Every senior is different, and difference is something to celebrate

At CARP, we know that no two older adults are the same (despite governments’ attempts to place them in one neat and tidy little box). Our Members come in all shapes, sizes and colours, with unique backgrounds and lived experiences—a fact that we celebrate alongside them as we bring their voices forward on the issues they care about.

June is Pride Month in Canada and we’re proud to stand by LGBTQ2+ older adults across Canada. We know that seniors in this community are at even higher risk than their peers of experiencing social isolation due to discrimination, and often suffer abuse in care homes because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We value our LGBTQ2+ Members and promise to represent them as best we can as Canada’s loudest voice for seniors.

As we look forward to a very unusual summer in the pervading company of COVID-19, it’s important to remember that being “different” is cause for celebration. To all of our Black, LGBTQ2+, Indigenous, and newcomer seniors, and older people of colour in our communities, we celebrate you and will continue to fight for your right to age with the dignity and respect you deserve.

Yours sincerely,

- Marissa Lennox, Chief Policy Officer