Erie LGBT+ Elders Observe National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day

By Pete Genco

May 16 was National Honor Our LGBT Elders Day. This year, Werner Books (3608 Liberty Street, Erie, PA) hosted a Sharing Session on May 16. Approximately 20 individuals gathered to share and listen to experiences some of our local elders lived through back in the day. We heard what people went through in the 1960s, 1970s, and beyond, including marches and protests, first gay bar experiences, being closeted, some being disowned by families, work life, early gender reassignment surgery, and more! Many of us, back then, were just trying to survive in a society that seemed to be against us. Most of us did not realize we were paving the way for the generations that followed. I, for one, am happy with what I fought for back then, and I am proud to be a "senior" in the LGBTQ+ Community!

About the Author

Pete

Pete G (he/him) volunteers with Erie Gay News as a way to give back to the community. Now retired, he enjoys having more time to devote to local LGBTQ+ organizations and events. Pete serves as the 2026 chair of Aging With Pride Erie and is active on several of the organization's committees. He also organizes Bears Do Dinner, a monthly dinner group that has been bringing people together since 2013. Pete studied at SUNY Buffalo and the Universität Würzburg, earning BAs in German and Linguistics as well as a master's degree in Library and Information Science. He speaks German, enjoys cooking, and sells Pampered Chef products.