Older Adults
A Place That Knows Your History
LGBTQ+ seniors built the movement, survived the AIDS crisis, and lived through decades when being out wasn’t safe. Persad’s older adult program exists to honor that history and provide the community, care, and belonging LGBTQ+ seniors deserve.
LGBTQ+ support throughout your life
LGBTQ+ older adults often carry histories shaped by stigma, loss, and long-term resilience. Many have experienced rejection, lived through the AIDS crisis, and spent decades carefully navigating their identity in unsafe and unsupportive environments.
Today, many face senior care systems that aren’t prepared to fully understand or support them, from assumptions about identity to a lack of affirming social and medical care.
Persad has supported LGBTQ+ seniors since 2008 through the OWLS program and a regional partnership with SAGE Advocacy and Services for LGBTQ+ Elders. We also partnered with Presbyterian SeniorCare to develop LGBTQ+-affirming housing. Our focus is peer connection, clinical support, and affirming spaces where people can live without explanation.
Programs For Older Adults
OWLS
A peer support and community group for LGBTQ+ adults ages 50 and older. Includes regular gatherings featuring conversation, shared topics, and guest speakers focused on issues that matter to LGBTQ+ seniors.
Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy with therapists who understand the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ older adults. We provide affirming care for grief, isolation, identity across the lifespan, family estrangement, and long-term health or disability concerns.
Telehealth
Available across Pennsylvania, offering accessible affirming care for seniors with limited mobility, transportation challenges, or distance-related barriers.
SAGE Affiliation
As a regional SAGE affiliate, Persad connects older LGBTQ+ adults to national advocacy, resources, and community support networks.
Keep Connected
Like the Persad Facebook page to stay updated on events and activities such as field trips and Sunday evening movie nights.
Click here https://tinyurl.com/2jnubxxb to subscribe to our newsletter and mailing list.
Persad is proud to be the region’s leader in LGBTQ+ older adult programming.
You Can Make a Difference
Persad has been sustained by community support for over 50 years. Financial contributions, in-kind donations, and volunteer time all make a direct difference in the care and services we can provide.
Donate
Your gift funds therapy for clients who can't afford it, keeps the food pantry stocked, supports Phoenix Fitness, and helps Persad continue responding when the community needs something new.
Current Needs
In-kind donations of food, hygiene products, fitness equipment, and supplies make a real difference. Our current needs list is updated regularly.
Volunteer
Volunteers support events, outreach, the food pantry, administrative work, and more. If you want to put your time toward something that matters, Persad has a place for you.