Description of Community
The Live Older Visibly and Engaged (LOVE) project aims to transform the lives of LGBTQ+ communities. The LOVE project is an initiative by ACON designed to empower aging lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and queer communities, as well as individuals living with HIV, to have normal and meaningful social lives (ACON, 2019, p. 16). Elderly LGBTQIA+ individuals are more susceptible to health and social disparities due to the unique pressures associated with their minority status (Pereira & Banerjee, 2021, p. 1). This is because they are often the target of double discrimination on account of their LGBTQ+ status as well as their age (Pereira & Banerjee, 2021, p. 1).
Older LGBTQIA+ individuals were brought up in a society that perceived their gender identities as mental diseases and their sexual behavior as sinful or criminal in many regions of the world (Pereira & Banerjee, 2021, p. 1). The fact that the solely recognized gender identities were heterosexual and cisgender meant that LGBTQIA+ individuals were ostracized, discriminated against, and rendered invisible (Pereira & Banerjee, 2021, p. 1). Many of the highlighted challenges are prevalent as the aforementioned individuals age.
The LOVE project intends to address the specific challenges LGBTQA+ individuals face as they age within their communities. Elderly LGBTQ+ persons are more likely than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts to experience social isolation due to differences in housing, employment, and access to health services (Turesky, 2022, p. 67). In addition, LGBTQ + older persons are more likely to be disabled, homeless, socially isolated, depressed, impoverished, dependent on alcohol, have inadequate housing, and get institutionalized sooner than non-LGBTQ + older adults (Turesky, 2022, p. 67). There is a need to implement targeted social and institutional programs to effectively address the unique needs of individuals in the highlighted community.
Critical Analysis of the CD Approaches Utilized in the Project
The LOVE project applies specific community development approaches in the achievement of its objectives. Some of the initiative’s strengths lie in the effective utilization of core approaches. There is evidence to suggest that the parent organization uses a bottom-up approach to address the target issues. For instance, the project implements measures to ensure that each member of the target community is actively involved in the organization’s work (ACON, 2019, p. 22). The decisions are made by the leadership in collaboration with the LGBTQ+ community.
The LOVE project actively amplifies the voices of the people it serves to ensure adequate collaboration with decision-makers (ACON, 2019, p. 24). This means that the decisions are not left solely to the leadership. To this end, ACON strives to prioritize meaningful involvement in people’s lives by ensuring that all their concerns are shared with decision-makers and the community (ACON, 2019, p. 24). Meaningful inclusion and support are the initiative’s essential pillars.
The LOVE project’s prioritization of individual participation is a major strength and a key factor in its success. The participation processes in the LOVE project are meaningful and not tokenistic. This is because stakeholder inclusion is prioritized in community development practices under the wide umbrella of “participatory design” (Poiner & Drake, 2021, p. 2). This approach defines the community’s needs, contextualizes the target issues, and distributes authority among stakeholders (Poiner & Drake, 2021, p. 2).
A participatory approach is highly effective because it involves the end user in decision-making, increasing the likelihood that the user and the design outcome will be congruent. This is particularly important because older LGBTQ+ individuals commonly describe losing kinship ties as a result of rejection and estrangement from their families (Hurd & Li, 2023, p. 2). Additionally, compared to their heterosexual counterparts, they rely more on their friends than their biological relations for support, and they often express anxiety that their deteriorating health may worsen their social isolation (Hurd & Li, 2023, p. 2). The prioritization of involvement means that affected individuals can re-establish lost communal ties and lead meaningful social lives.
There are, however, some weaknesses with the approaches applied in the LOVE project. Participation in community development may represent a dictatorial process because it can conceal and uphold different facets of power that lie beneath the rhetoric and participation processes (Kamruzzaman, 2020, p. 34). Firstly, the predominance of multinational agencies reveals a dictatorial approach to decision-making underlying the rhetoric and actions of participation (Kamruzzaman, 2020, p. 34). Even though ACON notes that individuals are involved in decision-making, no clear strategies or mechanics are outlined.
Secondly, tyranny at the group level occurs when participation practices mask several constraints and, occasionally, help preserve and exacerbate regional power disparities (Kamruzzaman, 2020, p. 34). The participatory measures applied in the project do not address the community’s prejudice towards older LGBTQ+ individuals. Finally, methodological tyranny often exposes the prevalence of participatory approaches and their broad support, even in instances where there is little room for substantive engagement (Kamruzzaman, 2020, p. 34). The LOVE project’s inclusion of HIV-positive individuals in the treatment of the illness is unclear.
Proposed Way of Working with This Community in the Future
The LOVE project’s prioritization of participation has significantly improved the extent to which it addresses the needs of the older LGBTQ+ community. By transferring power, participation allows persons who have been left out of political, social, and economic systems to be consciously included (Kamruzzaman, 2020, p. 35). There are, however, specific community self-determination measures that can be implemented to increase the strategy’s effectiveness.
For instance, engagement in the planning of pride parades and other events allows older members of the LGBTQ+ community to establish relationships with LGBTQ+ groups at both internal and external levels (Hess & Bitterman, 2023, p. 236). Engaging in LGBTQ+ activities, such as gay pride parades, can improve people’s lives by fostering a sense of connection to the community (Hess & Bitterman, 2023, p. 237). It should be noted that less internalized heterosexism is often experienced in scenarios where LGBTQ+ community members engage in activities (Hess & Bitterman, 2023, p. 237). Prioritizing external activities for affected individuals is essential.
While the LOVE project has made significant strides to address the disparities that LGBTQ+ community members face, it is important to address the issues from a societal perspective through the community development principle of social justice. Legal, lobbying, and advocacy services help LGBTQ+ people in their continuous struggle for civil rights by expanding their access to legal counsel (Hess & Bitterman, 2023, p. 242). Such services provide essential support in cases involving discrimination and civil rights in the fight for justice and equality.
The LGBTQ+ community needs unwavering support in the areas of affordable housing, marriage equality, adoption, and job discrimination (Hess & Bitterman, 2023, p. 242). The highlighted issues have a significant impact on their mental health and overall well-being. It is also essential to help financially challenged individuals in need of pro bono legal services. Working to support LGBTQ+ people on a larger scale by influencing legislation and policy is crucial (Hess & Bitterman, 2023, p. 242). The hard-won equality for LGBTQ+ people ought to be preserved as a means to limit the deleterious health consequences of discrimination.
Biases in human decision-making have contributed significantly to the discrimination that plagues the LGBTQ+ community. The nature of the struggle is best explicated by queer theory, which comprises at least three interrelated notions first introduced by Teresa de Lauretis in 1991 (McAra-Hunter, 2024, p. 3). They are the rejection of the idea that lesbian and gay studies constitute a singular field of study and the opposition of heterosexuality as the default state of sexuality (McAra-Hunter, 2024, p. 3).
The final concept is the recognition and subsequent concentration of the relationship between racism and sexism (McAra-Hunter, 2024, p. 3). Queer theory provides a basis upon which numerous criticisms can be assessed, which makes it possible to reevaluate sexuality and gender in ways that go beyond conventional standards. The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) is likely to address the highlighted biases and facilitate the adoption of queer theory’s tenets to address the challenges older LGBTQ+ individuals face.
The inclusion of AI in the LOVE project’s activities could significantly improve efficiency and contextualize the challenges the focus population faces. The principle of empowerment is the basis for applying AI in the target community. The LGBTQ community stands to benefit from the most recent developments in AI through easily available, equitable, and inclusive support, as well as safe venues where people can seek guidance and information without being judged (Bragazzi et al., 2023, p. 3). Chatbots reveal an astonishing ability to address the complexities that surround gender and its contextualization (Edwards et al., 2021, p. 2).
LGBTQ people may find it difficult to disclose private information to others due to privacy concerns. As a result, they may be reluctant to seek help for fear of stigma, prejudice, or a lack of understanding from others (Bragazzi et al., 2023, p.3). Chatbots and AI-driven platforms provide a degree of anonymity, enabling people to discuss touchy subjects without disclosing their identities (Bragazzi et al., 2023, p. 3). This can be especially helpful for people who live in less tolerant surroundings.
Conclusion and Critical Reflection
The lessons in the assessment of the above-mentioned community development project have numerous applications in my personal life. For instance, the queer theory’s destabilization of the conceptualization of heterosexuality as normal has an immense impact on my belief system and practices. I no longer view sexual orientation as a rigid framework that is defined by a predetermined set of rules. The intersection of racism, colonialism, and sexism, as encapsulated in queer theory, has broadened my appreciation of diversity. I am more accepting of people who identify as LGBTQA+, and I have become a fierce advocate for the observance of their rights in work and social environments.
The participatory community development model has played a critical role in enhancing my advocacy activities. Members of the LGBTQ+ community must be accorded the opportunity to engage in communal activities as a means of dispelling assumptions and prejudicial ideas directed toward them. I have since been actively involved in organizing pride marches to educate the community and involve LGBTQ+ individuals in the fight for equality.
The observation of human rights, the prioritization of empowerment, and the preservation of social justice are key to the success of community development initiatives. Marginalized communities often have to deal with a variety of challenges, such as limited access to healthcare, legal representation, or employment opportunities. My renewed understanding of the importance of the aforementioned principles has resulted in significant changes in my attitude toward marginalized communities.
I have developed a deeper appreciation of the systemic elements that promote discrimination. I volunteer in cleanup drives, gay parades, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and in elderly care facilities. The lessons I have learned have fueled my active engagement in movements promoting equality both at work and in the community.
References
ACON. (2019). ACON Strategic Plan 2019 – 2022.
Bragazzi, N. L., Crapanzano, A., Converti, M., Zerbetto, R., & Khamisy-Farah, R. (2023). The impact of generative conversational artificial intelligence on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25(1), 1–19.
Edwards, J., Clark, L., & Perrone, A. (2021). LGBTQ-AI? Exploring expressions of gender and sexual orientation in chatbots. ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 1–4.
Hess, D. B., & Bitterman, A. (2023). Community support organizations in gay neighborhoods: Assessing engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Urban Planning, 8(2), 235–248.
Hurd, L., & Li, L. Y. K. (2023). “I want to grow older with dignity“: Older LGBTQ+ Canadian adults’ perceptions and experiences of aging. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 0(0), 1–14.
Kamruzzaman, P. (2020). Exploring the nexus between participation and empowerment. Journal of Development Policy and Practice, 5(1), 32–53.
McAra-Hunter, D. (2024). How AI hype impacts the LGBTQ + community. AI and Ethics, 1–20.
Pereira, H., & Banerjee, D. (2021). Successful aging among older LGBTQIA+ people: Future research and implications. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 1–7.
Poiner, H., & Drake, C. (2021). Transformative or tokenistic? Exploring the legitimacy of participatory design methods within an Indigenous context. M/C Journal, 24(4), 1-21.
Turesky, M. (2022). Aging back into the closet: Community planning for older LGBTQ + adults. Journal of Planning Literature, 37(1), 67–82.