NJHSA Joins Summit on LGBT Senior Hunger

NJHSA Washington Representative Mindy Brodsky participated in a summit on hunger among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBT) older adults, hosted by MAZON and SAGE. Did you know that LGBT Seniors are 60% more likely to experience food insecurity than their non-LGBT peers, and are less likely to seek out medical providers, meal programs, and other assistance programs out of fear of anti-LGBT discrimination, even though they experience illness at higher rates than their straight counterparts? Many of our agencies focus on hunger, seniors, and LGBT discrimination in the social safety net; joining a national summit on this topic is just one way NJHSA can facilitate and participate in discussions of these important issues at the national level. In August, NJHSA hosted a webinar for member agencies on promoting policies to reduce food insecurity, particularly by protecting SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), as well. If your agency works in this area, and would like to participate in future events of this nature, please reach out to NJHSA’s Washington Representative Mindy Brodsky.