Elder Initiative Resources

A smile is often the first thing we notice when meeting someone new. Beyond boosting our confidence and self-esteem, a healthy mouth plays a vital role in supporting overall health and well-being. Poor oral health is linked to a range of negative health outcomes– from bad breath and gum disease to heart disease, lung disease, and stroke.

As we age, maintaining good oral health becomes even more important. Yet, it’s often overlooked– especially among elderly LGBTQ+ individuals, who may face lifelong barriers to care due to stigma, discrimination, and social isolation. These systemic inequities can lead to reduced access to dental services and worsened health outcomes.

So, what can you do to protect your oral health as you age? One of the most important habits is brushing and flossing twice daily. These simple practices help remove plaque and prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Regular dental visits are also essential. Professional cleanings and early detection prevent discomfort, tooth loss, and high treatment costs. If affordability is a concern, consider the dental and dental hygiene school clinics in the Philadelphia area or sliding‑scale community health centers.

Nutrition also plays a key role in oral health. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help prevent tooth decay. At the same time, limiting sugary and highly processed foods can significantly reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease.

Oral health is inseparable from overall health, and no one’s smile should fade because of age, stigma, or limited access to care. By establishing simple daily habits, selecting nourishing foods, and collaborating with dental professionals, elderly adults can protect their smiles and maintain their quality of life.

Penn Dental and Temple Dentistry provide most all dental services at a reduced rate.

https://www.dental.upenn.edu

https://dentistry.temple.edu/

For decades, the LGBTQ+ community has come together to create spaces that support and advocate for their wellbeing. Amidst the stigmatization, discrimination, and oppression, these spaces have always held significant importance as they provide LGBTQ+ people with the resources they need to thrive against daily political, socio-economic, and societal injustices that they face. Most notably, the stigma those within the LGBTQ+ community received during the HIV/AIDS epidemic as the government disregarded our community and refused to provide adequate aid to those impacted by HIV. Once again, we had to advocate for ourselves and fight for our right to life – not only is living an act of resistance in itself, but thriving as someone impacted by HIV is as well. 

Such an act requires recognition, and with that comes our program. Thrivers is a monthly discussion group for people impacted by HIV that relies on the personal expertise within our communities to help one another get the most out of life and to take advantage of the opportunities before us. Some of our previous discussion topics have been living pridefully with HIV, the impact of healthcare discrimination, and interpersonal effectiveness; moreover, we actively encourage participants’ agency within the group via always welcoming topic suggestions. Connecting with one another, sharing with one another, and supporting one another are all ways we can continue to enrich our lives as LGBTQ+ older adults. Community is what has always been at the root of safe, reliable spaces for our community, and Thrivers wants to be another space like that for you. Thrivers meets on the last Saturday of the month at noon!

Please contact us for more information via email at elders@waygay.org or giving us a call at 215-720-9415 and we would love for you to join us!

Our healthcare system is confusing, difficult, and time consuming to navigate, especially for LGBTQ+ people. Finding adequate healthcare providers, locating accurate information on living healthy lives, and being able to safely have open conversations about our health concerns can often be challenging. Having support on how to best get your health needs answered, as well as learn more information about your health, is a great resource for those of all ages that William Way hopes to provide! 

However, when it comes to the health needs of adults older than 50, it requires more specific attention, which is why the William Way Elder Initiative runs The Doctor Is In series. Through The Doctor Is In series, attendants can learn more about how to best address and care for their health needs with the help of Dr. Danielewicz, Director of Pride Care at the Jefferson Center for Healthy Aging. At noon, every second Wednesday of the month, Dr. Danielewicz and other guest speakers will be leading conversations on various health topics to better the public’s understanding of federal health programs, mitigate concerns about maintaining one’s health through the years, and answer questions that come with aging. 

On August 14th, 2024 at 12pm, we will be kicking off the series with conversation on Sexual Health and Wellness at the William Way LGBT Community Center, located at 1315 Spruce St (corner of Spruce St and Juniper St). The series is specifically centered around older LGBTQ+ adults, so you get to receive information and health + wellness support that is directly tailored to suit you! Some of our upcoming events will be on Medicare Navigation, Medication Management with a Geriatric Pharmacologist, Nutrition, Hospice + Palliative Care, and Mobility + Function with Occupational Therapist Doctoral Students.

Make sure to stay tuned and we hope to see you there!

December 1, 2023 marks 35 years of World AIDS Day. We have come a long way since 1988 in large thanks to community care and support networks, tireless advocacy, advancements in medicine and accessibility of treatment.

Many in our community have experienced tremendous, incomprehensible losses since the virus first reared its head in the early eighties. When we acknowledge the progress that has been made it is ever critical to remember the generation we lost; the dire complications from early medical interventions; the many who did not live long enough to see medicine for HIV.

It is also fundamental to recognize that HIV and AIDS have not been eradicated. That new cases of HIV are diagnosed every day despite the medical interventions like PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) available today.

The theme for World AIDS Day 2023 is Remember and Commit. As we remember the past four decades, we commit to honoring the memories of lost loved ones by ensuring we continue to care for ourselves and for one another. Through community support, advocacy, activism, and communication we can all strive to move towards a future where new cases of HIV are minimized and eliminated.

New HIV diagnoses are preventable when people have their basic needs met and when they can access care in free-of-cost or other low-barrier ways. Those with HIV also deserve quality, accessible care and support.

Here in Philadelphia, a number of resources are available such as free HIV testing, free HIV test kits, free PEP and PrEP, medical care, medical case management, counseling, support groups, and more.

Visit the links below to access these services and to learn more—

• Philadelphia Department of Public Health
https://phillykeeponloving.com/

• Mazzoni Center’s Washington West Project

https://www.mazzonicenter.org/testing-and-prevention/hiv-and-sti-testing

• Galaei – Prioritizing Our People (POP)

https://www.galaeiqtbipoc.org/pop/

• Philadelphia FIGHT Jonathan Lax Treatment Center

https://fight.org/programs/lax-center/

• Action Wellness
https://www.actionwellness.org/services

• Bebashi Transition to Hope

https://www.bebashi.org/

• Prevention Point

https://ppponline.org/

• Congreso’s Esfuerzo Program

https://www.congreso.net/health-safety/esfuerzo-hiv-services/

• Siloam Wellness

https://siloamwellness.org/

• William Way Center LGBTQ Elder Initiative Thrivers

https://elderinitiative.waygay.org/thrivers/

For additional resources, visit the Philadelphia Office of HIV Planning’s HIV Service Directory:
https://www.hivphilly.org/find-services/service-directory/

Happy Pride Month! Each June, our LGBTQ+ communities come together to celebrate our history, culture, and shared commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable world for LGBTQ+ people of all ages. We have compiled a list of free Pride events happening throughout the month of June in the Greater Philadelphia area. Whether you’re looking for parades, performances, protests, or parties, there are plenty of ways to join your community and show your PRIDE this month!

Parades/Events:

● June 2nd – Philadelphia Flag Raising: Join the Office of LGBT Affairs at City Hall on June 2nd from noon-1pm as they host their annual Flag Raising Event to kick off the start of pride in Philadelphia. This year’s theme for the event is “Celebrating our Communities” and to honor that theme there will be various speakers featuring a wide array of LGBTQ+ folks who will share the many ways pride can be celebrated.
● June 2nd – Drag Queen Story Time: A perfect event for you and young kiddos to attend, making it family friendly for all! Join Brittany Lynn on June 2nd from 11am-noon for drag story time at the Fishtown Community Library (third floor). Brittany Lynn will be reading stories about love, diversity, and acceptance. There is no registration required but space is limited.
● June 3rd – Pride Skate at City Hall: Come skate outside of City Hall on June 3rd from 6pm-8pm! The event will feature drag performer Dominique Lee and there will be music by DJ Albie.
● June 3rd – Inaugural Delaware County Pride Parade and Pride on State: Delaware County’s inaugural Pride parade kicks off at 12:00 on June 3rd. It will be a one-mile parade that goes down State Street. The procession is projected to be 90 minutes and will highlight local LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, music, and dance performances at multiple points on the procession route. After the procession is complete, local businesses along State Street will be hosting events for the LGBTQ+ community throughout the day. You can click here to find out more.
● June 3rd – The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Free Pride Concert at the Kimmel Center: On June 3rd at 7pm the Philadelphia Orchestra will be led by guest conductor Marin Alsop to celebrate LGBTQ+ composers and allies in their second-annual free Pride concert. The orchestra will also be joined by singers from Philadelphia Voices of Pride, ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir, and the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus. The event is free, but tickets are still required for entry to ensure each seat at the Kimmel Center, located at 300 S. Broad Street, is accounted for. Click here for tickets. They also will be hosting free entertainment before the show, which will include musical and drag performances, at 5pm in the Commonwealth Plaza.
● June 4th – Philly Pride 365: Galaei returns as the host of this year’s Pride events in Philadelphia on June 4 from 10:30am-7pm. Philly Pride 365 celebrates love, light, and liberation all year round. The day will start off with the Love, Light, and Liberation Pride March from Independence Mall, starting at 5th and Arch streets at 10:30am. Then, the Pride festival will be happening all afternoon in the Gayborhood, centered at 12th and Locust Streets. There will be numerous blocks that will feature food trucks, live performances, a relaxation zone, alcohol and tobacco free areas, a youth and family zone, and resources from different local LGBTQ+ groups. To learn more about this year’s festival, click here.
● June 5th-11th – Disability Pride: Disability Pride Week will be occurring June 5th-11th with various accessible activities and giveaways happening at various locations in the city. These acivities include a video scavenger hunt along the Delaware River Trail, a Disability
Pride Sensory Friendly Day at the National Constitution Center, a Disability Pride Parade and Festival, and so much more! To find a full play-by-play of what is happening during the week, click here. All events are free to attend, including pay-as-you-go food trucks!
● June 7th – Queer Quizzo: Hosted by Simone Allender on June 7th at 6pm, Queer Quizzo will take place on the 4th floor Skyline Room of the Parkway Central Library. This event will test your knowledge of LGBTQ+ figures, history, and more! While the event is free, registration is required. Click here to register!
● June 9th – Pride in the Park: Our friends at Center in the Park host their second annual Pride celebration on June 9th from 12-2:30. The event is planned be an LGBTQ Advisory Committee of senior center members and will include performances, live music, cold treats, resource tables, and giveaways! It will also be an opportunity to celebrate CIP’s LGBTQ members and the LGBTQ older adult communities of northwest Philadelphia. Center in the Park is located at 5818 Germantown Avenue.
● June 10th – Philly Pride Run at The Navy Yard: This year’s Pride Run is happening on Saturday, June 10th at 8:30am at The Navy Yard, located at 4701 Intrepid Avenue. There will be both a 5K race and a 1 Mile Fun Run. Prizes will be awarded to the top three male, female, non-binary, and wheelchair competitors. All proceeds will go to support The William Way LGBT Community Center. There is a fee to participate in the run, but spectators are welcome to come and cheer folks on for free! Community partners will also have tables at the event and there will be a pre- and post-race drag show! To learn more or to sign up to walk/run, click here.
● June 10th – QUEERAPALOOZA Block Party and Music Festival at Philly AIDS Thrift at Giovanni’s Room: Happening on from 12-5pm, come celebrate at the Giovanni’s Room block party. This block party will be featuring various performances from LGBTQ+ bands, DJs, and drag performers! There also will be local artists selling their artwork, vintage items, and books. This event will be taking place at Philly AIDS Thrift Giovanni’s Room, located at 345 S. 12th Street. Click here to learn more.
● June 10th – Delaware County Pride Festival 2023: This year’s Delco Pride will be happening in Upper Darby on June 10th from 1pm-6pm. This festival will feature a live DJ, face and nail painting, music, dancing, and more! This event is free to the public, but tickets are required. Click here to find tickets. The event takes place at the Upper Darby Municipal Building, located at 100 Garrett Road, Upper Darby PA 19082.
● June 10th – Chester County Pride Festival: Hosted by LGBT Equality Alliance of Chester County, this pride celebration will take place on June 10th from noon-5pm on Bridge Street in downtown Phoenixville. There will be food, vendors, games, music, entertainment, and activities. For more information on the day’s events, click here!
● June 17th – PrideTeenth, A Juneteenth Festival Centering Black LGBTQ+ Families: This festival will take place at Lovett Park on June 17th from noon-4pm. There will be free food, free raffle prizes, vendors, entertainment, resources tables, and more! This event will be tobacco-free centering Black LGBTQ+ families while celebrating freedom and pride. Click here to find more information!
● June 24th – Doylestown Pride Festival: This is the fourth year that Doylestown is hosting a Pride block party for Bucks County! The event takes place on June 24th from 11am-5pm between E. State Street and Pine Street. Additional Pride events will be hosted in Doylestown throughout the whole week of 17th-25th. Some highlights of the festivities include a pride music party on Pine Street on June 17th and special film screenings at County Theater on June 18th and 22nd. Click here to find the full agenda of what will be happening in Doylestown that week.
● June 24th – Pride at the Park: Lower Merion and Narberth are hosting a Pride celebration this year at Narberth Park on June 24th from noon-6pm. Their pride has been organized and created by local students and will feature pay-as-you-go food, live music, and local artists and vendors. Their goal is to create a welcoming, educational, youth-led celebration for the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. Click here for more information.
● June 24th – Bucks-Mont Pride Festival: SAGA Community Center is joining together Bucks and Montgomery Counties to celebrate Pride at the Abington Art Center on June 24th from noon-5pm. Festivities will be both outside and inside of the arts center featuring free performances from acrobats from Tangle Movement Arts, Positive Movement Drumline, and singers Deleqúa and Jakeya Limitless. The event will also feature pay-as-you go food trucks. To find out more about the day’s events, click here.
● June 25th – Trek Philadelphia Manayunk Pride Ride: Trek is hosting a Pride ride on June 25th that begins at 9:30am at AIM Academy in Conshohocken. You can bring yourself and your bike for this free casual cruise. There will also be swag, drinks, and food while supplies last. The event is free, but they do ask for folks to register. Click here to register and to find out more information about this event!

Tours and Exhibits:
● Pride Month at the National Constitution Center: The center will have daily Pride and Protest events throughout the month of June. These events aim to highlight the efforts made by activists and leaders who utilized their constitutional rights to assembly and speech to fight for LGBTQ+ rights in America. Click here to learn more about the events happening at the National Constitution Center throughout the month of June. They also have online resources available if you’re unable to make it to the National Constitution Center, which is located at 525 Arch St.
● LGBT Hall of Flags and Philly Gay Pride Flag Exhibit at Sofitel Philadelphia: For the whole month of June, the Sofitel Hotel will have locally made LGBTQ+ flags on display in their lobby. The lobby will be renamed Philadelphia’s LGBTQ Hall of Flags. The flags on display will be lesbian, gender fluid, pansexual, transgender, bisexual, and non-binary. For more information on this display, click here. The Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square is located at 120 S. 17th Street.