San Francisco has been called the LGBTQ+ capital of the world, setting the bar high for championing LGBTQ+ history, diversity, inclusivity and community. It’s home to the Castro and the Transgender District; month-long celebrations of Pride and Transgender History; queer and gender nonconforming drag performers, artists and writers; and institutions offering gender-affirming health care.
It’s also the home of Openhouse, a nonprofit providing connection and services to some 3,000 San Francisco LGBTQ+ seniors and celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
“Openhouse exists to fill the need to help LGBT seniors really overcome the sort of historic barriers that they have faced and be in an environment where they can grow and thrive,” said Openhouse Executive Director Kathleen Sullivan.
Openhouse’s Laguna Street campus has two affordable housing facilities with more than 100 apartment units. It also runs the Bob Ross LGBT Senior Center at 65 Laguna St. and Openhouse Community Center at 75 Laguna St., which offer support services, programs and activities.
While providing housing is a foundational component of Openhouse, the organization has, from the get-go, sought to do more. During construction of the initial housing facility at 55 Laguna St., Openhouse got to work offering immediate, direct support.
“We weren’t waiting for the building to be built and then provide services … but actually worked with a community to sort of build out services, whether they were social events to reduce isolation or case management to help people navigate housing needs, how you apply for Medicare, Medicaid, et cetera,” Sullivan said.
Such support is critical, given that LGBTQ seniors may confront discrimination.
“I think that there are barriers to care and services. A lot of it stems from the fact that even in San Francisco, which is such a fantastic city, we still see and seniors still encounter homophobia, transphobia and just a lack of training [of staff],” Sullivan said.
For example, transgender elders may face challenges at geriatricians’ offices on initial evaluations.
“Unless [doctors] are very sensitive to the biology of a transgender senior and what’s called the ‘organ intake,’ they can oftentimes re-traumatize these older adults, who, in later life, have oftentimes decided to come out and are just looking for a place where they can be safe and have a sense of belonging. And that just doesn’t happen in all medical facilities, but also at all senior facilities,” Sullivan said.
And by connecting with complementary social service organizations such as Mercy Housing, the Shanti Project, LYRIC and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Openhouse has enhanced its programming and ability to reflect diversity among LGBTQ+ seniors.
Openhouse and fellow organizations work with San Francisco to obtain funding to create LGBTQ+ safe spaces, which evolve based on needs and interests of the individuals and groups being served.
People in the “Trans Resilience” Transgender & Gender Nonconforming (TGNC) Support Group meet weekly on Wednesdays to socialize, share a meal, and discuss ways to navigate challenges they face.
“Our TGNC community members are really creating the programming that they want to see, the outings that they want to do. And so it’s really been incredible. It’s been very good for us to learn, but also it’s been very rewarding to be able to just be a small piece in people feeling comfortable and feeling supported.”
Sullivan added: “The most amazing thing is it’s very generative, so it’s people supporting one another, and it’s become this really beautiful community. And that’s really credit, I think, to our Department of Aging Services, that they have recognized the need for transgender elders to have a safe place to come and talk.”
The Friendly Visitor program pairs an LGBTQ+ senior with a younger member of the community or an ally. Going into the new year, the plan is to expand the program, specifically for the TGNC community.
One notable Openhouse partnership is with On Lok, a longtime Bay Area organization serving seniors, which resulted in the 2020 opening of the first LGBTQ+ senior community day center offering activities, disability support, care management, transportation and meals. Its users have come up with a preferred name. Sullivan said, “We call it Club 75 because nobody wants to go to something called community day center, right? You want to go to Club 75. And so it’s the address, and it’s a club.”
Rainbow Lunch, drag bingo, Gay Gray Writers, outings to the senior dog rescue center Muttville and to films, plays and other cultural happenings ensure opportunities for connection inside and outside of Club 75.
Annual scheduled events include Señora Felicia Flames Intergenerational TGNCI Brunch in June (on the same day as the Trans March) and Spring Fling in mid-April. This year, Nancy Pelosi received an award in person at Spring Fling for her LGBTQ+ contributions and AIDS/HIV advocacy.
The Fall Feast, a catered sit-down event is in mid-November, and the Holiday Party, a low-key gathering, on Dec. 17 this year, offered card-making, games and refreshments.
As the San Francisco Human Services Agency’s Department of Disability and Aging Services reports that approximately 30% of San Francisco residents will be 60 or older by 2030, Openhouse is poised to become an increasingly sought-after resource and community hub for aging LGBTQ+ city residents.
“Are we needed? I would say yes. And the proof of that is we keep increasing the number of people that we’re serving every year,” Sullivan said.
Going forward, Openhouse has plans for another residence with 187 units at 1939 Market St.— more safe spaces for LGBTQ+ seniors living in the LGBTQ+ capital of the world.
To learn more about volunteering at Openhouse, visit openhousesf.org/volunteer. To donate, go to openhousesf.org/donate.
