GRIS Estrie launches initiative for 2SLGBTQ+ seniors
William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
GRIS Estrie is launching a new initiative aimed at 2SLGBTQ+ seniors, addressing the unique challenges faced by those aged 55 and older in the Eastern Townships. The project, Pour que GRIS soit arc-en-ciel, will bring discussion groups, educational workshops, and an online platform to communities across the region in an effort to create more inclusive and supportive spaces.
According to GRIS Estrie Director General Samuell Beaudoin, 2SLGBTQ+ seniors are often overlooked. “They are used to seeing services focused on young folks, but we forget that people over 55 are also part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community,” Beaudoin said in a Feb. 3 interview. “There are prejudices to demystify, and the way to address them differs from younger generations. It’s not that there are more prejudices—just different ones.”
Beaudoin noted that many 2SLGBTQ+ seniors have lived through periods of intense discrimination, both politically and socially. As a result, some retreat back into the closet when they enter new environments, particularly in seniors’ residences or community spaces where they are unsure of how they will be received. “When the political landscape gets tougher, people tend to hide,” Beaudoin said. “Some 2SLGBTQ+ elders go back into the closet just to ensure they are in a safe environment.”
To counter this isolation and promote understanding, GRIS Estrie will hold demystification workshops specifically tailored for seniors. The organization will also introduce coffee meetings and themed conferences designed to foster conversation and exchange. One session, titled When I Was Young, There Was No Such Thing as Gender Diversity, aims to connect with participants through historical context and personal experiences. Another, I Just Introduced My Daughter’s Girlfriend to My Family, will address evolving family dynamics and societal acceptance.
A key component of the project is a new online platform launching on Feb. 11. This chat-based system will provide 2SLGBTQ+ seniors with a space to connect, share experiences, and reduce social isolation. “The goal is to ensure elders are not left isolated, whether socially or physically,” Beaudoin explained. “This platform offers a way for them to engage with others in a meaningful way.”
The initiative has been described as a rare resource outside major urban centres. Roch, a member of the GRIS Estrie senior committee, emphasized the importance of connection for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals in rural areas. “Aging in a rural area as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans person can lead to significant isolation and loneliness,” Roch said in a related release. “The site offers an opportunity to break that isolation, gain information, and share experiences.”
The project is supported by funding from the Québec Ami des Aînés (QADA) program, along with contributions from research and advocacy organizations, including the Chair of Research on Elder Abuse, DIRA-Estrie, and the City of Sherbrooke. These partners bring expertise in elder care and inclusion, strengthening the initiative’s reach and impact.
A regional tour will introduce the platform and project to communities in Sherbrooke, Lac-Mégantic, Val-des-Sources, Coaticook, and Granby throughout February and March. GRIS Estrie invites 2SLGBTQ+ seniors, their families, and professionals working with aging populations to participate in launch events, which will include a site demonstration, a meal, and interactive workshops.
More information is available at reseauainediversite.org.