Resources for Seniors Celebrating Pride Month in Chicago

Is there a better place to be during Pride Month than Chicago? From the iconic Pride Parade to numerous LGBTQ-friendly neighborhoods, Chicago is one of the most inclusive communities for LGBTQ people in the country.

As a senior, you may want to take a more relaxed approach to Pride Month festivities. Luckily, you have plenty of opportunities to celebrate Pride Month with peers in Chicago. And if you haven't been involved with an LGBTQ community organization before, now is a great time to join.

Here's how you can celebrate Pride Month as a senior in 2019:

Get to know local nonprofits.

When you think of how to celebrate Pride Month, a nonprofit may not be the first place you consider. But many LGBTQ-focused community organizations have plenty of activities planned for you to celebrate Pride Month and get to know your peers all year round.

Center on Halsted provides health and well-being programming to Chicago's LGBTQ residents. It offers programming for people of all ages, and more than 150 older adults in the community attend workshops, take classes and socialize every week with its 55+ programming. These programs are created in coordination with the nonprofit Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE), which provides advocacy and services for LGBTQ older adults nationwide.

Center on Halsted hosts a variety of gatherings and activities throughout the year, from meditation classes to opportunities to get coffee and meet new people. To get in the Pride Month spirit, you can also attend Center on Halsted's Pride Fest Hangout on Saturday, June 22 or its Pride Parade Viewing Brunch on Sunday, June 30, where you can watch the Pride Parade while in the comfort of air conditioning.

Check out senior communities.

Even if you aren't a resident of a senior community, many of these communities provide programs for older adults in the area, including people in the LGBTQ community.

Chicago Methodist Senior Services is home to the only SAGE affiliate in Illinois outside of Chicago through its suburban partner, West Suburban Senior Services (WSSS) in Bellwood. SAGE WSSS offers weekly programming for LGBTQ older adults including a regular Friday lunch and discussion group, a weekly crafters group and a monthly movie. To celebrate Pride Month, program participants are watching a film on the historic events at Stonewall and coming together for an annual picnic. In the recent past, program participants have enjoyed riding in the AARP Senior Pride Coalition trolley in the annual Chicago Pride Parade, where they were warmly cheered by parade watchers.

If you're living outside of Chicago, you can check out where SAGE affiliates are located throughout Illinois. If you want to become more involved with peers in your community this Pride Month, do a quick search of senior communities in your area and see if any upcoming events interest you.

If you want to become more involved with peers in your community this Pride Month, do a quick search of senior communities in your area and see if any upcoming events interest you.

Make Pride Month your own!

Whether you want to visit historic LGBTQ neighborhoods like Boystown or Andersonville, or just spend quality time with your loved ones, there are no limits to the ways you can celebrate Pride Month.

You can also choose to take part in events specifically related to Pride Month in Chicago. Second City's Salute To Pride features an all-LGBTQ cast every Tuesday and Thursday throughout June. If you are up for it, you can also visit street festivals across Chicago including Navy Pier Pride on June 29 and Pride North on June 30.

No matter what, Pride Month is about celebrating the impact of the LGBTQ community, so you should do what makes you happiest. And if you're an ally of the LGBTQ community, remember to visit with your older loved one to show how much you appreciate them this Pride Month. The progress made toward LGBTQ equality was built on the work and sacrifices of our LGBTQ elders and allies. Pride Month is the perfect opportunity to take the time to acknowledge and honor them.

Bill Lowe is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Chicago Methodist Senior Services, a nonprofit provider of memory care; skilled nursing; supportive and assisted living; cardiac, orthopedic, neurologic and general medical rehabilitation; and other aging services.