Three members of the Congressional Equality Caucus introduced the Elder Pride Act, a new piece of legislation aimed at improving resources for older LGBTQ+ Americans living in rural areas. Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI), Sharice Davids (D-KS), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), who chairs the caucus’s LGBTQI+ Aging Issues Task Force, spearheaded the initiative to address significant gaps in services for this vulnerable population. The Elder Pride Act proposes updates to the Older Americans Act to better support LGBTQ+ seniors, especially those living with HIV. Key provisions of the bill include establishing a rural grant program to fund cultural competency training for service providers, enhancing connections between LGBTQ+ older adults and local services, expanding nondiscrimination policies, and providing resources on sexual health and aging. This initiative aims to tackle barriers such as geography, cost, insufficient broadband infrastructure, a lack of specialized providers, and stigma. The bill also has the support of Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), who criticized Republicans last fall for removing funding for an LGBTQ+ elder housing project in Boston. Conversely, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) of the far-right Freedom Caucus opposed the project, claiming it discriminated against straight people. #Queer Up Health