MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the LGBTQ+ community throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.
Profiles of these leaders will be published through the rest of February. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Age: 65
Community: Boston
Her story: Gretchen Van Ness is the first executive director of LGBTQ Senior Housing, Inc. – a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating LGBTQ welcome, and safe, affordable housing for seniors. She has served on numerous boards and associations as an LGBTQ+ leader and advocate.
Van Ness is passionate about creating a safe, affordable, living space for LGBTQ+ seniors.
She graduated with her doctorate in law from Boston College in 1988. Shortly after graduating, she opened an independent litigation practice in Boston focused on employment discrimination, civil rights and serving the LGBTQ community.
“Everything I’ve learned fighting for racial justice and equity, for women’s rights, for disability rights, and for the LGBTQ+ community … has come together in this history-making work at LGBTQ Senior Housing,” said Van Ness.
“Our work is to create home and community where LGBTQ+ elders are celebrated and can age in place as their fabulous and authentic selves.”
Van Ness has served as an LGBTQ+ representative in and out of the courtroom.
She represented the Town of Provincetown when Governor Mitt Romney declared that any town clerk who issued a marriage license to an out-of-state same sex couple was violating the law, and was the first woman and openly gay person to run for state Representative in Hyde Park.
“The challenges we face in every community today are daunting and feel overwhelming, but everyone — every single person can do something that will make a difference,” said Van Ness. “No one in Boston was building affordable senior housing for the LGBTQ+ community until our co-founders Aileen Montour and Philippe Saad met and started working together.”
She said 2024 is a significant year for LGBTQ Senior Housing, Inc., as the organization is preparing to open its first LGBTQ+ affordable, senior-housing in New England: The Pryde and our Community Center in Hyde Park.
“Even in Massachusetts many LGBTQ+ members are harassed, shunned and forced back into the closet in senior communities,” said Van Ness, “where both residents and staff can be homophobic.”
Pryde and our Community Center in Hyde Part will create “much needed community space for both the LGBTQ+ community and the Hyde Park community,” with its addition of 74 mixed-income apartments.
In her words: “There’s no single right way to pitch in and there’s no silver bullet in the work of creating a more just, kind and equitable world … Find what resonates and makes the most sense for you and if you don’t find it, find your people and create it!”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
