"Protect Y(OUR) Future"
It isn't just a theme—it’s a commitment we’re making to one another.
And it’s a promise we can only fulfill together.
LGBTQ+ elders in our region finally have a place where we’re seen, valued, and never have to face life alone. It’s something so many of us dreamed about and fought hard to make happen.
Now, the rights, safety, community, and joy we’ve worked so hard to secure are under threat once again—and in ways we’ve never faced before.
REAL IMPACT
These accomplishments are proof that when we come together, we create real change. We intend to double our pool of volunteers and the number of people we serve in 2025.
Protect Y(our) Future: Leo Egashira's Perspective
by Laney Williams
“GenPride is building community among often-isolated older LGBTQ people through its events, both in-person and virtually. . "
Protecting Y(our) Future: Leo Egashira’s Perspective
by Laney Williams (She/They)
Leo Egashira, one of GenPride’s original board members, has been instrumental in visioning and forming what GenPride is today. Not only did Leo receive an award at GenPride’s 2024 Pillars of Pride for his transformational work in developing GenPride but he stays very connected to the GenPride’s LGBTQ+ senior community by regularly attending hot lunches and BIPOC Lunches.
We reached out to Leo and he shared his insight. The recent election results have caused concern for all of us and Leo sees the work ahead.
“The current political climate is really detrimental to all LGBTQ folks, but especially our Transgender siblings. We need to continue to raise our voices to protect and expand rights for all.”
That sense of responsibility to protect all members of our diverse community is particularly essential now. Difficult times can be an opportunity to come together in support for our most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Leo does feel a sense of optimism for the political future. “Anti-Trump political forces have an opportunity to take back the U.S. House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.”
And indeed the pendulum may swing back to a more progressive Congress after two years. In the meantime, concern for our rights as LGBTQ+ people can cause fear and isolation as well as possible depression and emotional fatigue. GenPride is a place of refuge and more. Leo says, “This community gives me people to celebrate happy occasions with and people to lend a sympathetic ear in difficult times.”
Now, more than ever, Leo and other community members like him find the value of GenPride to be vital. “GenPride is building community among often-isolated older LGBTQ people through its events, both in-person and virtually. That building of community allows each of us to support others and feel supported by others.”
Protect Y(our) Future: Angie Salazar's Perspective
by Laney Williams
“ ..before joining GenPride I had a difficult time finding queer people in my age group. I’m much more hopeful about my life and feel optimistic about the future now.”
Protecting Y(our) Future: Angie Salazar's Perspective
by Laney Williams (She/They)
GenPride’s philosophy of LGBTQ+ elders deserving a safe and inspiring place to age surrounded by community is a belief which holds deep meaning for our members. Angie had been volunteering at the LGBTQ Center and Peer Seattle and we are thankful she also found her way to GenPride. She came to Seattle by way of Wisconsin where she was the victim of trans and racial hate crimes. Angie is grateful to Peer Seattle for their kindness in helping her overcome the resulting depression and we are so fortunate that Peer Seattle was her path to finding GenPride.
“Giving members the opportunity to meet and spend time together relieves a lot of the loneliness felt by all seniors, particularly LGBTQIA+. In my case, before joining GenPride I had a difficult time finding queer people in my age group. I’m much more hopeful about my life and feel optimistic about the future now.”
Recent events have given us cause to fear for our future, though. Our rights and safety may be at stake, making places like GenPride even more important for us. Angie knows from personal experience:
“I’m concerned about senior citizen government programs changing. I’m afraid bad actors will feel empowered to attack LGBTQ+ people. I’m reminded of when white supremacist groups came into the cities from the rural areas to attack minority and LGBTQ+ people. I was attacked, myself.”
GenPride strengthens our lives and can hold us together, allowing LGBTQ+ seniors to truly be ourselves, which is essential, now more than ever. Angie has found refuge and purpose in Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community and has blossomed here, living in gratitude and spreading the love to others.
“GenPride enhances my life by giving me opportunities and events to beautify myself … dressing up makes me feel beautiful, and happy… and I love serving people. I love greeting people. I love smiling at people. I love loving people. That's my whole thing… I love helping people. I just try to make people's day a little bit better.”
Protecting Angie’s and others’ rights to be fully realized and be fully true to themselves is what GenPride is all about. We have a challenging time coming up and, with your help, we will stand strong in our commitment to serve our community of LGBTQ+ elders.
Protect Y(our) Future: Lane Lucht's Perspective
by Laney Williams
“GenPride provides a safe, welcoming place for me and others to be together.. "
Protecting Y(our) Future: Lane Lucht's Perspective
by Laney Williams (She/They)
With your help we’ve accomplished so much in 2024 and with your continued support, 2025 will see an expansion of our programs and the number of LGBTQ+ elders we serve. GenPride is truly a second home for our members, providing vital connections and community. We reached out to long-time member and volunteer Lane Lucht for his perspective.
“GenPride provides a safe, welcoming place for me and others to be together. Helping out with the community dining program allows me to continue networking, despite the communication challenges due to my being deaf. I also participate in on-site yoga and ballet for balance classes, a way of taking better care of my body. I’m getting to know people better and forming a new logical family. This is so important to me as a single gay elderly man with no children, largely estranged from my biological family.”
Looking ahead to 2025 it is vital that GenPride continues to provide support and a sense of belonging to our LGBTQ+ elders. Lane knows there are more challenges coming to the community.
“Though I live in a vibrant gayborhood in a progressive city and state, I am not shielded from the anti-LGBTQ+ hate and rhetoric. I feel anxious that all the progress we have made during my lifetime may be undone. I do not like the vitriol directed against the trans community. I worry that all the bombastic talk about doing away with this or that on the federal level could lead to disastrous results that could affect my ability to have a roof over my head, be safe and warm, be well-fed and be healthy.”
Like all of our members, Lane realizes the value of the GenPride community and how important it is to take care of each other. He knows the value of being a volunteer here and how it can positively impact other members.
“Being a lunchtime volunteer at the community dining program in partnership with Sound Generations is an opportunity, with each meal, to get to know a person or two a little better. I may introduce them to each other. Thus relationships form. All I can do is continue being who I am and taking care of myself and others, too. My spirit remains fierce!”
JOIN THE SILVER CIRCLE
Join the movement! Be one of 100 new Silver Circle members giving $25 or more monthly, or one of 10 generous supporters donating $1,000 today. Together, we’ll make a lasting impact for LGBTQ+ elders.
Be Part of The Movement & Join The Silver Circle Today!
Make A One-Time Donation
Let’s get real—raising $20,000 by year’s end isn’t optional; it’s critical. Your gift powers our twice-weekly hot meals program, serving 100 LGBTQ+ elders every week with food, connection, and a reason to show up. It also fuels our Elder-to-Elder Volunteer Program, where LGBTQ+ seniors step into leadership, sharing their talents and passions to make GenPride’s programs truly shine.
Every dollar is a statement: we care, we see you, and we’ve got you. Let’s make it happen together—are you in?
PROTECT
YOUR
FUTURE
If you believe no LGBTQ+ elder should face aging alone or in fear, now is the time to invest in GenPride’s mission. Nearly half of our budget relies on vulnerable federal funding, but your gift will help us continue two vital programs.
