Abstract

This qualitative study investigated the impact of the perceived value of participating in a coffee group gathering in the lives of an older adult LGBTQ+ population using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach. In collaboration with community center leaders, group facilitators, coffee group members, and academic researchers from three institutions, the study sought to understand the group’s value to its participants. Focus groups in two locations identified five central themes: safety & healing, filling a void, overcoming the sense of diminishment, lived experience, and social empowerment. These themes highlighted how the gatherings fostered a sense of safety, healing, and helping fill a social void. They also provided insights into how the participants overcame feelings of social diminishment. The study also revealed that these meetings significantly enhanced the members’ feelings of connection, validation, and empowerment, addressing critical issues of exclusion and unmet social needs. The findings stress that such community gatherings enhance the quality of life and social integration for older LGBTQ+ adults.