Felicia says there’s something funny about volunteering to work on the openhouse Cultural Sensitivity Trainings.  Though she signed up nearly five years ago to be a contributor to a service program she views as vital to changing attitudes among providers of senior services at area organizations, she’s discovered that’s she’s gained far more than she’s given.

“The greatest contribution they’ve made to me is giving me the opportunity to talk about my life,” says Felicia.  “It’s made me feel so much better about myself and helped me to remember the many good things that have happened, as well as the bad, but it’s a little like therapy: I just feel so good about my life after talking about it to others!”

Felicia joins other LGBT seniors (she represents the “T” in LGBT) in panel discussions in which openhouse volunteers speak candidly about theirs lives, their current needs and their concerns about discrimination.  It’s just one of the many services openhouse provides to ensure LGBT older adults get the full range of services they deserve in safe, secure and welcoming environments.

“While you can’t change lives and attitudes in a single hour, we make an impact.,” says Felicia.  “Maybe they think twice when that lesbian who walks through their door and needs help; maybe because of our education they’re more sensitive or respectful.  We’re not only training the providers we are also speaking to residents, and maybe they’ll be more sensitive to the people around them and not make assumptions.”

In addition to trainings, openhouse has developed a comprehensive curriculum, which is being used in State-mandated trainings in counties throughout California to ensure area senior service providers are considering and responding to the needs of their LGBT citizens.  But it’s people like Felicia who often make the biggest impact.

“When I’ve gone back to places where I’ve spoken, they react to me differently than from the first time they met me.  Now they know me.  Now I’m not scary or unfamiliar or not understandable.  I’m a person they know.”