• Skip to main content
Family Eldercare

Family Eldercare

  • Join Us
    • Our History
    • Leadership
    • Careers
    • Financial and Tax Information
  • Impact
    • Overview
    • Housing and Community Services
    • Health and Wellness
    • Advocacy and Outreach
  • News
  • Events
    • Overview
    • Amplify Austin Day
    • 80 over Eighty
    • Fan Parade
    • Fans 4 Paws
    • Holiday Giving Drive
  • Contact
  • Donate

Celebrating the Qmmunity: LGBT National History Month & Rainbow Connections ATX

By Debra Heater

October 24, 2022

Note for readers: LGBTQIA2+ is an umbrella acronym that covers the broad spectrum of the community (or Qmmunity) that includes Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, and many other affirming ways people self-identify.

The year was 2009. A historic year. Maybe you remember it as the year Barack Obama was sworn in as the first African American President of the United States or the year Michael Jackson passed away. But you may not know about another significant event that happened: In 2009, President Obama declared October LGBT National History month. Now, October stands as a month-long observance of the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.

Why October? According to a GLAAD blog: “LGBT History Month began in 1994, when Rodney Wilson, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history, and gathered other teachers and community leaders. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (October 11), occur that month.”

Please join Family Eldercare in recognizing the achievements and contributions of our own Qmmunity over the years. They have led to the creation of our newest program – Rainbow Connections ATX (RCATX). It all started in 2010 when then director of in-home care and caregiver services for Family Eldercare, Kathleen Coggin, launched Austin Gay and Lesbian Senior Services (AGLSS). Between 2011 and 2020, this Family Eldercare service provided open and accepting social services, training, a resource guide, and advocacy to meet the unique needs of the LGBTQIA2+ older adult community and their caregivers.

Next, Family Eldercare partnered with the Austin LGBTQIA2+ Elder Task Force (ETF), a nonprofit established in 2017. ETF was guided by the vision of bringing services and advocacy resources to LGBTQIA2+ older adults in the Austin area. Cofounders, World Famous *BOB* and Richard Bondi, brought the Qmmunity together with more than 100 ETF-sponsored events across the Austin-area.

After years of advocacy and partnership, AGLSS merged with ETF to form Rainbow Connections ATX. It was all made possible through funding from St. David’s Foundation and the Moody Foundation.

In May 2022, World Famous *BOB* and Richard officially joined Family Eldercare to help launch RCATX alongside the leadership of Joyce Hefner, RCATX director, and Cheryl Young, RCATX program manager. Their goal is to support the older LGBTQIA2+ Qmmunity, update the Resource Guide, create an LGBTQIA2+ housing guide, and to continue offering intergenerational events for the LGBTQIA2+ community.

The Mission of Rainbow Connections ATX:

  • To improve the quality and vitality of life for LGBTQIA2+ older adults by providing connections, support, and advocacy in the greater Austin area.
  • RCATX celebrates its official launch on Sunday, Nov. 13. We are so excited to showcase our programs, events, resources, and the amazing staff that is RCATX. 
  • We are extremely proud of our history and impact on the Central Texas Qmmunity.

To contact us or learn more, visit our website.

Read More from Family Eldercare

Family Eldercare Statement on the Murder of Tyre Nichols

On Jan. 8, 2023, 29-year-old father Tyre Nichols was taken into police custody in Memphis after a traffic stop. Videos show he was violently beaten, kicked, sprayed in the face with pepper spray, and hit with a police baton while on the ground. He was 100 yards from his home. He died from his injuries …

Point in Time austinecho.org/pit

Join Us for the PIT Count

Family Eldercare staff are gearing up for the 2023 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. Our staff are actively involved and encourage everyone to volunteer their time for this important event. What is the PIT count? Simply put, it is an annual survey of the unhoused across the U.S. In Austin, the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) recruits around 1,000 …

Social Workers make the world a better place

Congratulations to Cheryl Young

Our very own Cheryl Young, LCSW-S, was just named 2022 Social Worker of the Year by Greater Austin Social Workers (GASW). Cheryl’s journey in Social Work has been dedicated to working to improve health, well-being, and supporting people as they navigate changes in the latter stages of life, including end-of-life. Cheryl has been with Family …

Invest in hope and a better 2021 for our community

Donate
St. David's Foundation Logo
Seal of Transparency Gold GuideStar logo
Austin Community Foundation logo
Better Business Bureau logo
Charity Navigator logo

GET IN TOUCH

Main Line: 512.450.0844

Intake & Referrals Line: 512.483.3580

Fax: 512.459.6436
info@familyeldercare.org

Austin
1700 Rutherford Ln.
Austin, TX 78754

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up to receive Family Eldercare News

Sign Up
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Careers