Community building

• Archway Community Services: Seniors services. Archway Community Services is a non-profit, multi-service, multi-funded community based social service agency.

  The agency was previously known as Abbotsford Community Services from 1995 until 2019 when we changed our name to be more inclusive to the communities we serve outside of Abbotsford.

• 🏳️‍🌈 QMUNITY is a non-profit organization based in Vancouver, BC that works to improve queer, trans, and Two-Spirit lives. We provide a safer space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and their allies to fully self-express while feeling welcome and included. Our building serves as a catalyst for community initiatives and collective strength.

• 🏳️‍🌈 QMUNITY Gathers Across B.C. Calling all 55+ 2SLGBTQIA+ folks across BC! Join QMUNITY for a virtual drop-in, where you can connect, chat, and build community from the comfort of home.

  Whether you want to share stories, seek support, or just enjoy some friendly company, this space is for you. 🌈⁠ 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️

  ⁠When: 2:30 - 3:30 pm every Thursday

  Email seniors@qmunity.ca for the Zoom meeting link⁠. 🔗

  Let’s come together, no matter where you are in B.C. See you online! 💜

• 🏳️‍🌈 QUIRK-E: Queer Imaging and Riting Kollective for Elders. We are queer elders who since 2006 meet weekly in Vancouver, BC to connect, care and create community.
  QUIRK-E engages in

  • Creativity by writing and imaging

  • Resilience by aging with pride while telling our truths

  • Advocacy by speaking out, performing, and sharing our work

• 🏳️‍🌈 Rainbow Wisdom Café. Come together with fellow 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults and allies for an afternoon of engaging conversations, fun activities, and educational topics. Enjoy light refreshments while building meaningful connections in a supportive and welcoming space.

  This is a wonderful opportunity to share experiences, learn from each other, and celebrate our vibrant community.

  Little Mountain Neighbourhood House, in partnership with 411 Seniors Centre, is excited to relaunch Rainbow Wisdom Café!
  When: 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
  Where: 411 Seniors Centre, 3502 Fraser Street, Vancouver, B.C.
  Contact information.

• 🏳️‍🌈 Senior Pride Network Toronto. 2SLGBTQIA+ elders, seniors, and older persons face a number of issues that have impacted their lived experiences and may have affected their mental or physical health and their overall well-being. Gaining an understanding of those issues is critical to informing government, service providers and community organizations about how to provide appropriate policies, programs and services, and positive, caring environments for older 2SLGBTQI+ people. Resources on older 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

• 🏳️‍🌈 Senior Pride Network Canada/Réseau de la Fierté des Aîné·e·s du Canada (SPNC/RFAC). We exist to unite, advocate for, and empower older, senior, and elder 2SLGBTQI+ (2-Spirited, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and others) people across Canada.

• SAGE (United States) hosts the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. - a wealth of resources with a U.S. focus.

• 🏳️‍🌈 The Surrey Pride Rainbow Seniors' Social Program (Surrey Pride Society, Surrey, B.C.) provides daytime drag queen bingo high teas, craft events, history intergenerational speed date events, and educational events on elder abuse. The program is funded by a grant from the New Horizons for Seniors Program to Dr. Jen Marchbank, Professor of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies at Simon Fraser University. One of Dr. Marchbank’s areas of research is 2SLGBTQIA+ elder abuse. See our 2024-Nov-05 news item for additional information.

• West End Seniors Network (WESN)

• 🏳️‍🌈 Whats On Queer BC - is not specific to seniors’ information, but may list some social events that you would like check out.

Coming out later in life

Making major life changes later in life is not unique to 2S, trans and queer seniors, but coming out or gender transition has multiple challenges and exciting opportunities.

DSS is committed to supporting seniors who are embarking on this new phase in their journey.

Here are some stories and resources that many serve as a starting point.

• Derek "came out" aged 68; he shares his story in this BBC video.

• Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ timeline

• Interviews:

  • 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors in British Columbia | Source: Dignity Seniors Society

  • Conversations with Robert (Robert Beringer, University of Victoria)

  • Queer Elders Sharing project | YouTube channel | Source: Gay & Grey Montreal

• If you are in the Victoria, B.C. please check out the Victoria Lesbian Care Society (private Facebook page).

• Health Initiate for Men (HIM) is a nonprofit society that aims to strengthen the health and well-being in communities of self-identified GBQ men and gender diverse people in BC. We offer a full spectrum of health-based programming and services to meet the sexual, mental, physical and social health needs of communities of self-identified GBQ men and gender diverse people in BC.

  Our health centres in the Lower Mainland as well as our anonymous testing events in the BC Interior provide GBQ men and gender diverse people with HIV/STI prevention and treatment services. Additionally, our mental health programs provide our communities with access to counselling and support through peer counsellors who work with clients on matters relevant to their mental health such as loneliness, anxiety, coming out, racism, self-esteem/body image, aging, sex, substance use-related issues, and more.

  Physical and social health programs at HIM provide GBQ men and gender diverse people with opportunities to take a more holistic approach to health in an engaging setting that cultivates a sense of connection and builds community. Contact information.

• Vancouver Prime Timers

  Founded in 1990, Vancouver Prime Timers is a group for mature gay and bi men, and younger friends, who meet regularly in the Vancouver area to enjoy social, educational and recreational activities. Members meeting is held once a month. Please check the monthly newsletter with its monthly calendar for dates and times of activities in the Newsletters section.

• West End Seniors Network - Golden Guys group for gay, bi, and trans men – This group fosters a space where members can freely explore their identities, discuss challenges, celebrate victories, and offer empathy and support. The Golden Guys meet every Friday 3:15 – 4:45pm at Barclay Manor.

Coming out/transitioning later in life

Making major life changes later in life is not unique to 2S, trans and queer seniors, but coming out or gender transition has multiple challenges and exciting opportunities.

DSS is committed to supporting seniors who are embarking on this new phase in their journey.

Here are some stories and resources that many serve as a starting point.

• An inside look at transitioning genders later in life

• The Gender Generations Project works to empower Trans, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary, and other gender diverse youth so that they can recognize their potential to be leaders in their own communities through British Columbia.

• Trans Lifeline's Hotline: peer support by trans people for our trans/questioning peers. Call us if you need someone trans to talk to, even if you're not in a crisis or if you're not sure you're trans.

• Positive Spaces Intiative - Intersex resources

• EGALE Canada - Fix Hearts, Not Parts - Intersex Awareness

Intersecting cultures create some specific requirements and considerations. We aim to respect these intersections by ensuring we have diverse board members that can connect with communities and give voice to their needs. We also encourage the development of culturally relevant information for all 2SLGBTQI+ community members. Here are some useful resources:

• 2 Spirits of BC - Indigenous Resources

• First Nations Health Authority: Two-Spirit news and resources

• BIPOC - Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous People of Color (QTBIPOC) [pdf] - is an umbrella term for a social/intellectual/political movement that seeks to encompass a broad range of sexual identities, behaviours, and expressions. It has also been reclaimed as a personal identity for some, after its historical use as a homophobic and transphobic slur.

• JQT Vancouver - Jewish Queer and Trans Resources

• Salaam Canada - National volunteer-run LGBTQ Muslim organization

• Sher Vancouver - a registered charity for queer South Asians and allies in Metro Vancouver.