"So this is what queer seniors look like." As I stood there in line waiting to grab a plate for lunch, I turned to my right to talk to the older man who had made the comment. I took a look around the room at all the people there at the San Diego LGBT Center, all in attendance for the Intergenerational Café. "We're all different as you can see", he said. It was a very diverse crowd, people of all genders, races, and age--and it felt like such an inclusive community. Most were a part of the LGBTQ community and frequented the Center for events and resources, for some like the man next to me, it was their first time. There had to have been at least 30 or more older adults in attendance, the most we've ever had for our LEG visits. Unfortunately, there was less than half of our class there, so we were outnumbered—unlike our last few visits, the numbers were reversed. But I felt that this made the experience much more enriching.
I was very, very excited for this LEG especially, because I identify as a queer woman of color. I felt more free and willing to express myself and talk about my personal life, since my sexuality has played a huge part in my teens and current twenties. Unlike other LEG visits, where I was uncertain how my identity would be received by older adults, here I knew I wouldn't be judged for speaking about how much my sexuality has affected my college and personal growth. I got the chance to speak with a handful of amazing individuals from a variety of backgrounds, and all were so encouraging, positive, and bright despite all the challenges they had faced throughout their lives because of their identity. At the table I was sitting, I had the opportunity to converse with 4 other older adults, and we discussed most of the questions on the conversation cards. One topic we discussed was mental health among the older population, as a result of ageism, homophobia, and aging. Some had gone through those struggles personally, but were able to get through it because of community. One big takeaway from the discussion that we all agreed on was that challenges like depression and anxiety are universal and can happen to anyone at any age.
I was very, very excited for this LEG especially, because I identify as a queer woman of color. I felt more free and willing to express myself and talk about my personal life, since my sexuality has played a huge part in my teens and current twenties. Unlike other LEG visits, where I was uncertain how my identity would be received by older adults, here I knew I wouldn't be judged for speaking about how much my sexuality has affected my college and personal growth. I got the chance to speak with a handful of amazing individuals from a variety of backgrounds, and all were so encouraging, positive, and bright despite all the challenges they had faced throughout their lives because of their identity. At the table I was sitting, I had the opportunity to converse with 4 other older adults, and we discussed most of the questions on the conversation cards. One topic we discussed was mental health among the older population, as a result of ageism, homophobia, and aging. Some had gone through those struggles personally, but were able to get through it because of community. One big takeaway from the discussion that we all agreed on was that challenges like depression and anxiety are universal and can happen to anyone at any age.