By Ari Harris
In the midst of political turmoil, it is easy to feel powerless and disillusioned.
The pace of the news, dramatic policy shifts, and public commentary drives discussions that can lead us to question what, if anything, our individual actions can change. One thing that we can all engage in, for ourselves and our communities, is collective care.
LGBTQ+ people share a long, proud history of taking care of our own. We have always found ways to organize support networks during the hardest of times, from the pre-Stonewall years of McCarthyism and police raids to the darkest days of the AIDS crisis to today’s toxic political rhetoric. Caring for ourselves and the immediate community is not a distraction from larger, more broad political engagement, but rather it is necessary for enduring difficult times.
This care is sustenance for our bodies and spirits as we imagine and work to build more supportive spaces, resources, and a better future. In this way, care becomes a foundation for resistance, and an essential part of survival.
Queer and trans elders have been demonstrating the power of collective care for decades. In fact, 21% of LGBTQ+ elders have been caregivers, making up 9% of all caregivers in the United States.
The capacity to love and care in dark times is a part of our lineage. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera provided food and shelter for transgender youth while advocating for prison reform and the Gay Bill of Rights. Today, representatives in congress have formed powerful coalitions and caucuses to advocate on behalf of larger communities toward the extension of equal rights and improved well-being.
Powerful institutions, coalitions, and support networks are built by individuals with the capacity to show up. This capacity begins with showing up for ourselves. In a world with unlimited media and an overwhelming news cycle, it is important to set boundaries around how much news we consume, and give ourselves permission to take a break.
Confiding in loved ones about our feelings and prioritizing making time for activities that restore us is essential to fill our cups and replenish the energy we need to care for our communities. Caring for ourselves increases our ability to care for others. When we individually feel supported and grounded, our communities are strengthened.
There are many ways to get involved in serving your community through SAGE. Last spring, SAGE launched SAGEYou, a platform designed to connect LGBTQ+ elders everywhere through virtual programs and resources centered around community and care.
Since 1979, the SAGE Friendly Visitor program has matched volunteers from the community with LGBTQ+ elders to form relationships that are mutually rewarding and build community. This program helps alleviate isolation, serving as a bridge between LGBTQ+ individuals across generations.
If it is an option for you, you can take action to further SAGE’s long history of advocacy. Our Action Squad nationwide network will provide you with timely updates, action alerts, and opportunities to make your voice heard on critical issues affecting our community. Through collective action, we can advance policies that promote equality, dignity, and respect.
