My first experience with Rainbow Elders Calgary (REC) was two years ago at the Stonewall Gala
at the BMO centre. I was volunteering and during the course of the evening, I noticed a happy group of seniors all decked out in pride colours having a wonderful time. I went right over and said, "Who are you and how do I find you?" They gave me their card and invited me to the Unison Kerby Centre to enjoy coffee and cookies and chat every other Wednesday. I had only recently moved to Calgary with my partner and had been looking forward to developing some queer connections for conversation and fun events. Well! Here they were!
I am an immigrant to Canada, leaving my country of birth due to legislation that forbids my existence. I have been here since the turn of the millennia, mostly in the Maritimes and Ontario. Canada welcomed me with open arms, gave me gainful employment in the Canadian Forces and a life far beyond my expectations. At REC, I met other veterans, and other folk who have known hardship due to their sexual orientation, people with a variety of employment and familial experience and a common desire to live their lives authentically and without fear. We have a bundle of fun together.
Rainbow Elders provides meaningful support by organizing social events and recreational opportunities. Many of our events are free, like Bird Watching with Abby, picnics in the park, and our bi-monthly meet-up at Unison Kerby. We sponsor dances twice a year and participate with Super-membership events like lawn bowling.
As seniors, we believe we have a responsibility to connect with and be role models for our vulnerable 2SLGBTQ+ youth. Camp Fyrefly is a retreat sponsored by the Centre for Sexuality for youth leaders in our Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Everyone Else (2SLGBTQ+) community. Rainbow Elders has consistently been invited to participate each summer, and we are looking forward to this year's visit.
A national study by Mount Royal University researcher, Dr. Celeste Pang PhD., explored how aging-related issues impact seniors in the queer and transsexual communities. It suggested the senior community is concerned about being open members of the 2SLGBTQ+ family if they must move to an assisted living or long-term care facility. This isolation is partly due to unaddressed gaps in social connections and recreational provisions for 2SLGBTQ+ seniors in Calgary in these facilities. Rainbow Elders was instrumental in reinforcing how essential our organization is to ensure that people can always be their true selves. Pang's book, released in 2023 by Egale Canada:Aging and Living Well Among LGBTQI Older Adults in Canada: Findings from a National Study is being touted as a tool illustrating how unique our stories can be. Rainbow Elders Calgary is a volunteer-led non-profit organization working to make significant differences in the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ seniors. We work to provide support and address issues such as social isolation and loneliness.
Younger members of our community can have elders with whom to talk and share their thoughts and feelings whereas that may not be available within their sphere. We also have a mission to educate the long-term care and assisted living clients and staff about diversity and how to create a safe space for 2SLGBTQ+ citizens.
We invite you to attend one of our safe social events such as a dance or a picnic in the park during the summer. We've been to films and concerts together, as well as enjoyed pizza and pop afternoons. Email rainbowelderscalgary@gmail.com for more information.
