a matter of time until each grow to accept each other.
During the LEG activity, I was so glad that the elders were willing to participate, and we gathered many insights. In particular, we discussed that housing is the biggest problem in San Diego for elders due to rising costs. I also learned that the LGBT center in San Diego is only one of the three in the whole nation. I found this very shocking and a sign that these people are still not fully accepted by the general public. However, progress towards acceptance is being made; we can all see it and nobody can stop it. As a 89 year old man said in a speech before the end of the site visit, what will never change is the fact that there always will be change.