At Vivalon, creating spaces of belonging, connection and support for older adults is central to our mission. This PRIDE month, we’re proud to shine a light on the work of Bill Blackburn, a lifelong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and the transformative connections fostered through the LGBTQ+ Older Adult Discussion Group he leads at Vivalon.
Bill’s journey as an advocate began during the early days of the AIDS epidemic. Already active in peace and social justice movements, he turned his attention to the urgent needs of the LGBTQ+ community in the late 1970s.
“I got involved in organizing around the lesbian and gay community, starting a hotline and doing prevention work,” Bill recalls. Over the decades, this commitment evolved and deepened, eventually bringing him to Marin eight years ago, where he continued to champion connection and community for LGBTQ+ older adults.
When he arrived in Marin, Bill didn’t know any local members of the LGBTQ+ community. He soon joined a discussion group organized by the Spahr Center, eventually taking over leadership of a monthly meeting in Corte Madera. The COVID-19 pandemic posed new challenges, but Bill rose to the occasion, leading virtual groups twice a week to ensure LGBTQ+ older adults stayed informed, connected, and uplifted during those isolating times.
After the Spahr Center closed its in-person programming, Bill partnered with Vivalon to continue this vital work. Supported by a grant from the County of Marin, he now leads three monthly groups: the LGBTQ+ Older Adult Discussion Group, a fun event gathering, and a Grandparents Support Group for older adults who want to better understand and support LGBTQ+ family members.
At each discussion group, Bill provides thoughtful topics that invite participants to share meaningful stories and memories, from childhood reflections to significant life experiences. “Studies show that when older adults feel unseen and isolated, it impacts their mental and physical health,” he says. “We’re creating a space where people can be seen, known, and understood.”
“Many LGBTQ+ older adults have spent much of their lives navigating discrimination,” Bill says. “Even with all of the advances we have made in equity and inclusion, they’re still hyper-vigilant, concerned that they may not be welcome in traditional spaces for older adults.”
Bill shares that he has heard countless stories of people feeling they had to go back in the closet when entering residential programs after a lifetime of fighting for the right to be out. “Running these groups through Vivalon lets people know they will be welcome here, and that they can take advantage of everything Vivalon offers,” Bill says.
The group has become a lifeline for many, especially those who have felt isolated or wary of mainstream programs for older adults. “One participant came out at 79. Another is a trans person who came out just a few years ago,” Bill shares. “We’ve seen how important it is for people to be able to show up as themselves, free of judgment.”
For Bill, PRIDE month is both a celebration and a call to action. “PRIDE is about affirming our identity, our history, and our right to live authentically,” he says. “But it’s also a time to reflect on how much work there still is to do, especially in the face of ongoing backlash against trans people and the LGBTQ+ community more broadly.”
Vivalon’s Program Coordinator, Clare Sackson, who helped launch the LGBTQ+ older adult programming, shares Bill’s vision. “The fact that this group is hosted at Vivalon sends an important message: this is your place, too,” Clare says. “We see older adults gathering for lunch in the Vivalon Café before or after the group. It’s amazing to watch new friendships forming and people feeling at home.”
Bill’s impact stretches far beyond the walls of Vivalon. “Empathy is key,” he says. “The broader community can support LGBTQ+ older adults by seeking to understand our journeys, by seeing that our relationships are built on love, not just sexual orientation. Give us a chance to be known.”
At Vivalon, we’re honored to walk alongside Bill and the many LGBTQ+ older adults who find connection, understanding, and belonging here. This PRIDE month, and every month, we celebrate the courage, friendship and richness they bring to our community.
PRIDE AROUND MARIN
SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 12-9PM: Marin City Pride
FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 20-22: Sausalito Pride
SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 11AM: Pride Drag Lunch Benefitting Marin LGBTQ+ Center
(Community Congregational Church, 145 Rock Hill Dr, Tiburon)
THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 11:30AM-1:30PM: Pride Luncheon
(Vivalon, 333 Third St, San Rafael)
SATURDAY, JULY 5, 11AM-5PM: Pride Day at Marin County Fair
