Some of us have different tastes and opinions. Take my cousin, Alex. He dislikes lettuce and chocolate, two things I can’t quite understand. He enjoys horror films and romance novels, which I don’t always get either. But that’s alright – we don’t have to agree on everything.
We all have our preferences. And that’s what makes life interesting. Alex is also part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. I’ve never thought much about that, just as I didn’t think twice when my granddaughter wanted pastel crayons for Christmas instead of dolls. Everyone has their own way of living, and to me, that’s perfectly fine. My motto is “live and let live” – something I believe makes the world a better place.
Differences add variety to life. Who wants to live in a world where we’re all the same? Life is short. Plus, more chocolate for me! Alex recently started attending meetings held by the Rainbow Elders Calgary. They meet twice a month at the Unison Kerby Centre, and I was so impressed by this group that I felt I needed to share it.
Rainbow Elders Calgary is a not-for-profit society with around 120 members. They host regular events like coffee meetups, music bingo, speaker events, potlucks, movie nights, and even all-inclusive swimming sessions. Lately, the group has been reaching out to younger people to offer a supportive place where they can feel safe.
I’ve known Alex my entire life, and I remember how hard it was for him growing up. He was teased because he didn’t fit the mold of what was considered “normal.” It took a lot of hard work and personal growth for Alex to feel confident and comfortable with who he is. And all because he wasn’t interested in girls – something that’s no big deal in my eyes. It’s why I support the work of Rainbow Elders Calgary. They’re helping younger generations and reaching out to transgender youth to let them know it’s safe to be themselves around them, because they also struggled when they were young.
The 2SLGBTQ+ community sees how much the youth are struggling. These Elders also hid who they were for fear of their safety. It’s hard not to worry about the future they’re facing. But I believe, just like Alex, they deserve the freedom to be who they are without fear or shame.
People who are queer, trans, or identify in any part of the rainbow community have always been a part of our society. As we all get older, there’s fears of what aging might look like for those who move into care facilities. Alex has been browsing different locations, and he’s going to need to help managing his diabetes meds.
What will being an older gay man look like if and when he settles in an old age home? It’s troubling that he’s saying he might have to go back in the closet. He’s worried about discrimination and how that could affect the quality of his care. This is something that matters to me, and I think it’s important to talk about, especially knowing how anxious he was about coming out in the first place.
In the end, we all just want to have the freedom to be ourselves, without fear of judgment. I don’t want Alex to worry, and I definitely worry enough for the both of us. I hope we’re wrong! It’s never too late to learn compassion and understanding.
To learn more about Rainbow Elders Calgary, and share it with people in your life that could use a community who will understand and support them, go to their website: rainbowelderscalgary.ca
