LGBTQIA2+ older adults do not age in the same way—and their identities matter. Intersectionality shapes how race, gender identity, disability, income, and geography impact access to care, community, and dignity in later life.

Carolina Aging Alliance is proud to feature guest contributors who bring insight, compassion, and expertise to the lives of LGBTQIA2+ older adults across the Carolinas. Today, we’re honored to share the insight of Joel G. Anderson, PhD, CHTP, FGSA.  Joel is the Joan L. Creasia Endowed Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Nursing  and a member of the Carolina Aging Alliance Board of Directors. Compared with their straight, cisgender peers, LGBTQIA2+ older adults

Every generation within the LGBTQIA2+ community carries its own history of courage, creativity, and resilience. From those who marched and organized decades ago to those shaping a more inclusive world today, our collective story is one of progress built through connection.

The holiday season is frequently referred to as “the most wonderful time of the year,” brimming with family gatherings, cherished traditions, and joyous celebrations. However, for numerous older LGBTQ+ adults, this period can evoke contrasting emotions—feelings of loneliness, isolation, or painful reminders of past rejection.

Discover how Carolina Aging Alliance is combating social isolation in LGBTQIA2+ seniors through inclusive community programs, peer support, and volunteer connections.