Skyline Room, 4th floor

Join us in the Skyline Room for a panel discussion: 'How to Be the Best Ally: Building Bridges, Building Community.’  The key qualities of an ally are the desire to learn and understand and to help LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc.) people feel supported and included and to address barriers to fairness and justice for everyone.

This is the first community meeting held by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging  LGBTQ+ Advisory Council, formulated in 2024, and it promises to be an afternoon of enlightening conversation, exhibitors, and light refreshments. 

Our panel will consist of :

• Jack Eilber is the Deputy Communications Director for the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. He also serves as the Department's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion coordinator and represents PDA on the Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion Interagency Workgroup, which is led by the Office of Administration. Jack also represents PDA, the Department of Health's HIV Planning Group, the Governor's Commission on LGBTQ Affairs Aging Workgroup, and the LGBTQ+ Older Adult Advocacy Team based out of Allegheny County.

• Southwest Senior Center Director Paulette Cunningham, a steadfast ally of this community, who will discuss her ongoing efforts to provide support, raise awareness, and foster greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ seniors at Southwest and beyond. 
• Gary Hines from the Gary Hines Consulting Group, LLC, an activist and advocate for LGBTQ+ issues. He has served on the boards of the William Way Community Center, Men of All Colors Together, and Liberty City Democrats. Hines has also been involved with the Colours Organization, Philly Black Gay Pride, and the Mayor’s Commission for African American Males. 
• Rabbi Erica Steelman, healthcare chaplain, educator, and consultant, join us on the panel as well. Rabbi Erica has over 13 years of experience providing direct spiritual care to members of a skilled nursing community. In addition, Rabbi Erica has been an advocate and innovator for LGBTQ+ inclusion, developing and sharing resources and educating healthcare clinicians, students, educators, and administrators. 

• Tom McCauley resides at the John C. Anderson LGBT Friendly Apartment in Philadelphia. Tom, a hair stylist and retired actor, is always on the move, heading to the gym, getting together with friends, and attending most of our events and activities. He'll discuss how feeling safe and welcomed where you live is a vital part of healthy aging, and that being an ally is respecting and honoring people who may not be like you and advocating for you when others may not.   

The panel will be rounded out with LGBTQ+ seniors who will share their stories of resilience. 

It’s very likely that you know someone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community, as there are nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians identifying as such. We’ll share stories of resilience and provide educational information about allyship, along with new tools you can use to connect with and build bridges within this community. 

Registration encouraged but not required. 

PLEASE REGISTER BY APRIL 24TH BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO 

COMMUNITY.RELATIONSRSVP@PCACARES.ORG or CALL 215-765-9000 EXT. 4470