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Q & A with Rainbow Elders Calgary

August 2024

Interviewed by Celeste Pang


Donna Thorsten (she/her) is a cisgender woman and an out and proud lesbian. Donna works as a Palliative Care Nurse and at a hospice in Calgary. She is also the Manager of the Rainbow Elders Calgary, a volunteer-run 50+ 2SLGBTQ+ social/support group.

What is Rainbow Elders Calgary? When did your group form, and what do you do?

Rainbow Elders Calgary was formed in 2018 and one of our main focuses was to provide a safe space for older members of the queer community. The first meetups were very tentative for many attendees. Some had never spoken up about who they actually were, and many had closeted themselves for a long time. It was an interesting dynamic, people being able to voice their true self in a group of their peers. Very rewarding!

We were hearing of so many cases of older queer members going back into the closet because they didn’t feel safe or welcomed in their assisted living or care center. We never wanted any of our older community to feel isolated. Recently, to try to help this problem, our group has had discussions with care center providers to make them aware. We give presentations to residents within these facilities, which can be a very meaningful discussion. We try to gain allyship or at least an informed respect for our marginalized community.

We also have social events such as coffee meetups, Retro dances, bird watching and picnics in the park. It gives us an opportunity to be with other seniors and be our authentic selves.

2. Rainbow Elders Calgary hosts a range of intergenerational and politically engaged events. Can you describe two of the events that you have hosted this year?

Two of our events I am very proud of this year was our Trans Day of Visibility Swim at Mount Royal College and our MLA Event held in June at the Kerby Centre. Each had a unique connection to different groups in our community. The swim event was a huge success with over 100 friends and families of the trans community attending. The MLA event with Lizette Tejada [MLA for Calgary-Klein] brought out a diverse group of community organizers, political allies and Rainbow Elders. She was very informative and well versed on LGBTQ+ issues.

3. Nation-wide there is increasing anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiment. How are your members feeling about the current situation in Alberta?

It is sad to see that so many members of our community are being targeted by increased homophobia and transphobia. A lot of the misinformation comes from the UCP [United Conservative Party] government who is outright bullying trans youth. It makes a difference when the government leads the hate against the community. It always seems we take one step forward and two steps back with any progressive action for our marginalized groups. Many of us remember Stonewall, Calgary’s first Pride Parade, and the AIDs crisis. We know how hate and misinformation can be used against specific groups in our community. We never want this to happen again. We have to stand up against this transphobia and hate and with one strong voice say, “Enough is enough, leave our trans youth alone.”

 4. What is the role of 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults in addressing anti-2SLGBTQIA+ actions in this province? What lessons have you learned that could be useful for today’s organizing?

I think as an older member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, I have the responsibility to write to my MLA, my MP and my Premier to let them know I will not stand idly by while they hurt the trans community. I am fortunate enough that I can send financial support so we can take this fight to court. Each of us has to take it upon ourselves to help in the best way we can.

I am always amazed at how organized some groups are these days. They take full advantage of social media and use it in an amazing way. I am old school and still call my friends on the phone. So, I tip my hat to today’s organizers who do such a wonderful job. It’s a whole new world out there and I am learning more from the youth about organizing than I ever knew before.

5. Where can people learn more about Rainbow Elders Calgary?

All these new ways of connecting! They can find us on: