Letter To The Editor | AARP Is A Diamond Sponsor Of ‘St. Croix Pride’ Events

Dear Editor,

In The Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and across the United States, AARP works to enhance the quality of life for all as we age. To that end, we are creating a culturally proficient and competent LGBT member experience by connecting to communities, driving awareness, and improving our organizational understanding of the needs of LGBT stakeholders. Consequently, AARP is proud to be a Diamond Sponsor of the St. Croix Pride events during the month of June, including the Gay Pride Parade which will take place on St. Croix on Saturday, June 9, 2018.

AARP’s unwavering commitment to the LGBT community reflects our core belief in the dignity, worth, and potential of every individual. We reject discrimination based on a person’s age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We see diversity as a source of strength. For us, LGBT communities are a vital part of the quilt of American life.

Our commitment can be measured by what we say—and what we do. In our policy work at the community, state, and national levels, as we collaborate with other organizations serving multicultural communities, in our role as an employer, as a purchaser of supplies, as an active participant in community events, we are proud to stand with LGBT members, non-members, allies and other critical stakeholders.

With almost 900,000 of our nearly 38 million members self-identifying as LGBT, AARP may have one of the largest constituencies of LGBT members among US membership organizations. AARP works closely with SAGE (Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders), Lambda Legal, The Victory Fund Institute, Center for Black Equity, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, and the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

At AARP, we work hard every day to fight for and equip individuals to live their best lives. “What we do, we do for all” is a guiding principle articulated by our founder, distinguished educator Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, and we proudly carry it forward.

Submitted on Friday by: Troy de Chabert-Schuster (seen in feature image), state director of AARP USVI.