June is Pride Month! In the US, Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall riots and serves as a time to remember those who have perished due to AIDS and anti-LGBTQ+ violence, recognize the achievements of LGBTQ+ individuals, and examine LGBTQ+ issues.
Why is Pride Month needed?
According to a 2020 report, 1 in 3 LGBTQ individuals reported facing some form of discrimination in the past year. 50% of LGBTQ individuals reported hiding their relationship out of fear of discrimination. 1 in 5 LGBTQ individuals reported discrimination negatively affecting their mental health. 22% of LGBTQ individuals live in poverty (vs. 16% of cisgender, straight individuals); that number jumps to 29% when looking at transgender individuals.
Where can people look to find LGBTQ+ friendly resources?
Washtenaw County Resources
- Jim Toy Community Center
- Who they serve: Offers activities and monthly support group for older lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender individuals
- What they do: social groups, support groups, free legal aid, friendly caller program
- Phone: (734) 274-9551
- Website: https://www.jimtoycenter.org/groups
- Unified
- Who they serve: help residents of Southeast Michigan living with or affected by HIV achieve optimal health through compassionate direct care, support services, prevention and education.
- What they do: testing, food pantry, support groups, therapy, housing assistance
- MI HIV/STI Hotline: (800) 872-2437
- Phone: (734) 572-9355
- Website: https://miunified.org/locationsandcontact (Scroll to bottom of page for Ypsi location)
- Ahead of the Curve (a program of Catholic Charities Washtenaw County)
- Who they serve: caregivers, older adults, concerned community members in Washtenaw County
- What they do: resource connection, publish printed and online Senior Resource Directory
- Phone: Call (734) 971-9781, option 8 to speak with a Resource Advocate
- Website: https://seniorresourceconnectmi.org/resource-directory (Select the “LGBTQ Affirming” box under SPECIAL SUPPORT to filter resources.)
- We also did a roundup of LGBTQ+ friendly resources in 2020
- Area Agency on Aging 1-B
- Who they serve: caregivers, older adults
- What they do: resource advocacy
- Phone: Call the Area Agency on Aging 1-B at (800) 852-7795 to talk about local resources. AAA 1-B staff are trained by SAGE Metro Detroit to appropriately serve LGBTQ+ older adults.
- Website: https://aaa1b.org/services-and-seniors/outreach-for-lgbt-seniors
Metro Detroit Resources
- SAGE Metro Detroit
- Who they serve: LGBTQ+ older adults in metro Detroit and their allies
- What they do: publishes a Rainbow Resource Guide each year that covers a variety of resources including mental health, home health care, community centers, and housing. Also offer social events and a friendly caller program.
- Phone: (734) 681-0854
- Website: https://www.sagemetrodetroit.org
Michigan State-level Resources
- Transgender Michigan
- Who they serve: Transgender Michigan’s primary mission is to provide advocacy, support and education while serving to create coalitions in the state of Michigan to unify and empower transgender and gender non-conformist communities.
- What they do: maintain calendar and resource guide (Called “TransPages”)
- Website: https://www.transgendermichigan.org
National Resources
- National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging
- Who they serve: The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging is the country’s first and only technical assistance resource center focused on improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender older adults, their families and caregivers.
- What they do: run elder hotline friendly caller program, publish reports, and share information via the website.
- Hotline: 877-360-LGBT(5428)
- Website: https://www.lgbtagingcenter.org
- Their website has a wealth of information, including helpful practical information such as how to prepare for a medical procedure or a guide for caregivers of LGBTQ+ older adults
- World Professional Association for Transgender Health
- Who they serve: WPATH is a nonprofit that aims to develop evidence-based medicine and strive to promote a high quality of care for transsexual, transgender, and gender-nonconforming individuals internationally.
- What they do: offer conferences and information about medicine as it relates to transgender individuals. Also maintains a directory of transgender-friendly WPATH medical providers.
- Website: https://www.wpath.org/provider/search
- Strands for Trans
- Who they serve: trans individuals in the US in need of a haircut
- What they do: maintain a list of trans-friendly barber shops.
- Website: You can view their interactive map by visiting https://www.strandsfortrans.com and scrolling to the bottom of the page or visiting https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1CRAKdWRl_rvqST3sBRoLKUO60JA
