New Westminster’s Seniors Gay Straight Alliance builds community through connection and dance

Rob Hughes believes in the power of safe spaces. As chair of Century House’s Seniors Gay Straight Alliance, he and his group build community for older adults in New Westminster, inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

“When we were starting out, we used the model of a high school gay straight alliance,” says Hughes. “No one who walks through our doors is pressured to declare how they identify. We want this to be a place for everybody.”

Founded in 2012, the group at Century House was the first seniors’ gay straight alliance in Canada. It now serves as a model for others. “We get calls from groups across Canada who are looking to start their own alliance,” says Hughes. “It’s nice to be able to claim that we were the first, but we don’t want to be the only one. Our hope is to provide an example for other communities.”

Meeting monthly, the group offers a space for community members to come together, share stories and experiences, build friendships, and access personal supports and resources.

“We have a few members who were in long-term same-sex relationships who lost their partners, and they were feeling isolated and grieving,” says Hughes. “We offer support and connection with other people in the community, and connections with QMUNITY—B.C.’s queer resource centre—and the Living Out Visible Engaged (LOVE) Community Response Network.”

Pre-pandemic, the group also partnered with New Westminster Secondary School’s Gay Straight Alliance on different events and initiatives.

“Before COVID-19, we had a number of meetings together where we watched films, shared stories of coming out, and held holiday get-togethers,” says Wendy Johnson, seniors’ alliance member. “We were about to begin a joint story series on coming out, where seniors would interview youth, and youth interview seniors. We are hoping to get it restarted in the fall.”

With New Westminster’s Pride Week also coming up, the alliance is gearing up for its yearly festivity: the Pride Hoedown, for which it received a Vancouver Foundation neighbourhood small grant. The event features square dancing, two-stepping, and line dancing.

“All abilities are welcome,” says Johnson. “We’ll have experienced callers who will take us through the steps.”

Both Hughes and Johnson expect the event to attract a diverse and enthusiastic crowd.

“In the past, I’ve danced with Mayor Cote and Peter Julien,” says Hughes. “And we’ve just had [New Westminster MLA Jennifer Whiteside RSVP that she’ll be attending too.”

While not mandatory, getting creative with dancing and attire is both encouraged and celebrated.

“I’ll be there with my rainbow cowboy hat,” says Hughes.

For anyone nervous about taking part, Hughes has this advice: “Just follow the directions and you can’t go wrong. I have two left feet and am not very well coordinated. If I can do it, anyone can.”

The Seniors Gay Straight Alliance Pride Hoedown takes place Tuesday, Aug. 9 from 1-3pm. at Century House. Light refreshments will be available. Registration not required.

The Seniors Gay Straight Alliance meets the second Wednesday of every month from 1–2:30pm. Current meetings are held virtually due to COVID-19 precautions. For more information or to join, email Ron Hughes at [email protected]

Vanessa Woznow is a communications consultant, storyteller, and improv teacher. When not at the computer or on the stage, you can find her at the farmers market with her daughter or running the never-ending hills of New Westminster, the city she is lucky to call her home.