Austin LGBT Coalition on Aging

In 2016, the Austin LGBT Coalition on Aging (ALGBTCOA) was formed  as an outgrowth of an AustinUP group discussion on how to help ensure an LGBT voice in the Age-friendly Austin Plan. The consensus of that discussion was that there were unmet challenges related to LGBT aging that required an organized community effort. Now, with more than 70 members, the Coalition is actively recruiting to better reflect our community’s demographics and to include representatives from all of the agencies currently providing services to LGBT elders. The Coalition has formed a Steering Committee, identified priority issues, is putting together action steps to address those priorities, and has begun the process of affiliating with SAGE USA (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders).

AustinUP continues to be a fiscal sponsor and proud partner of the Austin LGBT Coalition on Aging.

Mission

The ALGBTCOA is a coalition of community activists, service agencies, LGBTQ organizations and interested parties who have come together “to improve the condition of the LGBT aging community through advocacy, education and programs/services.” The Coalition hopes to encourage service providers and senior services to understand and train their staffs regarding the needs of LGBT clients, residents and patients.

Inclusion

The LGBT Coalition on Aging is now actively recruiting members that represent the broader LGBT community. All individuals are welcome regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity and physical capability.

Contact

For more information and/or to add your name to the Austin LGBT Coalition on Aging mailing list, please visit their website or send an email to [email protected].

Additional Resource

The Austin LGBT Elder Task Force was formed in 2017 with the sole purpose of creating a SAGE affiliate here in Austin. SAGE is a national organization that provides education, services and advocacy for LGBT elders, and is based out of NYC with 30 certified affiliate groups across the U.S. SAGE includes the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging whose key function is to provide training to senior care facilities on the unique needs of LGBT elders and how to make a facility safe and welcoming to LGBT citizens.

The Austin LGBT Elder Task Force is working to coalesce an LGBTQIA community amongst the many LGBTQIA groups that have mainstreamed due to Austin’s open and accepting vibe. Everyone is welcome. They hold monthly events, which are posted on their Meetup page, and they also distribute a regular newsletter. This group is actively working with Family Eldercare and Coming of Age Austin-Metro to pursue the SAGE affiliation. They also proposed an LGBT-friendly inclusivity statement to the Austin Commission on Seniors in 2018 (which was later adopted) and they participate in monthly workgroup meetings related to Age-Friendly Austin Plan implementation. For more information or to add your name to their mailing list, please visit the Austin LGBT Elder Task Force website or send an email to [email protected].