At Houston’s First LGBTQ+ Senior Center, Lunchtime Is for Building Community | Eater

"Located on Cleburne Street in Houston’s historic Third Ward and opened in 2021, this sleek midrise senior living facility—complete with a dog park, gym, and the Annise Parker Multipurpose Room—serves as the city’s only residence intentionally focused on supporting aging LGBTQ+ adults while remaining open to all income-qualified residents 62 and older. Weekday congregate meals delivered by Baker Ripley are lively and social (examples include King Ranch casserole with steamed vegetables and an iconic Little Debbie Nutty Buddy for dessert) and are planned with a registered dietitian to meet low-sodium, low-calorie needs; nonresidents 60+ can also sign up for a free hot meal. Residents benefit from in-unit kitchens, an emergency pantry stocked by the Houston Food Bank, biweekly produce boxes from Common Market, rescued meals and pop-up groceries from Second Servings, transportation and social services, and community programming that links elders with younger queer groups, Boy Scouts garden projects, and local organizations. The atmosphere is unapologetically queer-centric—the space is decked with trans pride flags and rainbows and staff are explicit about maintaining an affirming environment—while remaining intergenerational and mixed in its population; programming and daily meals are used intentionally to combat loneliness, food insecurity, and displacement pressures caused by gentrification, helping longtime residents stay in neighborhoods they helped build." - Amy McCarthy