Senior Outreach Program (SOP) |
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Our mission is to improve the quality of life of older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents of Contra Costa County through outreach, advocacy and education. We grew up in an era when most of society considered us sick, sinful or criminal. If our sexual orientations became known, we could lose our jobs, homes, families, friends and reputation. Some of us were imprisoned, hospitalized, or beaten up. For many LGBTQ persons in those days, the only way to survive was to hide our true selves and attempt to pass as heterosexual. Since then our situation has improved, at least in the Bay Area. Yet many LGBTQ seniors understandably remain fearful and isolated. Reaching out to our closeted sisters and brothers is one reason we founded SOP. Even those LGBTQ seniors who are “out” and active in our community face the possibility of anti-gay prejudice, or simply well-meaning ignorance. Thus, another reason SOP exists is to educate service providers. Like others facing the challenges of aging, we deserve respectful, high quality medical and social services, as well as a vibrant and caring community. A Hidden Population To survive meant to hide. Many were sent to mental institutions or jail because of their sexual orientation. To hide now places emotional and physical well-being at risk. Now in their 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, LGBTQ seniors are often in the closet and reluctant to seek out needed mainstream services for fear that someone will find out they are gay. The Rainbow Community Center’s Senior Outreach Program (SOP) addresses this isolation for this invisible population by developing peer support and working with health, social service, and housing providers to increase sensitivity to the needs and concerns of LGBTQ seniors. The Senior Outreach Project (SOP)* is a program of the Rainbow Community Center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning seniors in the Contra Costa County. People at Leisure (PAL), is a social and support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning seniors that meet on the fourth Thursday of the month for luncheon meetings. Contact RCC for more info at (925) 692-0090 or . |
Whether you are in the closet or out of the closet, new to your identity or always have known, with a partner, lost a partner, or single, retired or still working, shy or Come Join Us and Be Who You Are! RCC offers a warm, welcoming and accepting place to gather. Our Senior Outreach Project (SOP) includes:
For more information, contact the Center at: Phone: 925-692-0090
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