SAGE has created this checklist of age-friendly practices for Pride celebrations. The framework is based on the World Health Organization’s domains of Age-Friendly Communities. However, age is just one part of a larger commitment to embracing the diversity of our community.
Outdoor Spaces and Structures
There is a broad range of characteristics of the urban landscape and the built environment that contribute to age-friendliness.
- Events are held in venues that can accommodate individuals with limited mobility
- Activities and services for LGBT older people are clustered together to minimize travel distance
- Pathways are well-maintained, level, non-slip, with low curbs that taper, and wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs
- Reserve seating is provided
- A shaded cooling center and hydration station is provided
- Convenient restroom access is a priority
Communication and Information
Regardless of the variety of communication choices and the volume of information available, the central concern is to have relevant information readily accessible to older people with varying capacities and resources.
- Information about the Pride events are disseminated to LGBT older adult audiences where they can conduct their usual activities such as wear they live, senior centers, and faith communities – not just LGBT settings
- Age-friendly printed materials describing Pride activities are provided (large type, clear headings)
- Outreach specifically to older LGBT individuals is conducted through the postal service, email, and social media
- When communicating with LGBT older adults, information about the event, its accessibility and transportation options is included
Civic Participation
An Age-Friendly Community provides options for older people to contribute and to be engaged.
- Pride advisory councils, planning committees, boards and staff include LGBT older adults with representation from transgender communities and communities of color
- Begin or maintain collaborations with Racial Justice organizations – building relationships and working together on issues important to LGBT elders of color.
- The skills and interests of LGBT older adult volunteers are matched to positions that take advantage of their skills, and appeal to their interests
- Volunteers are supported in their work, for example, being offered rides to and from meetings or having the cost of transportation from meetings or having the cost of transportation reimbursed for low-income elders
Social Participation
The capacity to participate in formal and informal social life depends not only on the offer of activities, but also on having adequate access to transportation and facilities.
- Support exists to enable LGBT older adults to participate, such as reserved seating, aids for the hard of hearing, and transportation
- LGBT older adults have the option to participate with a friend or caregiver
- Elder-oriented activities are offered and the times are convenient for LGBT older people
- Committees are charged with finding ways to encourage more LGBT elder participation
- Partnerships with elder-serving organizations are formed to encourage more participation through cross-postings, co-hosting, and developmental activities
Transportation
Being able to move freely determines social and civic participation
- When a parade terminates at an inaccessible location, alternate arrangements for older adult contingents are made such as allowing them to exit the parade before the end of the route or providing shuttles back to the parade route, parking lots, or public transportation
- Access to reserved parking is provided
- The walking route from parking lot to venue is free of trip hazards
- Shuttles to and from parking lots are provided
- Assistance for individuals with sight or mobility issues is provided
- Shuttles to and from senior buildings and residential communities are provided
Respect and Social Inclusion
The extend to which older people participate is closely linked to their experience of inclusion.
- LGBT older adult contingents are placed at the start of the Parade (both to honor their contributions and to assure that LGBT older adults don’t have to queue for a long time)
- Older adult inclusion strategies and outreach tactics are specifically inclusive of transgender older adults and older adults of color
- The lives, challenges overcome, and historical accomplishments of the older LGBT community are acknowledged and celebrated
- There is an application of resources to – and visible action on – issues that resonate most with African American, Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, and Native American LGBT older adults
- LGBT older adults are consulted on ways to better include them in Pride events
- Partnerships and collaborations with organizations that serve transgender elders and elders of color are established
- For those older adults wishing to be in the parade, alternatives to walking and riding on floats – such as golf carts, buses, and trolleys – are provided
- LGBT older adults wishing to be in the parade
Make a commitment to have an inclusive Pride celebration this year. To sign the SAGE pledge online, visit sageusa.org/welcometopride