LGBTQ+ Support

Affirming and inclusive services for LGBTQ seniors

WestMass ElderCare’s LGBTQ+ support offers the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQ+) community and our allies opportunities to meet one another and grow in our identities.

We Can Help:

Provide social connection through monthly events, including:
- Holyoke Rainbow Supper Club at Holyoke Senior Center (1st Wednesday of the month at 5pm)
- Coffee Hour at the Belchertown Senior Center (2nd Wednesday at 10am)
- Coffee Hour at the South Hadley Senior Center (3rd Thursday at 10am)

Who We Serve:

LGBTQ+ older adults
Younger partners
Allies

Want to learn more about the Rainbow Social Club or know whenever we announce a new event? Stay in touch and join our mailing list by emailing rainbowsocialclub@wmeldercare.org.

Happening This Month

Reach Out Any Time

Do you have questions or ideas for events? Are you an LGBTQ+ senior, partner, younger friend, or ally who’s new to the RSC and want to connect before joining event? Maybe you want to join the Rainbow Social Club Steering Committee and help plan future activities and events? Whatever the case, email us at RainbowSocialClub@wmeldercare.org to express your interest!

Additional Opportunities

Steering Committee: virtual

Second Wednesdays of the Month: 4:00–5:00 pm

Want to plan future gatherings or events with a great team of people? Join us for our next meeting! Email rainbowsocialclub@wmeldercare.org for more info.

Other LGBTQ+ Groups to Check Out

Amherst Senior Center – 1st Tuesday of month @ 10-11 am – Rainbow Coffee Hour
Belchertown Senior Center – 2nd Wednesday of month @ 10-11 am – Rainbow Social Hour
Hadley Senior Center – See calendar – Lavender Lunch at 12:30 pm
Northampton Senior Center –
- Silver Lesbians – 1st, 3rd & 5th Tuesday at 2:30 pm
- Gay Men’s Group – Every Friday @ 1 pm
North County Senior Center (Bernardston) – 3rd Friday @ 11 am
South County Senior Center (Sunderland) – 2nd Thursday of month @ 12 – 2 pm – Through Rainbow Elders
South Hadley Senior Center – 3rd Thursday of month @ 10:30 – 12 pm

Other Western MA Based LGBTQ Senior Resources:

Rainbow Elders – Franklin County Group through LifePath offers support groups and social events for LGBTQIA+ older adults. It is also connected to the senior services agency LifePath for other support.
Rainbow Seniors – Berkshire County Organization – Provides social and educational activities for LGBTQ+ seniors and their allies who live in or near Berkshire County, Massachusetts, USA. While they focus on those age 60+, adults of all generations are welcome to attend their activities.

Statewide & National LGBTQ+ Senior Resources:

The LGBTQIA Aging Project – Through Fenway Health is the premier resource in New England advocating specifically for LGBTQIA+ older adults. It is the “go to” place for organizations looking for training and technical assistance as well as individuals seeking connection and support.
OUTstandingLIFE – A Virtual Community of LGBTQ+ Older Adults whose mission is to improve the quality of life of LGBTQ+ older adults by creating opportunities for connectedness through free online programming. They serve hundreds of LGBTQ+ seniors through their virtual senior center online community.
The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is the country’s first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) older adults.
Stonewall at OLLI is a University of Massachusetts (Boston) membership-based learning community for mature adults ages 50 and over. Of the 117 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s (OLLI) nationally, Stonewall at OLLI is the only OLLI that brings together LGBT people to share educational, social and cultural experiences.