Resources
Know your rights, schedule appointments or become informed. Check out this list of organizations that aim to help our community and a recording of Bridging the Gap Summit - Aging LGBTQIA Community In Southern Illinois
Organizations
EQUALITY
ILLINOIS
Equality Illinois was founded in 1991 to work towards a better Illinois by advancing equal treatment and social justice through education, advocacy, and protection of the rights of the LGBT community.
EGYPTIAN
AREA
AGENCY ON AGING
We help seniors in Southern Illinois stay independent. Our agency provides community programs and resources on health and financial assistance. We offer caregivers free training and resources.
SAGE
Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders is America's oldest and largest non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults, focusing on the issue of LGBT aging. Talk and be heard at the SAGE LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline. We connect LGBTQ+ older people who want to talk with friendly responders who are ready to listen. If you are an LGBTQ+ elder or care for one, call the free SAGE Hotline, toll-free at 877-360-LGBT(5248).
JACKSON
COUNTY
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Jackson County Health Department serves all Jackson County residents and offers services specifically for HIV+ individuals. Sexual health clinics and STD testing are also available through appointment. Visit us online or call to set up an appointment.
PRIDE
ACTION TANK
Pride Action Tank is a results-driven group that addresses challenges facing individuals and groups within LGBTQ+ communities through a collaborative process of inquiry, advocacy, and action. The work of Pride Action Tank focuses on six overlapping issue areas: housing, health, safety, financial security, youth, and aging.
AARP
ILLINOIS
With offices in both Springfield and Chicago Illinois, AARP Illinois team members specialize in issue areas that span across all regions of Illinois in order to cover the varied needs and locations of our 1.7 million members and all older adults in the state.
AARP Illinois team members advocate on behalf of our 1.7 million members and all people 50+ in Illinois on critical issues, such as longterm care, healthcare, caregiving, financial security, consumer protections, affordable utility services, and livable communities.
SHAWNEE
HEALTH CARE
Shawnee Health Care aims to create an atmosphere that is welcoming and accepting of individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We believe that when individuals feel accepted and supported, they will lead longer, healthier, happier lives.
SIU
SCHOOL OF LAW
The Civil Practice/Elderly Clinic provides a broad range of civil legal services to those 60 and over. Some of the services offered include estate planning, drafting wills and powers of attorney, obtaining guardianships for disabled adults and minor children, advocating for victims of elder abuse and representing clients with credit problems.
RAINBOW
CAFE
Rainbow Cafe has served the queer community in Southern Illinois for over 20 years, providing a safe and welcoming environment for those who are lesbian, gay bisexual, trans/gender expansive, queer, intersex, asexual, or questioning their orientation and/or gender identity, and their friends and family, by creating a space in which they are affirmed and offered non-judgmental support and access to personal, community, spiritual, and health resources.
Bridging the Gap Summit
Aging LGBTQIA Community In Southern Illinois
Bridging the Gap for the Aging LGBTQ Community In Southern Illinois Part I
Bridging the Gap for the Aging LGBTQ Community In Southern Illinois Part II
GRIS
SUMMIT FINDINGS
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Do you have a specific policy for the aging LGBTQ and those Aging with HIV in Southern Illinois?
No specific policy is directly related to the aging LGBTQ & those Aging with HIV.
One agency had a policy but none of the other agencies had a specific policy when it comes to the Aging LGBTQ and those Aging with HIV.
If you have a policy, can you think of ways to improve upon these policies?
Except for one agency, none had a specific policy to improve upon.
How can these policies be filtered down to frontline staff?
Training, Education, Diversity, and inclusion, Taskforce, Cultural Competency Training, Inclusiveness, Create a safe environment to ask questions about policy. Taking staff feedback into account to change policy. Listen to the voices of customers and staff!!!!!
Require detailed learning and continue said learning.
Use various communication platforms and delivery materials.
Leadership should demonstrate our goal which is safe space and strategies and develop a cheat sheet of accurate LGBTQIA + language.
Would your agency be open to receiving Cultural Competency Training on LGBTQ + and those Aging with HIV?
There was no group that did not want to receive Cultural Competency Training.
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This survey was regarding your organization’s policy and practice in regard to elder LGBTQ+ individuals and those aging with HIV. The scope of this survey includes organizational management, employees, providers, patients, and residents (LTC community). Answer Choices: Yes, No, Do not know
Does your organization have;
A non-discriminatory policy regarding practice?
Yes - 88%
No - 12%
A non-discriminatory policy regarding employment?
Yes - 98%
No - 2%
A welcoming environment for all walks of life?
Yes - 93%
No - 7%
Regular training on HIV that is medically sound?
Yes - 55%
No - 45%
Regular training that supports LGBTQ+ equality
Yes - 67%
No - 22%
Do Not Know - 11%
A policy supporting self-identifying pronouns?
Yes - 56%
No - 26%
Do Not Know - 18%
Please note additional LGBTQ+ policies or your thoughts here:
We need in-person training
Individuals in my organization are very willing to learn. We achieved a satisfactory rating from the Human Rights Campaign annual corporate workplace survey.
I’m not sure if specific policies are in place, but these subjects are addressed by the agency.
The dress code was recently updated to allow for additional inclusive freedoms of staff.
No policies related to transgender that we know of, reviewing SOGI minutes for ideas/recommendations for moving forward.
I do not like to say unless I’m confident, but I think these issues should be addressed in policy.
