My time in Germany was enriched by Schwulenberatung Berlin’s insight on LGBTI* initiatives needed in long-term care facilities and beyond. I am grateful for this organization and the work they are doing to ensure care facilities, in general, are more inclusive and safe for everyone. They are currently working on a new iteration of the Seal, but this is the one they have for the public.
Quality Seal Lebensort Vielfalt® Diversity Check:
Above is a brochure that can also be found here on the Diversity Check that they’ve created and continue to revise to be more holistic. For me, this guide ensures we are breaking down the binary structures within the system. The wording ‘chosen family’ is hardly seen in medical papers or even conversations, but the reality is that many people in LGBTI* communities and others do not have blood family who is caring for them, and if they do they might prefer a chosen family member they created. They are currently working on a new diversity seal that includes ethnic and cultural awareness for the 2023-2024 cycle. I was able to visit one of the care facilities that received their seal. It was incredible to hear from Ralf about their work to ensure equality and inclusivity throughout their care home. He is in charge of running certain educational sessions and ensuring they are providing a more inclusive environment for their residents.
LBGTI* Flat of Eight Gay Men
An incredible organization that is changing the narrative of aging for LGBTI* folk in Germany. I am eternally grateful for Marcel De Groot’s introduction to his colleague Dieter Schmidt. They were very supportive in helping me understand how this organization works and the services offered to the public.
Dieter showed me the care home that has eight gay men and their model of care. It was such a unique model. As it balances the institutional with the deinstitutional model. What I mean by this is that they are a care home, but allow the person to get about their own rhythm and have certain programmed activities. Additionally, the current residents typically decide who will be the new resident as it’s a shared space.
I was deeply moved when I saw two men who use a wheelchair and one was stronger than the other and poured him a cup of water. He then signaled to me later to serve him more as he knew I did not speak German. Again, how are we creating space where we are able to help one another? We need to build community within our care home and leverage our strengths.
Additionally, one of them made a “gay joke” and it was very normal. This is the first time where I realized that in certain spaces some phrases might be seen as inappropriate or not allowed yet it is part of life. Sex and sexual desire do not go away as one ages and in various care homes I’ve visited this tends to not be a topic of conversation or is not allowed. I have also seen how some staff might feel uncomfortable, but here in this care home, it is normal and everyone seems to understand one another and the jokes.
They tend to have some activities set up, but they also respect the resident’s desires of how they want to live their lives. Therefore, they do not have a strict program to follow but rather offer certain events, and then the residents themselves spearhead what they would like to do.
Another unique thing about this care home is that the residents offer suggestions on who will be the next resident to ensure they are compatible with each other to continue to build that community in the care home. This was the first time where I heard that older adults are part of the discussion on who can come into these spaces. Again, how are we creating space to hear our older adults and not simply make them conform to the situation? This is a very unique situation that is able to occur given the numbers of residents they have.
Program of the Discussion Group Anders Altern Every Monday
Monday evening is the men’s support group. I had the opportunity to attend one session and met a group of around 10 older men and it was incredibly rewarding. One of them is a photographer and was taking photos. Others spoke English and we were conversing. In a way, it showed me the importance of aging with the community. I appreciated this unique group because they are all gay and able to joke around. They made jokes about me but it was beautiful as I did not get offended because I understood what they were saying. How do we train our staff to be inclusive and open to change? This for me is unique because typically someone might be offended.
They offered me several pieces of advice and affirmed how this weekly gathering gave them purpose and an outlet to continue to be part of society. I was deeply honored when I had the opportunity to talk to Malfred and gain his advice. Look at one of his reflections below:
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#TransgenderFirstCollege Scholarship
I didn’t always have the language for who I was. For a long time, I just knew that moving through schools, forms, classrooms, and institutions felt heavier than it seemed for others. As a nonbinary student, navigating education has never been just about grades or ambition; it has been about survival, safety, and figuring out whether a space would allow me to exist fully, honestly, and without apology.
College is often framed as a place of possibility. But for many transgender students, it is also a place of constant calculation. Will my name be respected on the roster? Will housing feel safe? Can I afford tuition if my family support disappeared after I came out? What happens if my job discriminates against me? These questions don’t disappear once you’re admitted, they follow you into every semester.
One of the biggest barriers transgender students face is financial instability. Trans people are disproportionately affected by employment discrimination, underemployment, and job insecurity. When you rely on hourly work to pay tuition or rent, a single schedule cut or hostile workplace can derail your entire education. For students who lose parental support after coming out, college becomes even more precarious. FAFSA forms don’t account for estrangement easily. Emergency funds are often limited. Scholarships rarely ask the right questions, or ask them safely.
Housing is another quiet but powerful obstacle. Gendered housing policies force many trans students into unsafe or uncomfortable living situations, or into off-campus housing that is far more expensive. Some students couch-surf. Others commute long distances. The emotional toll of never feeling settled directly affects academic performance, mental health, and retention.
Then there’s the exhaustion of self-advocacy. Correcting professors. Explaining your identity. Navigating health insurance that may not cover gender-affirming care. Filling out forms that don’t reflect who you are. None of this shows up on a transcript, but it takes time, energy, and focus away from learning.
As a first-generation, low-income, nonbinary student, I’ve had to make choices that many of my peers never think about, taking lighter course loads, delaying certificates, working part-time instead of fully immersing myself in school, simply to stay afloat. These are not failures of motivation. They are structural barriers. And yet, transgender students persist. We build community where institutions fall short. We mentor one another. We share resources quietly in group chats. We learn how to ask for help even when it feels risky. The resilience of trans students is extraordinary, but resilience should not be a prerequisite for education.
That’s why scholarships like TransgenderFirst matter so deeply. Not just because of the financial support, but because they send a powerful message: you belong here. You are seen. Your education is worth investing in. Access to college shouldn’t depend on how well you can endure discrimination, financial strain, or isolation. It should depend on curiosity, commitment, and care for the world you want to shape. Transgender students are researchers, artists, caregivers, engineers, teachers, and future leaders. When we are supported, our impact ripples outward to our families, our communities, and generations to come.
If we truly believe in equity in education, we have to start by listening to transgender students and removing the barriers that make college harder than it ever needs to be.
You can learn more about how TransgenderFirst is working to change this, and how to support transgender students nationwide, here: https://www.transgenderfirst.com
