Our Mission
Improve and protect the quality of life of older LGBT adults in North Texas through community engagement and advocacy education.

We serve the four largest counties of North Texas; Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton.  It is estimated (through the assistance of the US Census data and further data analysis from The Williams Institute at UCLA), that the population of this 4- county area of lesbian and gay members age 45 and older is at 195,000 and will continue to rise in the next 10 years to right at 200,000.

The area of focus and priority

EDUCATION & ADVOCACY

We see that we have a responsibility to educate both the service providers in North Texas on LGBT competency and eliminating discrimination, and we have a responsibility to educate the LGBT community on the growing needs and available resources of the members of the North Texas LGBT community.

Committee Events & Initiatives:

• Host on April 22, 2023 the CfA LGBT "6th Annual Summit on LGBT Aging" at The Senior Source, Dallas
  
• Sponsor legislative and legal town halls and community gatherings
  
• Collaborate with advocacy groups such as Equality Texas, the North Texas Commission, and Freedom Texas to support inclusive legislation
  
• Provide testimonies & speakers at state capitol hearings
  
• Hold virtual & in-person workshops on safeguarding senior rights, estate planning, probate, conservatorship, safe banking, using social media, medicare, social security, & more

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

As with all aging population, isolation is a significant challenge.  However, this challenge is greater in the LGBT community due to family structure and with many individuals relying totally on “families of choice”.  Many in the LGBT community have no children.  Many in the community have been cut-off from their biological families due to discrimination and a lack of loving acceptance.  Collaboration across the entire North Texas spectrum of LGBT service providers will be developed because the needs are so great.

Committee Events & Intiatives:

Social Engagement

• Host virtual & in-person "Musical Moments" concerts in partnership with Spectrum Ensemble
• Host “Let’s Do Lunch" & "Let’s Do Dinner” monthly events in Tarrant County with educational seminars
• Sponsor community movie screening events across our four counties
• Support food insecurity through volunteerism, food pantry & meal service needs across Denton

Healthcare

• Lead "Up and Out," an LGBT Caregiver Support Group, in partnership with The Senior Source, Dallas
• Facilitate avenues of support & education for aging LGBT senior health needs with key partners such as AIDS Outreach Center, Alzheimer's Association, HELP Center for LGBT Health & Wellness & The Senior Source
• Hold Flu/COVID vaccine clinics & share community health information

Housing Support for Seniors

• Publish (in print & online) the North Texas LGBT-Friendly Senior Housing Guide ("the Guide") identifying LGBT culturally-competent senior housing communities
• Multi-year donor to landmark LGBT-friendly affordable senior housing of Resource Center, Dallas