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Get ready to honor and recognize the contributions of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender elders on National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day on May 16! This day was first created in 2014 to recognize the unique challenges that LGBT elders face. According to recent studies, LGBT seniors are twice as likely to live alone and lack access to support networks due to discrimination, stigma, and isolation. This day is an important reminder of the need for more inclusive services for our LGBT elders and a great opportunity for us all to show our appreciation for their resilience.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1969</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Stonewall Riots</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Stonewall riots, a series of demonstrations by members of the LGBT community, took place, marking the start of the modern LGBT rights movement.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Recognized Gay Rights Groups</div><div class='timeline-text'>The 1980s saw the establishment of the first formally organized gay rights groups, which started advocating for legislation to protect the rights and dignity of LGBT individuals.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1998</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of SAGE</div><div class='timeline-text'>SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders) was incorporated, becoming the world's largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older adults.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First LGBT Senior Housing Opened</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first low-income housing facility specifically for LGBT seniors was opened by Mercy Housing and the Gay and Lesbian Elder Housing Organization in Los Angeles.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2014</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first ever National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day was celebrated, acknowledging the lifetime of contributions made by LGBT older adults.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend an event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check out your local library, LGBT center or city hall to see if there are any events to celebrate National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day. Events can range from lectures, to movie screenings, to potlucks!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write a letter</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to write a letter to someone in the LGBT community that you admire. Let them know how much you appreciate them and the work that they do.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find an organization that helps support the LGBT community and donate money or supplies to them. This can be a great way to show your support for the cause.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Look for volunteer opportunities in your area that help support the LGBT community. Volunteering is a great way to give back and make a difference.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread the word</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Share information about National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day with your friends, family, and colleagues. Spread awareness about the importance of honoring our LGBT elders.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Honoring the history of the LGBT+ community</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day is an important way to recognize and celebrate the contributions of older members of the LGBT+ community. It's a chance to reflect on the struggles our elders have overcome and acknowledge all that they have achieved in spite of prejudice, discrimination, and marginalization.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Creating a better future</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Observing National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day serves as a reminder of how far we've come as a society, and how much more there is yet to do for the futures of our younger generations. We can only continue to make progress by honoring and valuing the experiences, achievements and legacies of those who came before us.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Improving access to healthcare & services</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Older members of the LGBT+ community face unique hurdles when it comes to accessing healthcare services, long term care facilities and other resources they rely on. By recognizing this day and raising awareness around these issues, we can work together to ensure that everyone has the support they need and deserve.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Concept for National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day Came from a Single City</h3><p class='facts-content'>Initially, the idea started in Baltimore by The Pride Center of Maryland, formerly known as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore. The concept later spread nationwide, gaining official recognition in 2016.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>May 16 was Chosen for its Historical Significance</h3><p class='facts-content'>May 16 was found to be an open day on the LGBT calendar that held no significant historical tragedies or events connected to the community, serving as an unrestricted day for positive celebration and honor.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>This Day Celebrates Litigators of Great Milestones</h3><p class='facts-content'>On this day we honor elders in our community who have fought for significant milestones in LGBT history, such as decriminalization of homosexuality, marriage equality, HIV/AIDS advocacy, and many more.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Many LGBT Elders Lived Closeted Lives for Decades</h3><p class='facts-content'>Due to societal norms and regulations in the past, many elders had to live a large part of their lives in "the closet," hiding their true identity. This day expresses respect and acknowledges the hardship faced by such individuals.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Many Current LGBT Protections Were Championed by Today's Elders</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many protections for the LGBTQ+ community we take for granted today were fought for by the older generation. We honor their tenacity and vision every year on National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day.</p></div></div>
National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day is celebrated on May 16th every year. In 2024 National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day will occur on a Thursday.
2023
May 16
Tuesday
2024
May 16
Thursday
2025
May 16
Friday
2026
May 16
Saturday
2027
May 16
Sunday
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