The Pennsylvania LGBTQ Aging Summit and Institute on HIV & Aging was held virtually on October 6-7, 2022. The virtual event provided a forum for LGBTQ older Pennsylvanians, aging services providers, healthcare professionals, community advocates, and other stakeholders to convene to explore issues affecting LGBTQ older adults in Pennsylvania. The Summit delivered information on supports and resources for LGBTQ older adults and how advocates, aging service providers, and allies can support and lift up LGBTQ communities. Day One of the Summit included remarks from Governor Wolf, a keynote address from Michael Adams (SAGE), a presentation on the results of the 2022 Pennsylvania LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment, a panel discussion on equity in aging, and breakout tracks devoted to provider training and exploration of community issues. Day Two of the Summit focused on HIV and aging in Pennsylvania, with content covering the latest research, legal issues, healthcare resources, and advocacy efforts to improve services and supports to older adults living with HIV.
The Summit was hosted by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Commission on LGBTQ Affairs. Planning partners included the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging, SAGE, AARP Pennsylvania, CARIE, LeadingAge PA, Trans Advocacy Pennsylvania, Alzheimer’s Association of Pennsylvania, Elder Initiative at William Way LGBT Community Center, Persad Center, LGBT Center of Central PA, LGBT Center of Greater Reading, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, SEIU, Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Montgomery County Office of Senior Services, Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging, and Union-Snyder Area Agency on Aging.
If you missed any part of the Summit, you can access all of the recordings below. The videos are broken into 1-2 hour segments.
Day 1, Part 1
-Opening Remarks – Secretary Torres, PA Department of Aging
-Opening Remarks – Rafael Alvarez Febo, PA Commission on LGBTQ Affairs
-Opening Remarks – Governor Wolf
-Keynote – Michael Adams, SAGE
-Presentation on the 2022 PA LGBTQ Health Needs Assessment – Christina Graham, Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
Day 1, Part 2:
-LGBTQ Elder Equity Panel – Rafael Alvarez Febo, PA Commission on LGBTQ Affairs; John-Paul Hayworth, AARP; Stacey Waters, PA Human Relations Commission; Katharine Dalke, Penn State College of Medicine; Henry Sias, Employment and Civil Rights Lawyer
Day 1, Part 3:
-Supporting Transgender Older Adults – Loree Cook-Daniels, FORGE
-Supportive Communities for LGBTQ+/SGL Older Adults of Color – Dr. Imani Woody, Mary’s House for Older Adults
Day 1, Part 4:
-LGBTQ Aging Advocacy: Fostering Connections Through Storytelling – Emma Bessire, SAGE
-Caregiving in LGBTQ Communities: Education and Resources – Sherrill Wayland, SAGE
Day 2, Part 1:
-Pre-Conference Healthy Aging Chat – Dr. Denise Johnson, PA Acting Secretary of Health and Physician General
-Welcoming Remarks – Secretary Torres, PA Department of Aging
-Welcoming Remarks – Waheedah Shabbaz-El, Philadelphia FIGHT
-Community Perspectives Panel – Heshie Zinman, Barbara McLean, Don Stroz, Paul Kabera, Sheena Langhorne
Day 2, Part 2:
-Research Trends in HIV & Aging – Dr. Mark Brennan-Ing, Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging
-Legal Landscape of HIV in Pennsylvania – Ronda Goldfein, AIDS Law Project of Pennsylvania
Day 2, Part 3
-Healthcare Panel – Michelle Troxell, Positive Women’s Network; Tom Snedden, PA Department of Aging
Additional Handouts & Resources:
2022 LGBTQ Aging Summit Resources Guide
Supporting Transgender Older Adults – Loree Cook-Daniels – PowerPoint
Caregiving in LGBTQ Communities, Education, & Resources – Sherrill Wayland – PowerPoint
Research Trends in HIV & Aging – Mark Brennan-Ing, Ph.D. – PowerPoint