Why US libraries are on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis; The Guardian, January 24, 2023

 MacKenzie Ryan, The Guardian; Why US libraries are on the frontlines of the homelessness crisis

"“Many libraries have added social workers to their staff,” said Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada, the American Library Association president, citing a trend that started in the past decade...

When Dowd trains library staff on de-escalation tactics, he hears a lot of comments like, “They didn’t teach me this stuff in library school,” he said. He says he teaches library staff to focus on the behavior they’re seeing. If someone is unhoused and caused a problem, then they have to deal with it. If a multimillionaire is in the library causing a problem, they also have to deal with it.""

Chicago's first LGBT retirement center: 'Here, people would come to my aid'; Guardian, 12/1/15

Zach Stafford, Guardian; Chicago's first LGBT retirement center: 'Here, people would come to my aid' :

"In the US, many organizations are preparing for what has been dubbed the “silver tsunami”, referring to the the ageing of the Baby Boom generation. As a result, senior-living and affordable-housing sectors face a large influx of people in need, creating strain on these services.

And within this tsunami, a rainbow has emerged: a realization that to be both LGBT and elderly is to be potentially more vulnerable to health barriers, isolation and homelessness compared with non-LGBT elders. In response culturally sensitive facilities, like the Town Hall apartments in Chicago, are opening."

Evan Wolfson: What’s Next in the Fight for Gay Equality; New York Times, 6/26/15

Evan Wolfson, New York Times; Evan Wolfson: What’s Next in the Fight for Gay Equality:

"The classic pattern in our history is that when opponents fail to block civil rights gains, they try to subvert them, often abusing the banner of religion. But the American people know that religious freedom is protected in the Constitution and is fully compatible with civil rights. A Public Religion Research Institute poll reports that 60 percent oppose special carve-outs for businesses trying to discriminate, even under the guise of religion.

In addition to the political and legal work, the movement must focus on cultural acceptance. That includes combating the bullying and homelessness that too many young people endure, as well as ensuring that seniors can age with dignity and not be forced back into the closet. The real goal, after all, is not just good law, but good lives.

Happily, the freedom to marry will be a gift that keeps on giving. The transformative power of seeing couples marry — and the empathy that inspires — will energize us advocates as we keep pushing toward the more perfect union America promises.

Getting our country to where it needs to be won’t be easy; winning marriage equality certainly wasn’t. While the campaign I lead — led! — has now succeeded and will close its doors, the work of our movement, and the broader quest for justice, is far from over."