In a cozy corner of the Anchorage Senior Activity Center, laughter echoed through an open door on a quiet Thursday morning. Inside, a vibrant gathering of the Alaska Rainbow Elders enjoyed pastries and homemade cucumber sandwiches, engaging in conversations that ranged from personal health updates to current events, including discussions about the Trump administration’s controversial decision to remove the names of civil rights leaders from naval ships.
This dynamic group of approximately 20 LGBTQ+ individuals, primarily in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, has cultivated a space for socialization, education, and support over the last decade. As they navigate the challenges of aging, they find solace in each other’s company.
Julie Schmidt, the 77-year-old director of the group, shared her insights: “People are always worried about youth and coming out and the struggles they have to deal with. They forget that there’s a whole generation of elders that suddenly may have to go back in the closet because of living circumstances or lack of family support… Many of us do not have children. ”
This sentiment underscores the importance of community among the members, who are primarily retirees with diverse backgrounds. Among them are lawyers, teachers, a burlesque dancer, a heavy equipment operator, a sociologist, and a library clerk, among others. They reside in Anchorage and the Valley, with the exception of Steve Kramer, who joins the group during visits from Bristol Bay.
Kramer, 71, expressed the difference that Alaska Rainbow Elders has made in his life. “They don’t want anything from me, other than my friendship,” he said, highlighting the genuine connections formed within the group.
The Alaska Rainbow Elders engage in a variety of activities, from day trips and movie outings to attending Pride events in June. Weekly coffee meetups often feature book exchanges, sharing of resources, and mutual support as they navigate health challenges together.
At a recent meeting, member Lyn Franks even invited the group to her upcoming birthday celebration.
The LGBTQ+ community in Anchorage hasn’t always been distinctly divided by age. When Schmidt and her wife Gayle Schuh relocated to Anchorage from Illinois in the early 2000s, local nonprofit Identity Inc. hosted events for queer individuals of all ages. However, as time went on, the interests and needs of the older members became apparent.
Schmidt noted the shift: “The 55-plus crowd preferred coffee meetings over bars, and health became a focus of conversation. ” Group members began discussing topics like medical needs and support. ”Does anybody have a walker?” or “Who knows a doctor that…?” became common inquiries. They found themselves seeking rides after procedures and assistance finding assisted living arrangements that would cater to their feelings of safety and acceptance.
With a founding date of 2014, the Alaska Rainbow Elders has undergone name changes, initially known as “A little gay, a little gray,” then SAGE, indicating their affiliation with the national nonprofit Services and Advocacy for Gay Elders. Regardless of the name, their mission has remained consistent: to ensure that older LGBTQ+ Alaskans can relish life with a sense of community, safety, and dignity.
Monthly guest speakers add variety to their gatherings, but more often than not, the weekly meetings resemble those of comfortable friends catching up on life’s happenings. Recently, members were informed that a longtime member who had suffered a partial stroke was recovering well.
“We keep tabs on people,” Schmidt explained, sipping coffee from a rainbow-stickered insulated cup. “Like, if somebody is sick, or hasn’t been there for a while, we check up on them.”
Julie Schmidt and Gayle Schuh shared a quiet moment in their Eagle River home, their diamond rings gleaming in the afternoon light—a testament to nearly 25 years of companionship. They recognize that many of their peers lack the kind of support they have.
Statistics indicate that LGBTQ+ older individuals are twice as likely to be single and four times less likely to have children, according to SAGE. In Alaska, where harsh winters and remote geography can exacerbate feelings of isolation, the presence of a peer group becomes crucial.
Group members also connect through their shared history of growing up in a time when LGBTQ+ rights were severely limited. Doug Frank, 75, revealed, “It was dangerous to be identified as gay and lesbian when we were first coming out. You could lose your job, literally, and you could be discriminated against. You could be killed.”
Having moved to Alaska with the Air Force in 1974, Frank spent his career as a planner for oil company ARCO while also advocating for gay rights. He volunteered for the AIDS Quilt Foundation and facilitated educational initiatives centered on HIV and AIDS awareness.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt, a vast community artwork paying tribute to those who lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses, reached Anchorage thanks to Frank’s efforts in 1989. He understood the power of this art form in fostering difficult conversations about mortality and human sexuality.
Growing up in Illinois during the 1950s and 60s, Schmidt recalled a time before public figures like Ellen DeGeneres emerged, noting her search for understanding. “I looked in the library. I looked everywhere I could think of, but we didn’t have any Ellen at the time. We didn’t have anyone to show us the way,” she said.
Now, however, she blazes a trail for future generations. In 2014, the couple took legal action against Alaska for denying same-sex couples equal access to property tax exemptions—and they won.
Beyond the financial benefit, the victory represented an acknowledgment of their relationship, affirming their status as more than just roommates. “We were equal,” Schuh explained, emphasizing the legal recognition received by same-sex couples.
Despite social progress over the decades, members of the Rainbow Elders have expressed heightened concerns about safety and acceptance under the Trump administration. Discussions at meetings reflect anxiety over recent executive orders aimed at transgender individuals, civil rights, and diversity initiatives in the federal government.
“Here we go again,” they lamented, recognizing the familiar challenges they face.
In Kincaid Park, a sunny afternoon hosted a joyful gathering as Franks celebrated her 70th birthday. Her band, Arctic Diamonds, performed, while attendees brought homemade food and enjoyed each other’s company under colorful decorations.
Pillow, a 69-year-old retired burlesque dancer and bodybuilder, noted, “We’re family.” With the bond they share and the challenges associated with aging, she recognizes the critical importance of the support network offered by the Alaska Rainbow Elders. “I rank four members as besties,” she added joyfully as they immersed themselves in the festivities.
The Alaska Rainbow Elders serve as a vital community resource, retaining both a celebration of life and a platform for addressing the unique needs of older LGBTQ+ individuals in a world that still presents obstacles to their dignity and safety.
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