“I am not out. The other residents don’t know.

It’s like a whole part of me—being a lesbian—doesn’t exist. It’s unpleasant. It makes it hard to make close friends.

It’s lonely.”

—75-year-old lesbian in senior housing

Who we are

Founded in 1998, openhouse is a nonprofi t organization working to ensure that all seniors—regardless of income level, sexual orientation, or gender identity—are able to age with dignity and grace in the place they call home.

openhouse is working to:

• build affordable and mixed income housing with support services for LGBT seniors and their friends.

• create and increase the accessibility of health and social services for LGBT seniors.

• develop community programs targeting LGBT seniors within the larger network of services available to all seniors.

870 Market Street, Suite 458San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 296-8995fax (415) 296-8008

info@openhouse-sf.orgwww.openhouse-sf.org

openhouse trainings are made possible through support from The California Endowment and the San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) seniors are resilient and tenacious.

Still, they do not access the services they need most

as they age.

community for LGBT seniorshousing, services, and

community for LGBT seniorshousing, services, and

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Working together, openhouse can help you reach and serve LGBT seniors.

Experts estimate that today between 1.75 and 3.5 million Americans aged 60 and over are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT). Approximately 25,000 LGBT seniors live in San Francisco and this number is growing quickly.

Unlike other seniors, LGBT seniors have lived most of their lives knowing they could be put in jail or a mental institution just for being gay. They could lose jobs, friends, housing, family, and more if their sexual orientation or gender identity were revealed.

Research shows that LGBT seniors do not access the services that are available to all seniors. When they do, they do not reveal who they are for fear of judgment, rejection, or compromised care. To be in hiding puts their physical, emotional, and social well-being at risk. You can make a difference in helping to reduce isolation for LGBT seniors and all seniors who need your services.

Why a Training?

Our training program lays the groundwork for your staff to become allies and advocates for your LGBT seniors. Participants will learn how to engage LGBT seniors to become more involved and active in your programs.

openhouse’s two-hour LGBT cultural competency training will provide:

• Increased understanding of LGBT aging issues and the obstacles to accessing services.

• Best practices for how to create services that are more accessible and welcoming for LGBT seniors.

• Strategies for accessing existing resources and information available to your LGBT senior clients.

With the passage of AB 2920: Older Californians Equality and Protection Act, the California Department of Aging must ensure that services for elders account for the needs of California’s LGBT seniors.

openhouse trainers

openhouse trainers are available to train all staff, including those who provide direct services, administrative services, home care, practical support and other critical functions. When appropriate, we can also present to community groups, program participants, housing residents, volunteers, or interns.

openhouse will continue working with your agency and staff after the training. And we will be available for ongoing technical assistance and support.

“The panel opened my eyes to many issues I didn’t realize still exist in San Francisco. By far the best training we have had.”

—senior case manager

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