Across the United States and abroad, June is hailed as Pride Month, when LGBTQ+ folks gather and celebrate with their friends, families and communities.

Though the experience of queerness isn’t limited to a particular age group, weather and other logistics can pose a barrier or deterrent to older adults looking to participate. Even if these celebrations are advertised to people of all ages, it might not be comfortable for all to attend because of loud noise, uncomfortable weather and physical activity. Enter a joyful, air-conditioned solution: Silver Pride.

In January 2023, Jenny Macias, the director of program initiatives for Senior Friendship Centers, a nonprofit for older adults, was introduced to Jason Champion, president of Project Pride SRQ, a nonprofit serving the LGBTQ+ community of Sarasota, Florida. When Champion and his team were brainstorming events that catered specifically to Sarasota’s demographic, Macias suggested something like the “resource fairs” at Senior Friendship Centers that had garnered positive reviews and good turnouts. Together, the two organizations began to shape Sarasota’s first Silver Pride, for the summer of 2023.

This year, the number of Silver Pride celebrations continues to grow. Minnesota, California, Florida and Washington, D.C., (the host of WorldPride) held Silver Pride events for LGBTQ+ older adults in their communities. In 2024, Los Angeles held a Senior Prom, which gave LGBTQ+ community members the opportunity to “redo” their own prom or “go with their chosen partners,” which they might not have been able to do as adolescents.

For Sarasota’s third year, the hosts pulled out all the stops. On the first Saturday in June, older adults lined up at Sarasota Senior Friendship Centers to show their IDs to the Silver Pride “bouncer.”

After their legal drinking age was noted, older adults filtered into the venue. From there, people were free to explore more than 50 vendor booths featuring local businesses, snacks and entertainment. By design, the event was structured to meet the diverse needs and desires of older people at Pride, with vendors catering to health and estate planning. Attendees could mingle with old and new friends, enjoy the live music or enter raffles. Food, dancing and even rides on the historic Sarasota trolley kept the energy up all afternoon.

Beyond the social or celebratory elements, Sarasota’s Silver Pride is a true resource hub. “We’ve designed the event to be both fun and functional,” say Brittany Jennings and Crystal Whitley, the owners and founders of Golden Girls Solutions, one of the sponsors. The participating organizations offer “information on housing, health care, aging services, caregiving, legal planning and more.” 

Even if the recreational aspects of Silver Pride motivated folks to make an appearance, “[it] is usually a stepping stone for folks to attend other great events and programming,” says Harry Cicchetti, 65, a board member for Project Pride and a longtime LGBTQ+ advocate.

One of the standout aspects of Sarasota’s Silver Pride is the recognition of “legacy couples.” Each year, couples who have been together five, 10, 15, 20 and 30-plus years are called to the dance floor to be recognized. Last year, couples together for 20 to 30-plus years made up the largest group, says Macias.

Cynthia, 76, and Patricia, 80, Hebert, a legacy couple of 30 years, attended Silver Pride to be with the community. “We just got excited about being around a lot of people,” says Cynthia. “We wanted to come out and celebrate, celebrate people who were like us.”

The successes of Silver Pride are felt throughout the LGBTQ+ and older adult communities of Sarasota. Cicchetti finds the connections made from this event particularly touching: “Many folks come up to me and say they look forward to this event every year and would not miss it for the world.” He notes that people who have lost spouses are especially grateful for the opportunity to connect.

For Michael A. Cochrane, 73, a support group facilitator at Senior Friendship Centers who lost his husband in 2020, participating in Silver Pride provides a common bond. “It’s made me feel stronger, more confident and safer within my own community,” he says. “It reinforces the fact that I’m not alone.” 

For anyone nervous about attending their first Silver Pride, Cochrane says, “Stop listening to that little voice in your head that says it’s OK to stay on the couch binge-watching [streaming services], or that you’re too young to attend Silver Pride, or that you are not sure where you’ll park, or that you think you don’t know anyone there. Just go. You will have a great time. I promise.”

Sophia H. Moten is the assistant photo editor for AARP. In her personal practice, she makes long-form photo stories about community and identity. You can see her work at sophiahmphotos.com.