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Support group provides safe space for older members of LGBTQ community

Support group provides safe space for older members of LGBTQ community
TRAILBLAZING GENERATION. WELL, WELCOME EVERYBODY TO OUR SILVER TRIANGLE MEETING TWO SATURDAYS EVERY MONTH. THE CONVERSATION HAPPENS AT THE RAINBOW ROSE CENTER FLOW. I’D LOVE TO TALK ABOUT HOW OUR GENERATION HAS IMPACTED THE LGBT COMMUNITY AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE HERE SPENT MOST OF THEIR LIVES WITHOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS, TO SIT AROUND AND TALK IN A SAFE SPACE ABOUT THEIR OWN UNIQUE LIVES. I ONLY CAME OUT THREE YEARS AGO, SO I SPENT, UH, 64 YEARS HIDING IN THE CLOSET. RANDY HAS MADE FAST FRIENDS AT THIS SUPPORT GROUP. IT’S CALLED THE SILVER TRIANGLE, SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO MEMBERS OF THE LGBT COMMUNITY WHO ARE 55 AND OLDER. FINDING THIS WAS HUGE FOR ME BECAUSE MENTALLY I’M BETTER. YEAH, A LOT LESS STRESS ON MY BRAIN. YES, THERE’S THE WHAT WE SEE AS NEGATIVITY IN THE BACKLASH, BUT IT’S BECAUSE THERE’S SO MUCH GOOD HAPPENING. THE SILVER TRIANGLE GROUP STARTED IN FEBRUARY AND HAS SERVED AS A SOUNDING BOARD FOR OUT SENIORS, EVEN THOSE WHO CAN’T PHYSICALLY GET TO THE MEETINGS. IT IS A MUCH MORE ACCEPT PLACE IN THE GAY COMMUNITY FOR TRANS PEOPLE. NOW. SOMETIMES THEY INVITE IT IN SPEAKERS, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THEY JUST CHAT. THERE’S USUALLY A COMMONALITY WHEN YOU MAKE A FRIEND AND AND TO MAKE A FRIEND THAT ALSO HAS THE COMMONALITY OF BEING IN THE LGBT COMMUNITY. LEE IS JUST ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH TO CONNECT THIS SENSE OF BELONGING IS SOMETHING THEY NEVER REALLY HAD WHEN THEY WERE YOUNGER. WHEN A RESOURCE LIKE THIS FOR THE GAY COMMUNITY DID NOT EXIST. SO NOW THEY’RE ENJOYING THEIR CHATS. NOW. ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT. THANKS EVERYONE. TAKE CARE, TAKE CARE. BYE BYE BYE. IN SPR
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Support group provides safe space for older members of LGBTQ community
June is Pride Month, and the spotlight is on the contributions made by the LGBTQ community in Pennsylvania. "Welcome everybody to our Silver Triangle meeting," is the warm greeting that starts the bi-monthly meetings at the Rainbow Rose Center in York County."I'd love to talk about how our generation has impacted the LGBT community," one member shared.The group provides a safe space for individuals who have spent most of their lives unable to openly discuss their unique experiences."I only came out three years ago, so I spent 64 years hiding in the closet," member Randy said.Silver Triangle is specifically tailored to members of the LGBTQ community who are 55 and older."Finding this was huge for me because mentally, I'm better. Yeah, a lot less stress on my brain," Randy said."Yes, there is what we see as negativity in the backlash, but it's because there's so much good happening," Steph said.The group, which started in February, serves as a sounding board for out seniors. This includes those who can't physically attend the meetings."There's a much more accepting place in the gay community for trans people now," Everest said.The meetings sometimes feature guest speakers, but more often, they are a platform for open conversation."There's usually a commonality when you make a friend. And to make a friend that also has the commonality of being in the LGBT community is just another way in which to connect," said Jenn PageWise, with the Rainbow Rose Center.This sense of belonging is something many members didn't have when they were younger. At that time, resources like this for the gay community didn't exist.Now, they're enjoying it.The center also offers other support groups for teens, families and people living with HIV.

June is Pride Month, and the spotlight is on the contributions made by the LGBTQ community in Pennsylvania.

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"Welcome everybody to our Silver Triangle meeting," is the warm greeting that starts the bi-monthly meetings at the Rainbow Rose Center in York County.

"I'd love to talk about how our generation has impacted the LGBT community," one member shared.

The group provides a safe space for individuals who have spent most of their lives unable to openly discuss their unique experiences.

"I only came out three years ago, so I spent 64 years hiding in the closet," member Randy said.

Silver Triangle is specifically tailored to members of the LGBTQ community who are 55 and older.

"Finding this was huge for me because mentally, I'm better. Yeah, a lot less stress on my brain," Randy said.

"Yes, there is what we see as negativity in the backlash, but it's because there's so much good happening," Steph said.

The group, which started in February, serves as a sounding board for out seniors. This includes those who can't physically attend the meetings.

"There's a much more accepting place in the gay community for trans people now," Everest said.

The meetings sometimes feature guest speakers, but more often, they are a platform for open conversation.

"There's usually a commonality when you make a friend. And to make a friend that also has the commonality of being in the LGBT community is just another way in which to connect," said Jenn PageWise, with the Rainbow Rose Center.

This sense of belonging is something many members didn't have when they were younger. At that time, resources like this for the gay community didn't exist.

Now, they're enjoying it.

The center also offers other support groups for teens, families and people living with HIV.